BITOSSI CERAMICHE - Utopia Retro Modern

BITOSSI
CERAMICHE

The Bitossi family was documented in the territory of Montelupo Fiorentino as early as 1536. Over the centuries, they have been kiln workers, sculptors, painters, and especially potters in this area with its ancient ceramic traditions, only a few kilometers from Florence. In the 20th century, the Bitossis introduced an extraordinary stylistic and formal renewal of their production.

In 1921, Guido Bitossi, heir to a long dynasty and tradition, founded the “Maioliche artistiche Guido Bitossi” factory, and began a type of production still linked to the traditional and classical styles of the past, but combined with research and a study of ceramic products. In the early 1950s, the company powerfully launched itself into modernity under the artistic direction of Aldo Londi, a man with an innate creative and aesthetic sense and a key eye for changes in taste and style in Italian ceramics. Londi joined Bitossi in 1946, and from that time on, he was the undisputed creative figure for over fifty years, first as a painter, then as artistic director, and finally as a tireless researcher of styles and examples to be emulated.

B&W series by Ettore Sottsass 1960´s – 1980´s.

Over the years, many designers have contributed to the productions of Manifattura Bitossi, interpreting tradition and giving life to new lines. First and foremost, architect Ettore Sottsaas, who first came to Manifattura Bitossi in 1955 to experiment and create new ceramics. His collections began a new chapter in the history of Italian design. Bitossi Ceramiche, still in its historical premises from 1929, has been run for generations by the original family, from Vittoriano Bitossi to his daughter Cinzia, then his niece Ginevra Bocini, always representing “Made in Italy” excellence throughout the world. In 2014, the factory was listed in the register of “Historical Italian Companies” established by the Unioncamere Nazionale and the Chamber of Commerce.

Design

E. Sottsass. The industrial designer in the ceramics sector, 1959.

Ceramics are never an end in themselves – they are where imagination and technical and expressive skills converge to form an environment, in which to create great architecture and great civilizations. But to achieve all this, artists and industrialists must patiently working together, trying to evolve, as happened at Bitossi, “where ever so slowly,” thanks to “the courage of the industrialist and the qualities of a very tranquil, yet very patient and courageous young man,” Also Londi, experiments were carried out “for setting up a simple new production, leaving behind the more traditional productions.

Rimini blu by Aldo Londi 1950´s -1960´.

F.5 Sculpture by Natalie Du Pasquier 2018.

Raised bowl with stepped rim by Ettore Sottsass 1980´s.

It is with this quote that we remember the deep bonds that Ettore Sottsass had with this company and with Aldo Londi. Many collections have been designed by the architect and created at Bitossi together with his friends, Aldo Londi, Ugo and the Aurelio master ceramists. The work relationship between Sottsass and Bitossi was ongoing from 1955 until the very last exclusive creations that Bitossi Ceramiche still produces today.

Bitossi now invests primarily in research and development of designer ceramics, while continuing to interpret Aldo Londi’s iconic subjects. It is no coincidence that many external collaborators, architects and designers are inspired by the techniques of the past, as documented in the Historical Archives, in their constant search for balance straddling know-how, innovation and research.

Over the last 30 years, many work relationships have developed with artists such as Antonella Cimatti, Arik Levy, Benjamin Hubert, Cedric Ragot, Dimorestudio, Elma Lisowski-Choung, Fabio Novembre, George Sowden, Gerard Taylor, Karim Rashid, Laura Bethan Wood, Luisa Bocchietto, Mario Ferrarini, Marco Zanini, Martine Bedine, Massimo Giacon, Matteo Thun Max Lamb, Michele de Lucchi, Monica Föster, Nathalie du Pasquier, P. Palma & C. Vannicola, Piero Fornasetti, Remo Buti and Ronon and Erwan Bouroullec.