Craftform

Ceramics and the Magic of Bali

Marcello Massoni and his wife Michela Foppiani are not your ordinary ceramists, seven years ago they left Italy for the beautiful island of Bali in Indonesia, later joined by their friend Giorgia Oronte. I asked Marcello to tell us about their great adventure and change in their life and practice.

'We became ceramicists following different paths. Michela specialized in art in high school and later graduated in sculpture at Accademia di Brera in Milan, I graduated in Political Science and got close to clay because of her...and since then I can't live without it.

In the following years we settled in the countryside close to Piacenza in our house/studio and created our label "ColorBruno" after the name of our beautiful dog Bruno. In those year, a long time friend, Giorgia joined us during busy times.

We all arrived in Bali because of a lucky coincidence.
In 2002 during the Salone del Mobile in Milan, where we were exhibiting a collection of Raku ceramics, we met Stefano Grandi, enteprenuer and patron of the arts, that invited us to Bali to join their project Gaya Fusion. Stefano and his Balinese partner Nyoman Birit had already had a gallery, a restaurant and some villas, and helped us create Gaya Ceramic and Design. Just now a new area of the project is seeing the light: Gaya Gelato (ice cream in italian) ...Massimo and Colette are experiencing today what we did 7 years ago with ceramic.

Gaya Ceramic and Design has 40 employee, we export hand made ceramics all over the world and is in constant grow. I am the General Manager, Michela is the Creative Director, and Giorgia is the Production Manager. We have our collection of ceramic pieces, but we also work on special projects, following the taste and inclination of our clients. We work on table sets, decorations, lamps and installations, working on different projects is not only a technical and stylistical challenge, but is for us, the only way to stay away from boredom and remain alert and active in our work. We don't look for artistic recognition or fame, what matters to us is to keep on working with clay and being technically and creativly engaged. The final product is not the most important part of our work, the creative and technical process is what fulfill us the most.
In 2010, with the help of an americam ceramicist Hillary Kane, we are going to create a centre for ceramic arts, workshops with residencies and other...a tropical oasis for work and fun.

We are happy in Bali. The quality of our life is enviable. Our work hours are probably the same as they would in Italy (8-12, 13-18 from mon to sat), but we are much more relax. The people working for us are very talented and the weather (25° to 30° C all year round) helps, nature fills us with colors and perfumes, the local community is welcoming...we can't complain.
We have two kids (born on Bali Island) respectively of one and three years old, a little house surrounded by the jungle, a dog and a cat.

Being away from our family and friends is not always easy. Even if our parents and frien come to visit quite often, sometimes we feel homesick, but Bali is a very unique place and helps us overcome this feeling. Referred to as "The island of Gods", Bali as a very ancient culture, florishing art and craft,Hindu religion, luxurious flora, beaches, ricefields ... a true paradise.
Bali is also a mix of the East and the West, in the last couple of years many foreigner investors have created new businesses and services. there are many job opportunities, buyers from all over the world come to Bali to look for art and crafts. There are international schools, hospital and clinics, and if you want to have a pizza, a plate of spaghetti or drink an espresso you can find amazing Italian restaurants.

ciao
Marcello'

I am convinced and you ?