EBPC Potter Profiles |
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Igor Carino - Italy
By Igor Carino
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露地 RoJi (The bare ground).
伊悟留造 IGoRuZou (Italian, enlightenment, remain, made by)
A true ambassador of bonsai in Europe, Igor Carino, from Mombercelli, Italy, is an inspirational artist who has dedicated himself to bonsai and suiseki for 20 years. The fascinating and innovative bonsai ceramics of this beloved artist have deservingly been awarded at the highest levels worldwide. Igor has been making bonsai related ceramics for 18 years and also creates ceramic tableware, plates, cups, and teapots. Products are created from a high quality Japanese or French stoneware and fired in a special high temperature wood-fired kiln (1350°C), designed and built by ceramic artist and kiln expert Frederick L. Olsen. A mix between traditional western wood kiln and Japanese kiln.
‘The design of my creations, partly in 3D printing and partly by hand/wheel, is inspired by Japanese craftsmanship and the beauty of nature. In particular, the idea of creating a surface interweaving - a texture that covers both the exterior and the interior of the vase, derives from the Japanese baskets for Ikebana called “hanakago” and from the chiselled Chinese porcelain. To date, there is no type of technology other than ceramic 3D printing to create similar shapes’.
By day, a design director & publisher, Carino’s work has often gone hand in hand with his bonsai and ceramics interests. Over 15 years ago, for example, he undertook work experience at Richard Ginori in Florence, one of the oldest porcelain manufacturing companies in Europe from 1735. Carino also recently took over the Volonterio Publishing house in Milan, one of the oldest in Europe that publishes books dedicated to bonsai and Japanese art. E.g.: "John Yoshio Naka's books, Techniques Bonsai I and II" and "How to create a Pine Bonsai" by Abe Kurakichi.
Igor attended the Bonsai Art School with masters Hideo Suzuki and Keizo Ando, of which he has been vice president since 2007. ’Suiseki is one of my greatest passions. I make and grow Bonsai, Kusamono and Shitakusa. I also enjoy designing and building Japanese gardens and tokonoma’.
‘Right from the start I wanted to "hybridise" the traditional ceramic craftsmanship of Japan, with my world of current innovations in 3D design. The idea was to use my knowledge of 3D modelling associated with the know-how of Bonsai, of ceramics known and studied in Japan since 2004 with the new additive technologies or more simply called 3D Printing. After many unsuccessful attempts, I finally found the printing technology that best suited my needs. A 3D printer with a dedicated extruder and a tank for containing the stoneware (natural and without additives with other substances). And the dream becomes reality ...
Fundamental to being able to create this new production process were the teachings of my master Gyouzan, Nakano Yukizyou in the numerous workshops I did in his laboratory in Tokoname.
In addition to knowing very well the classic production processes of a bonsai pot, the Master made me understand that it is essential to know the needs of the Bonsai that must live in the pot, grow, flower, bear fruit... The famous and beloved "patina" of the vase or more precisely the Jida ga notta, which can be translated as "dressing time" is a fundamental concept of Japanese aesthetics that a true ceramist who makes bonsai vases must know. Asking questions and not giving answers, listening and being ready to change, in the wake of tradition. It is the condition in which I place myself to create my work’.
Another peculiarity with this technology is that pots all turned out to be different. The texture varies at the minimum of pressure difference and from the different consistency of the dough, in short, they are all unique pieces.
In addition, each vase produced in 3D required many hours of subsequent work by hand. But let's not forget the wood firing in my kiln which created the metallic, iridescent colour, finishes like the surfaces of cast iron and corten metal.
I think that this technology should be seen as an integration to all the others known and used for millennia. Like the pottery wheel, the plaster molds, extruder. ... Stagnation is the worst thing!'
The combination of Carino's stylistic research, innovation and traditional fusion, made Carino the first Italian to win the 1st Prize (Gold Medal) at the 17th International Pot Competition at the 47th Gafu-ten in Kyoto. The motivation of the Jury; “Carino created pots never seen before with an innovative and refined design that harmonizes very well with the bonsai, tradition and innovation that coexist”. 'I am super proud and still incredulous to have won the 1st prize, in the end I am just a hobbyist ...'
The EBPC are proud to welcome Igor Carino as a member of the EBPC and delighted to offer some of this artist's creations in the EBPC Online store.
Contact: Alex at the EBPC
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.EuropeanBonsaiPotterCollective.com
Commissions can be requested directly or through us here.
Potter Showcase
Igor Carino
Some examples of works from Igor Carino
Igor Carino's 1st place winning display at the Gafu-ten international pot contest in Japan.
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The 17th International Pot Competition at the 47th Gafu-ten, Kyoto
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Carino pot highlighting the naturally deposited ash glaze.
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An Igor Carino pot on display at Akiten 2021.
Igor Carino's winning entry at the 'Aki Ten Bonsai Ceramic Contest'.
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Igor Carino's display at 'The EBPC Pot Display, at the Trophy Bonsai Exhibition' Belgium 2023.
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Special high temperature wood-fired kiln (1350°C), designed and built by ceramic artist and kiln expert Frederick L. Olsen.
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Inside of the loaded wood-fired kiln.
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Carino glazed pots with "namako" glaze
Pot made in collaboration with Gyouzan for Meifuten 2020 contest.
The ‘European Bonsai Potter Collective’ is brought to you by Alex Rudd and 50+ leading artists – www.EuropeanBonsaiPotterCollective.Com
Member's works will regularly be available for sale in the EBPC Shop
