18A-2024 – Luca Tripaldi – The Blossom Session in May
April 28 – May 11 2024
Porcelain, Jewellery and Goldsmithing
Some experience with porelain required
Introduction
The Blossom Session in May takes place during the lovely spring season and is a chance to learn how to make jewelry in porcelain, finished with goldsmithing elements in brass and how to make metal settings.
Techniques
The course is designed for those who already make porcelain jewelry and wish to acquire knowledge of goldsmithing for their craft. Students must be able to make porcelain elements independently, since no porcelain shaping or decoration techniques will be taught. Indeed, the technical part on porcelain will focus on how to prepare holes and grooves for the assembly with goldsmithing. Goldsmithing itself will include the creation of various frames for necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings and brooches. Furthermore, students will learn how to make clasps, connections and settings of medium difficulty; to stimulate continued experimentation, also more complex forms will be shown. Finally, patination and metal plating will be shown for achieving specific patina. Students will reach full autonomy in the creation of distinguished, refined jewels for themselves or for their clients.
Duration
The duration of two weeks allows for the making of both the porcelain elements and the metal settings. During an excursion to Florence at the end of the first week, students will visit specialized supply stores selected by the teacher. If desired, they may purchase for themselves additional materials and tools such as those used during the course and in addition tools that are not available at the school like the rolling mill. Luca Tripaldi willgive a demonstration on goldsmithing in his private studio in the historical center of Florence. Those who wish can extend their stay in Florence over the weekend, as there will be no teaching on Saturday and Sunday.
Programme
In the Blossom Session, students will first make prototype brass settings, to be completed with readymade porcelain elements provided by the school. This basic knowledge of the goldsmith’s art will allow students to then create appropriate settings for their own designs. After investigating how to shape porcelain elements to accurately fit the metal settings, students will start producing their own jewelry projects. The last day of the course will be dedicated to the patination and the plating of brass, which is the metal predominantly used for settings. Those who wish can also make some silver settings, but will have to buy the silver at their own expense from the suppliers in Florence.
Logistics
A maximum of six participants can be accepted into this course in order that each student can have a generous workspace and the chance to interact closely with the instructor, drawing on his extensive experience. Teaching hours are from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. The studio is open from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
On every class day a delicious midday meal will be served. Lodging is included as well.
The artist
Luca Tripaldi was born in Turin, Italy. Currently he lives in Florence where he has his studio. After training in graphic design, he worked for ten years in Mario Audello Studios as a sculptor, making masks and special effects for many opera houses like “Scala di Milano” and “Arena di Verona”. In 1998 he opened his own ceramics studio in Turin. He uses porcelain, preferring unglazed surfaces or only glazed in some parts with crystalline glazes and dry glazes, in order to get strong contrasts. The most part of his jewels are in black or white porcelain, decorated with ceramic transfers. He conducts an intensive teaching activitie, holding workshops throughout Europe and the United States. He writes the technical ceramic section for the Italian ceramic magazin ”La Ceramica in Italia e nel Mondo”. www.lucatripaldi.com
| Artist: | Luca Tripaldi |
|---|---|
| Date: | Sunday April 28 (arrival) – Saturday May 11 (departure) 2024 |
| Length of course | 9 working days in the studio plus one day field trip |
| Level | Some experience required |
| Technique | Jewellery, Porcelain |
| Total cost: | € 3300 |
| Deposit for booking: | Euro 800 |
AVAILABLE!
Payment and Refund Policy
A deposit is required at registration. After submitting the registration form, you may proceed with the payment on-line. If you choose to pay by bank transfer, the registration will be confirmed once the deposit has been accredited in our banking account. The balance must be paid at the beginning of the course.
Cancellations
You may withdraw within 14 days of registration without incurring in any penalties and will have the deposit fully refunded. No refund of deposits past 14 days of registration, pursuant to articles 53 and following of the Italian consumer legislation, in accordance with the EU consumer protection legislation. In the event of disputes, the competent court is Florence. If the workshop cannot be hold because of an insufficient number of students, the deposit will be fully reimbursed.
