Wish You Were Here

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I am in the grip of two contrasting states of mind, the first derives from the satisfaction of having admired textile works of exceptional workmanship and notable artistic value, while the second is given by the awareness of having missed an opportunity.
I'll start with the latter, ovvero dal rammarico di non aver potuto conoscere bene di persona un’artista tessile che, for decades, it operated in the same province as me, while I was busy visiting exhibitions across half of Europe. One could say that my inattention was unforgivable, ma, per quanto strano ciò possa sembrare, vi confesso che ho la sensazione di vivere in un cul-de-sac where collaboration between artists is not always easy, therefore it happens that we operate in no particular order. Per buon peso andrebbe aggiunta una certa riservatezza caratteriale che spesso induce gli artisti locali a evitare ogni sovraesposizione mediatica, a feeling that has nothing but to disappear with modesty (artists have the right to be modest and the duty to be vain, wrote Karl Kraus), but with a sort of respect towards those who will find themselves evaluating the work of art, the same consideration that should be used when entering other people's homes.
I confess that I was disappointed when they told me that Laila Grison Cavalieri had died a few months ago, therefore I would never have been able to let her know how much I liked her works. Chi un po’ mi conosce sa bene che i miei complimenti non vengono via un tanto al chilo, so the bittersweet taste of that visit is well justified. Continua a leggere

The art you don't expect

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There are those who have what it takes and there are those who have what it takes.
I'm talking about the inhabitants of Vico Pancellorum, just over a hundred resilient people who populate a small village in Lucca, more precisely in the Lima Valley.
I defined them as "resilient" because they hold up despite the fact that the town is more than 15km from what we consider indispensable aspects of a fairly urbanized society (negozi, services, offices, leisure points, ecc.). For good measure they are forced to travel along treacherous and uncomfortable roads, overcoming a height difference of 450m, a journey in which there is no shortage of hairpin bends and overhangs, plus crossing paths with some crazy people (and they are not few) which proceeds at “sports” speed.
I probably wouldn't have known anything about this remote village if it hadn't been for my photographer's proverbial tendency to chat / sherpa / driver / webmaster / ecc. , who met the right person by chance. The fact is that we were in Benabbio, near Bagni di Lucca, for the awards ceremony for the finalists of a literary competition dedicated to the train, and the one who always accompanies me on my travels was among those with one of his poems, and if you want to read it you can find it qui.
Having some time available (you will have already understood that we love to take it easy), they were in our forecasts of short-range movements in the surrounding area, but the technological situation in loco it was despairing, nel senso che internet it was completely absent (and sometimes even the simple telephone signal), therefore there was no way to search online to find useful information on possible interesting places to visit, and then there's no sign of guides and tourist offices.
From what we understand, There are children and stepchildren, both at a regional and provincial level, e, except for the usual most famous locations (and crowded), the indications for smaller towns are somewhat incomplete, leaving the burden of discovery to the traveller's curiosity.
So you're probably wondering what the hell my companion's uncontainable talkativeness has to do with anything. It's easy to say. Continua a leggere

BPM 2024 – One Step Beyond

BPM2024Eccoci qua, on stage again, to tell you about our trip to the Czech Republic and the quilt that we saw there.
Reading the title you may have noticed that the acronym of the Czech exhibition is now BPM, ovvero Brno Patchwork Meeting, and no more PPM. Let's say I miss Prague a bit, and not just because I find it fascinating and complicated, but also because there I discovered many years ago some artists who were looking for their own expressive way to break away from the Anglo-Saxon and French schools. Today I can say that I have seen a long view, and I admire with satisfaction the works that quilter Czechs can boast of exhibiting their works all over the world.
As always the journey to Brno was slow and complicated, and therefore pleasant. Set off with the sun, and already in Celje the bus proceeded among the snowflakes that were falling copiously, but luckily the experience had prepared us for everything. The first stage included a stop in Vienna for a day shopping. Badate bene, I'm not talking about clothes, footwear and accessories, but of materials and equipment for copperplate printing and painting. Mission accomplished. I found everything, e anche di più, and now I know where to go when I need something that they don't even know exists here. While we were there we visited the Wien Museum on Karlsplatz, just reopened a few months ago, where on the top floor the walls were covered with admirable engravings of 17th century Vienna and beyond.
After saying goodbye to Vienna we took a bus headed to Moravia, and we found the same Brno as last year, with its strengths and weaknesses. This time though, our reporting duties finished, we decided to rent a car to take a few trips out of the city. You can find some images of this little trip to Moravia in postNot just Brno”, dal blog ultimalune.it of mine webmaster / photographer / tourist agency / sherpa / ecc.
But I guess you're here for the patchwork, and that all this travel drama leaves you quite indifferent, so here I am ready to satisfy your curiosity. Continua a leggere

