Michelangelo Consani on Ceramics, Fluxus, and Sustainability
In an interview conducted by Irene Biolchini, Michelangelo Consani, born in Livorno in 1971, elaborates on his work with ceramics. Initially trained in glass at the Istituto Statale d'Arte in Pisa, he transitioned to ceramics in 2000, partnering with ceramist Roberto Cerbai. Over their two-decade collaboration, they produced two notable projects: a leaf and a platinum-glazed paperweight named 'Variazione da fermacarte.' Following Cerbai's passing, Consani teamed up with Lapo Ruggeri to create a white pellet gun and pumpkin portraits representing marginalized individuals. He is currently finalizing a paperweight edition and a pumpkin utilizing Luca della Robbia's glazing method alongside Davide Servadei. His project 'La rivoluzione del filo di paglia,' inspired by Ivan Illich and Masanobu Fukuoka, was showcased at the AICHI Triennale in Nagoya, Japan.
Key facts
- Michelangelo Consani was born in Livorno in 1971.
- He studied glass at Istituto Statale d'Arte in Pisa.
- He began working with ceramics in 2000.
- Roberto Cerbai was his mentor in ceramics.
- Cerbai collaborated with Anish Kapoor, Ilya & Emilia Kabakov, Ettore Spalletti, Marisa Merz, Wim Delvoye, Jan Vercruysse, and Tony Cragg.
- Consani produced only two ceramic projects with Cerbai: a leaf and a paperweight.
- The paperweight 'Variazione da fermacarte' is an homage to Emilio Prini.
- Consani's work references Fluxus, Emilio Prini, Luca della Robbia, Ogata Kenzan, and Roberto Cerbai.
- His sustainable practice is influenced by Ivan Illich and Masanobu Fukuoka.
- He participated in the AICHI Triennale in Nagoya with the project 'La rivoluzione del filo di paglia'.
- He currently collaborates with Davide Servadei of Ceramiche Gatti in Faenza.
Entities
Artists
- Michelangelo Consani
- Roberto Cerbai
- Anish Kapoor
- Ilya Kabakov
- Emilia Kabakov
- Ettore Spalletti
- Marisa Merz
- Wim Delvoye
- Jan Vercruysse
- Tony Cragg
- Emilio Prini
- Lapo Ruggeri
- Marco Ferreri
- Luca della Robbia
- Ogata Kenzan
- Joseph Beuys
- Ivan Illich
- Masanobu Fukuoka
- Akira Tatehata
- Masahiko Haito
- Hinako Kasagi
- Pier Luigi Tazzi
- Jochen Volz
- Irene Biolchini
- Davide Servadei
Institutions
- Istituto Statale d'Arte di Pisa
- White Project (Pescara)
- Pari & Dispari (Reggio Emilia)
- Arte all'Arte / Associazione Arte Continua (San Gimignano)
- AICHI Triennale (Nagoya)
- Ceramiche Gatti (Faenza)
- Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche in Faenza
- University of Malta
- Artribune
Locations
- Livorno
- Italy
- Pisa
- Capalle
- Pescara
- San Gimignano
- Nagoya
- Japan
- Faenza
- Maremma
- Tuscany
- Granada
- Cape Town
- South Africa