Force Majeure
Students must know that cancellations may occur due to events beyond our control (e.g. pandemic, civil disorder, medical or family issues of the instructor). In such case, La Meridiana reserves the right to offer a voucher for a different workshop of your choice. The voucher is valid for one year. The deposit will be transferred to the workshop of choice.
Detailed Programme
Monday
9.00-9.30 Introductory slide show on jewellery
9.30-12.30 Goldsmith techniques applied to porcelain elements provided by the school
14.00-16.00 Goldsmith techniques applied to porcelain elements provided by the school
16.00-16.30 Slide show on jewellery
16.30-17.30 Explanation and demonstration on how to prepare holes and grooves in the porcelain elements.
17.30-19.00 Creation of porcelain elements according to personal projects independently without the teacher.
Tuesday
9.00-12.30 Goldsmithing techniques applied to porcelain elements provided by the school
14.00-16.00 Goldsmithing techniques applied to porcelain elements provided by the school
16.00-16.30 Slide show on jewellery
16.30-17.00 Review on the porcelain elements made on the previous day
17.00-19.00 Creation of porcelain elements according to personal projects independently without the teacher.
Wednesday
9.00-12.30 Goldsmithing techniques applied to porcelain elements provided by the school
14.00-16.00 Goldsmithing techniques applied to porcelain elements provided by the school
16.00-16.30 Slides on jewellery
16.30-17.00 Review of the porcelain elements made the previous day
17.00-19.00 Creation of porcelain elements according to personal projects independently without the teacher.
Thursday
9.00-12.30 Goldsmithing techniques applied to porcelain elements provided by the school
14.00-16.00 Goldsmithing techniques applied to porcelain elements provided by the school
16.00-16.30 Slides on jewellery
16.30-17.00 Review of the porcelain elements made the previous day
17.00-19.00 Creation of porcelain elements according to personal projects independently without the instructor.
Friday
9.00-17.00 Visit to Florence of goldsmith equipment suppliers and of the instructor’s studio (During the weekend all porcelain elements made will be fired to low temperature)
Saturday and Sunday – free days
Monday
9.00-12.30 Sanding and glazing of the porcelain elements fired to low temperature
14.00-17.00 Jewelery techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created
17.00-19.00 Jewelery techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created, independently without the instructor. High temperature firing of all porcelain elements
Tuesday
9.00-12.30 Goldsmithing techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created
14.00-17.00 Jewelery techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created
17.00-19.00 Jewelery techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created, independently without the instructor.
Wednesday
9.00-12.30 Goldsmith techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created
14.00-17.00 Jewelery techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created
17.00-19.00 Jewelery techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created,independently without the instructor.
Thursday
9.00-12.30 Goldsmith techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created
14.00-17.00 Jewelery techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created
17.00-19.00 Jewelery techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created, independently without the instructor.
Friday
9.00-12.30 Goldsmith techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created
14.00-17.00 Jewelery techniques applied to the porcelain elements students have created
Additional Information
The workshop fee includes the following:
Tuition of 6 – 8 hours per day;
Studio open 11 hours per day;
All materials and firings;
Lodging in shared double room in apartments of simple standard at maximum 15 minutes walking distance.
Single room and/or upgraded accomodation on request, as long as available at additional fee, all apartment types have shared kitchen and shared bathroom facilities.
Freshly prepared three course lunch with wine on all working days;
Welcome breakfast, Welcome and Final dinner;
Coffee break in the mornings and in the evenings.
Safety
La Meridiana is equipped to comply with the current safety standards regarding Covid-19, including social distancing between people in and outside the studio. The daily maintenance of hygiene measures is guaranteed. Please note that participants will be required to follow the security protocol and to comply with some simple precautions.