BPM 2024 – News

I agree with the BPM press release 2024.
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BPM2024_01Nearly 700 quilts will be presented at the unique Brno Patchwork Meeting 2024 textile exhibition. Many world premieres will be featured

The best international textile artists will gather in Brno for the largest exhibition of artistic textiles in Central and Eastern Europe from 19 to 21 April 2024. Hall E of the Brno Exhibition Centre will present more than 20 galleries of individuals and groups of artists in its extensive premises. This year under the name Brno Patchwork Meeting (BPM) for the first time, as the previous editions were held under the name PPM Quilt Show Brno.
Visitors will be able to view in detail nearly 700 quilts by 200 artists from all over the world, covering the whole range of contemporary textile creation – from classic patchwork to modern wall pictures and original art quilts. Many of them were created specifically for this exhibition and will be loaned to other exhibitions across Europe after their Brno premiere”, said Jana Štěrbová, the curator of BPM. As part of the expo, visitors can also take part in workshops with reputed international and Czech lecturers, and in addition to textile techniques, those interested can try out a printing workshop and digital printing. A large area will be occupied by stalls specializing in various textile and art techniques. The largest range of sewing and ironing equipment, as well as fabrics and a varied range of accessories – all concentrated in one place once a year are a magnet for visitors. The originals on display, the personal presence of the creators and the opportunity to meet them create an optimal mix of inspiration and creativity for visitors.
Studio Art Quilt Associates (knitter) was invited this year with the global Minimalism collection. The competition collection of the French exhibition EPM Tribes is also international. Contemporary German creation is represented in the selection From Tradition to Modernity XIII as well as the original collections by Christine Bünning, Isabella Weissler and Heather Ulbrecht. International collaboration stands behind the 20 Perspectives collection. A very attractive collection of modern quilts will be brought in by the Dutch group Colorminds as well as their fellow native Hilde van Schaardenburg with her new works and textile creations. Beatrice Bouche from France will present a combination of quilt and painting. Sylwia Ignatowska from Poland, a multiple winner of the PPM/BPM competitions, will offer her comprehensive gallery. The guest country in 2024 is Austria with 2 selections by members of the Austrian Guild. The star of the Czech classics for 2024 is Mrs. Marcela Kociřová. Czech authors – Eva Bovoli with a cross-section of her work and Irena Zemanová with the Wabi Sabi gallery together with Věra Englichová's Ecoprint will offer innovative options and modern techniques. Bohemia Patchwork Club will exhibit the Autumn and Baroque collections.
The international competition collections on the themes of ZERO WASTE and SCRAP will be judged by an expert jury. Visitors will also see individual Czech and international quilts. Curator Ann Hill’s collection on the topic of Alzheimer and quilt with a follow-up lecture has an extraordinary reach.
BPM has traditionally given space to charity projects. This year, in collaboration with the Bohemia Patchwork Club, focuses on pillows for St. Elizabeth’s Hospice in Brno, with members donating more than 50 pieces with autumn motifs.
Brno Patchwork Meeting is one of the world’s most visited textile exhibitions, ranking 4th in Europe. The 2024 edition is the next one in Brno, with an ever-increasing scope in the region.
Practical information
The Brno Patchwork Meeting will take place in Hall E of the Brno Exhibition Centre from Friday 19 April to Sunday 21 April 2024. It will be open Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, and on Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. The best-priced tickets can be purchased online at etickets.bvv.cz. Detailed information on the expo can be found at www.bvv.cz/en/bpm
Contact for journalists
Markéta Lipovská
Spokesperson of BPM
Cell: +420 725 195 140
E-mail: mlipovska@bvv.cz
Jana Štěrbová
Curator of BPM
Cell: +420 724 161 846
E-mail: jana-sterbova@seznam.cz
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Quasi 700 quilts will be presented at the exclusive textile art exhibition Brno Patchwork Meeting 2024. Numerous world premieres will be presented

