Ugo La Pietra on Ceramics: Craft vs. Design and the Loss of Making

In an interview with Artribune, Ugo La Pietra, an Italian artist born in 1938 in Bussi sul Tirino, reflects on the renewed fascination with ceramics in modern art and design. He distinguishes between craft and design, pointing out that ceramic artists have often been categorized as engaging in 'minor arts' because of their emphasis on materials. While Caltagirone boasts 250 workshops, traditional hubs like Nove and Albisola are experiencing a downturn. La Pietra criticizes this trend as a 'pernicious fashion' fueled by young designers creating ceramics that fail to sell. He also takes issue with Italian design schools for overlooking manual skills. He champions 'applied art' linked to Genius loci, expressing concern over the decline of Italy's 'primacy of making' and the lack of influential figures such as Enrico Crispolti. The interview was conducted by Irene Biolchini.