Ceramics in Florence: some reflections on crafts and art

Yesterday I visited the Fiera Internazionale della Ceramica (international ceramics exhibition) in Piazza Santissima Annunziata in Florence. It was absolutely amazing, and I plan on going back today to shoot photos and write a full reportage on the event to post on this blog.

Ceramic vase by Paolo Staccioli

I met a variety of artists and had in-depth conversations with a few of them. We discussed the creative process, from inspiration to realization, and address the difficult topic of pricing: how can one price an object that is completely made by hand, and do so by acknowledging both the artists' effort and potential customers' price expectations?

Ceramic vase by Paolo Staccioli

I thought that their price range (5€ for a small coffee cup, up to 800-1000 for a very big decorated vase, but most around 50€) was absolutely fair for the quality of items sold. In fact, I could almost say that I felt that prices could even be a little higher - but would people buy them in that case?

Ceramic vase by Paolo Staccioli

Moreover: how does context affect pricing? If the same objects were in an art gallery, how would their price vary?

The works by Tuscan ceramicist Paolo Staccioli offer some insight. He creates ceramic vases and sculptures, all beautifully decorated and so colourful and bright that an exhibition of his was entitled "Le gioiose ceramiche di Paolo Staccioli" - the joyful ceramics of Paolo Staccioli. And indeed joyful they are! Just looking at his whimsical characters one feels better about life! Men and women either blissful or lost in deep reflection remind us of the poetry and depth of human existence.

Ceramic and metal sculpture by Paolo Staccioli

His vases often feature versions of classical themes, especially horses, their powerful bodies chasing one another on the shiny curved surface.

Ceramic vase by Paolo Staccioli

The exhibition I mentioned was held in 2005-2006 in Palazzo Pitti, and it was groundbreaking not only because one of the most important Florentine museums hosted a form of art considered minor in Italy, but also because it was one of the first times that it showcased works by a living artist!

Ceramic sculpture by Paolo Staccioli

This exhibition raises various important questions, and in particular: what is the difference between Staccioli's work regularly featured in galleries and the work I saw yesterday? And do they justify the extraordinary price difference? Is it a matter of categories, so that Staccioli's work should be considered art, while the other is craft? These questions are intertwined with the issue of pricing.

Ceramic vase by Paolo Staccioli

Being an artist myself, I tend to think that art is characterized by masterful technique combined with valid concept. To have a piece of art you need both: breathtaking technique, but also an idea behind it.
Craft doesn't necessarily involve concept: it is usually beautiful work, but it is mainly driven by technique (and I'm only talking about high quality crafts, of course).

Is this what makes the difference in price? The idea? Or is it location - the fact that a piece of "art" is sold in an art gallery (which automatically gives the object a high status) while craft can be sold in simple locations such as the open air market I visited yesterday?
At the same time, various items I saw yesterday had the qualities I would attribute to a true work of art, so why were they shown in this small fair? Did the craftsman/woman not acknowledge for themselves the identity of artist?

I don't have a clear answer (yet!). But I do know that I fell in love with many objects I saw yesterday, and I am grateful that I can actually afford some of them - while I cannot afford a piece by Staccioli.

At the same time, as I purchased my "Eve" vase from a young Florentine female ceramicist, and I admired its beautiful female form reminiscent of the primitive Venuses I so much love, I felt I should have paid more for it.