Marazzi’s ceramic collections embrace the allure of handcrafted artistry
Marazzi introduces the latest ArtCraft and Slow collections at Milan Design Week 2024, drawing inspiration from the earth’s natural textures and colours.
Kieron is a freelance writer and Digital Consultant who doesn't consider himself a design lover but a user of design - which to him is more than enough.
LinkedinFounded in 1935 in the heart of Sassuolo, the world capital of ceramics, Marazzi stands as a testament to the rich legacy and expertise of its surroundings. In this hub of craftsmanship, the Italian brand embodies the unparalleled mastery and innovation deeply intertwined with the town’s heritage.
With an origin story as impressive as the quality it produces, it’s no surprise that Marazzi has established a presence in over 140 countries, renowned for its superior quality, cutting-edge technology, and commitment to sustainability. These pillars the brand has used to inspire its upcoming exhibit during Milan Design Week 2024.
From 15 – 21 April 2024, the company will debut two groundbreaking projects at the Marazzi showroom, on via Borgogna 2, designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel architects.
As well as the brand’s iconic selection porcelain stoneware, Marazzi will present its Slow & ArtCraft collections, designed to showcase the beauty of terracotta, reimagined for use in contemporary spaces
Slow and ArtCraft Collections
Marazzi’s Slow and ArtCraft collections pay homage to the timeless beauty of terracotta, traditionally associated with rustic aesthetics, but on the occasion of Milan Design Week, undergoing a transformative journey to underline the true potential of these collections.
The Slow and ArtCraft collections rely on a careful balance of traditional craftsmanship and modern technologies, giving terracotta a fresh look and enabling applications never attempted before.
A synthesis of tradition and modernity, Slow simulates hand-rammed clays that are intentionally uneven and embrace their flaws. Characterised by its unique patterning and textures, the collection evokes a sense of warmth and authenticity, reminiscent of Mediterranean heritage. Again, through the innovative use of 3D Ink Premium technology, each tile boasts a distinct personality, creating dynamic visual effects that enhance the overall ambiance of any space.
“With the aid of the 3D Ink Premium technology, the Slow collection offers tiles that combine unique patterning and textures in every piece, creating the matt, sandy yet iridescent surfaces typical of clays,” says Marazzi. “This is the basis for wall and floor coverings with vibrant, constantly varied textures, which give interiors a warm, cosy mood without sacrificing creativity.”
The six sizes available, from square to rectangular, enable a versatile approach to spaces and layouts, permitting daring combinations of contrasting materials or decors within the collection itself, such as Rafia or Tapis, which provide smooth or more structured textures, ideal for creating tone-on-tone carpet effects or experimenting with different installation layouts.
Similarly, the ArtCraft collection celebrates the artisanal traditions of terracotta, offering a diverse range of colours, shapes, and surface finishes. With its slightly irregular surfaces and edges, reminiscent of handcrafted artefacts, the ArtCraft collection exudes authenticity and charm.
The new ArtCraft collection from the Crogiolo range, on the other hand, uses the 20×20 square, brick and hexagon sizes to reinterpret the variety and shapes of traditional terracotta. The tiles, which have slightly irregular surfaces and edges, evoke the work of the craftsman’s hands and tools.
Available in seven colours, from Argilla to Coccio and Sabbia, these tiles also include three-dimensional rib structures, together with geometrical decors, or decors with motifs inspired by traditional ceramics. The ArtCraft collection’s rich array of colours and surfaces is ideal for personalised combinations with an original diversity of styles and colours, providing unique solutions for projects with high design values.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, both the Slow and ArtCraft leverage eco-friendly manufacturing processes and incorporate advanced technologies. From closed-cycle production plants to the integration of antibacterial technologies, Marazzi draws attention to its responsible manufacturing practices, ensuring that its products not only meet the highest standards of quality and durability but also minimise their environmental impact.
“ArtCraft is a small-size tile collection inspired by the tactile beauty of traditional terracotta, reinterpreting its subtle mottling along the edges and its sandy texture with little light and dark grains,” says Marazzi. “Belonging to the larger Crogiolo collection, ArtCraft is the perfect blend of age-old traditional skills and cutting-edge industrial porcelain stoneware. The collection features a lavish series of decors, from the more classical Quadri and Segni to the more minimal, geometrical Bolli, Triangoli and Bande.”
Marazzi‘s recent exploration into the realm of industrial craftsmanship has resulted in the rediscovery of the charm inherent in genuine, vividly adorned ceramics. These collections possess a handmade essence, achieved by blending artisanal expertise with industrial techniques. Crogiolo exemplifies unparalleled standards of excellence and beauty, embodying Marazzi’s ongoing pursuit of research and technological advancement while reconnecting with a human touch and artisanal craftsmanship. These materials infuse spaces with liveliness and a cosy atmosphere, transcending trends and eras.
The significance of the name Crogiolo in Marazzi’s history is profound; it harkens back to the industrial facility where Marazzi originated in the 1930s, situated between the railway and the Modena canal. In the 1980s, this location became home to the ‘Il Crogiolo’ research and experimentation center, where architects, designers, artists, and photographers were invited to explore ceramics freely.
This period yielded a fruitful era of experimentation, resulting in Marazzi’s ‘Sperimentazioni,’ featuring designer tiles by Roger Capron, Amleto Dalla Costa, Original Designers, Saruka Nagasawa, and Robert Gligorov, accompanied by photographs from Luigi Ghirri, Cuchi White, and Charles Traub.
The Marazzi showroom, which is located on Via Borgogna, 2, 20122 Milan, will be open to visitors from 10.00AM – 20.00PM, during Milan Design Week, which takes place from 15 to 21 April.
