View from Palazzo Madama

After visiting the Lenci Exhibition I went up into the tower above Palazzo Madama to take in the 360 view of the centre of Turin. The great thing was after 5 days of rain the sky was actually blue!

LENCI CERAMICS EXHIBITION

A wonderful exhibition at Palazzo Madama, Piazza Castello, Turin. More photos here.

Description taken from the exhibition catalogue. 

THE LENCI ADVENTURE

Design Ceramics 1927-1937

The Lenci factory in Turin, which was originally known for its dolls and tapestries in "pannolenci" felt, started making ceramic sculptures in 1927.

The exhibition shows a wide selection of these ceramic works, which were designed and sculpted in the first, most fertile period. After 1937 the sculpures were simply repeats of the most successful models.

What made the Lenci factory so original was that it brought together a great variety of artists in the design and creation of its ceramics: the works of Chessa, Sturani, Grande, Tosalli and Scavini are highly personal and instantly recognisable, some more innovative and modern, others more traditional.

Lenci interior design sculptures, which were perfectly suited to middle-class tastes, became highly fashionable and immensely popular at the height of the Deco period.

I particularly loved the work of Mario Sturani, decorative boxes, figures dancing on the handles of bowls and numerous frivolous objects show his originality and ironic creative style. The work of Adele Jacopi was also interesting with pieces portraying famous women of the time namely Marlene Dietrich, and "signorine grandi firme" by Elena Scavini showing fashion tendencies such as femmine figures at the sea or in the mountains. 

Great inspiration for me I hope to post sketchbook doodles SOON!  

One-off Gift Cards

I found some lovely flower stickers the other day. They have a raised foam circle in the centre which makes them stand off from the backgrounds. In a couple of days I whizzed up these little gift cards (60mm x 90mm), the nice thing about them is they are all one-offs, I managed to make twenty cards with the stickers I had, when I returned to buy more they had sold out... no more stickers no more cards! 

If and when I open an Etsy shop these are the type of things I would like to sell, but for now I am content selling them in a very posh gift shop in Turin.    

Nice and Fancy

After one month of trying to find a name for my blog (the titles I had set my heart on were annoyingly not available), I've decided on "Nice and Fancy", so at least now I can get on with the job! 

You'll be hearing from me very soon!