The best international textile artists will gather in Brno for the largest exhibition of artistic textiles in Central and Eastern Europe since 19 al 21 aprile 2024. Hall E of the Brno Fair Center will present more than 20 galleries of individuals and groups of artists in its extensive exhibition premises. This year for the first time under the name of Brno Patchwork Meeting (BPM), as previous editions were held under the name PPM Quilt Show Brno.
Visitors will be able to see in almost detail 700 quilts by 200 artists from all over the world, which cover the entire range of contemporary textile creation, from classic patchwork to modern wall tapestries and original art quilts. Many of these were created specifically for this exhibition, and after the premiere in Brno they will be lent to other exhibitions throughout Europe”, ha affirmed the curator of the BPM Jana Štěrbová. As part of the fair, visitors will also be able to participate in workshops with renowned international and Czech speakers and those interested will be able to try, in addition to textile techniques, also the printing laboratory and digital printing. A large area will be occupied by stands specialized in various textile and artistic techniques. The widest range of sewing and ironing equipment, as well as fabrics and a wide range of accessories, all concentrated in one place once a year they will be available to visitors. The originals on display, the personal presence of the creators and the opportunity to meet them create an optimal mix of inspiration and creativity for visitors.
Studio Art Quilt Associates (knitter) was invited this year with the global collection Minimalism. The competition collection of the French exhibition is also international EPM Tribes. Contemporary German creativity is represented in the selection From Tradition to Modernity XIII, as well as in the original collections of Christine Bünning, Isabella Weissler e Heather Ulbrecht. Also for the collection 20 Perspectives the international contribution is present. The Dutch group Colorminds and their compatriot Hilde van Schaardenburg will present a very interesting collection of modern quilts with her new works and textile creations. Beatrice Bouche from France will present a combination of quilt and painting. Sylwia Ignatowska from Poland, multiple winner of PPM/BPM competitions, will offer its complete gallery. The host country in 2024 it's there’Austria con 2 selections by members of Patchwork Gilde Austria. The star of Czech classical operas for the 2024 it's the lady Marcela Kociřová. Czech authors, Eva Bovoli with a cross-section of his work, Irena Zemanová with the Wabi Sabi gallery ed Ecoprint by Věra Englichová, they will offer innovative options and modern techniques. Bohemia Patchwork Club will exhibit the collections Autumn e Baroque.
The collections of the international competition on the themes ZERO WASTE e SCRAP they will be judged by a jury of experts. Visitors will also be able to see singles Czech and international quilts. Curator Ann Hill's collection on the topic Alzheimer and quilt, with a follow-up conference, It has an extraordinary scope.
BPM has traditionally given space to charity projects. Quest’anno, in collaboration with the Bohemia Patchwork Club, the focus is on the cushions for the St. Elisabeth Hospice in Brno, with members donating more than 50 pieces with autumn motifs.
Brno Patchwork Meeting is one of the most visited textile fairs in the world, ranking 4th in Europe. The edition of 2024 is next at the BVV in Brno, with an ever-increasing reach in the region.
Practical information
The Brno Patchwork Meeting will take place in Hall E of the Brno Fair Center from Friday 19 April to Sunday 21 aprile 2024. It will be open Friday and Saturday from 10:00 alle 18:00, and on Sunday from 10:00 alle 16:00. Tickets at the best price can be purchased online at etickets.bvv.cz. Detailed information on the fair can be found on the site www.bvv.cz/en/bpm
Press contact
Markéta Lipovská
Press officer of the BPM
telephone: +420 725 195 140
E-mail: mlipovska@bvv.cz
Jana Štěrbová
Curator of BPM
Telefono: +420 724 161 846
E-mail: jana-sterbova@seznam.cz
BRNO_2024_Bottom

It all starts with a thread

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The cotton thread, made of silk, di poliestere, It is made of nylon only, and forgive me for the adverb “solamente”, the tail of a very long and elaborate process that ultimately manifests itself in an object of textile art.
Many other threads are at the origin of those works which then make a fine display, whatever their location.
The first and most important is our train of thought, the one with which we fool ourselves in order to follow its not always understandable path, that appears almost out of nowhere, with unfathomable rules and promise, or the threat, to never end.
Then there is the thread of our memories, a sea of ​​memories. Sometimes that surface that is too agitated by daily events calms down, the water becomes clear, almost transparent, and so the light allows us to partially glimpse what that sea jealously preserves, fragments of the past, sometimes dark like submerged rocks, the angular and sharp shadows of disappointments, sometimes alive and brilliant, quicksilver, like the happy events that life sometimes offers.
The strangest thread of all, but also the most important one, it's the one of dreams. With that the most elaborate plots are created, the most fascinating compositions, the sails are weaved that will carry the delicate vessel of our imagination out to sea. Delicate because it will encounter a thousand vicissitudes, technical difficulties, unsatisfactory materials, inevitable errors, dubbi amletici, e, above all things, the chronic lack of time. Only if we are firmly at the helm will we be able to reach the desired shore of a textile work that satisfies our tastes and expectations.. Continua a leggere

Treviso 2023

Treviso2023.
Wednesday, 1st November, the only day of the week that promised not to rain, so we trusted the weather forecast and took the train to Treviso. We got lucky three times, the first because Jupiter Pluvius actually didn't show up for the whole day, the second because with Trenitaglia you know when you leave but you don't know when you arrive, the third because the exhibition has returned to the prestigious venue of Ca’ of Noal, and finally the works could be admired in the right spaces.
I would then say that it is time to take a look at some of the works on display, at least to those that particularly struck me. Continua a leggere