44-2025 – On Centre – Fall – Franco Rampi

Introduction

On Centre – Fall is a course dedicated to throwing and firing functional ceramics, with attention to glazing, and surface techniques. Additionally, students will refine their visual awareness consistently.

Techniques

On Centre – Fall offers continued time for practice, coupled with one-on-one attention from the instructors. It allows for real progress on the wheel and  trains the ability to translate ideas into three dimensional objects. Exercises aim to enhance both skill and awareness, so that the particpants will see improving their pots in form and finish. Furthermore, there is much attention to glazing and surface techniques.

Thoughtful and controlled application of glaze will be encouraged and cover a wide range of decorative possibilities from work done with clay immediately after throwing to work done with glaze, simple and more complex will be shown. The practical part of the course is complemented by a series of visual talks covering historical and contemporary aspects of ceramics. The work will be executed with two different tipes of stoneware and firings will ocurr both in reduction and oxidation atmosphere.

Teaching Method

There will be a main istructor, supported by Eve Carrobourg for specific aspects like glazing and critique and by the assistant instructor Zsófia Földvári. They will provide demonstrations and instruction for the group and plenty of one-to-one assistance. Each student has a generous work space eqipped with a wheel, shelving and tools. During the second part of the course, particpants may pursue a project of their own choice, that will be chosen with the help of the instructors. On Centre- Fall will end with a final show. Images of prevous student work may be found here.

Logistics

Students will stay and study in the supportive environment of La Meridiana, with a generous working space at their disposal. This intensive course is open to all levels but some previous experience with clay is required. The course is open for a maximum of 9 students.

A delicious mid day meal is included on all working days. At booking, each participant may select the preferred room type, choosing between on site standard single rooms with shared bathroom, single rooms with en-suite bathroom at 3 minutes walking distance from the school or private on site apartments

Application and cost

Application is by written proposal. Please write to info@lameridiana.fi.it to find out about the cost and more.

The artists and instructors

Franco Rampi started working as a potter in 1978. After an apprenticeship in England and a cycle of studies in Italy he opened his own studio in Tuscany where he produces both functional objects in small series and one off pieces. He works mainly in stoneware, whilst continuing his research on clays, slips and forms. He has taught workshops on throwing and glazing for many years, collaborating with La Meridiana since 2010.

Artist Statement

I feel deeply connected to the generations of potters who since the remote past have made bowls and vases for humanity. These functional objects are present in everyday live, and among the most powerful symbols of life on earth. When creating, I feel a strong connection to tradition, but the inspiration that comes from the ever-stimulating materials I use is equally powerful. A common thread made of passion, curiosity and commitment binds together the students I have had the pleasure of teaching during the past two months. Passing the knowledge of making on the wheel to new generations completes my own path as a ceramist. www.francorampi.it

Eve Carrobourg studied in Art History in Paris and Florence and then pursued in the field of ceramics. She  trained at La Meridiana under the guidance of its founder Pietro Maddalena and of John Colbeck. She extended her collaboration by staying as workshop-technician for the School where she discovered a true passion for glazes.

After having completed a specialization on high-fire glazes in France, she worked as a full-time teacher on glaze-technology at the CNIFOP Ceramic Centre in France and since several years teaches an in depth, though easy tounderstand glaze course at La Meridiana. She was prized by the “Marcel-Bleustein-Blanchet Foundation” to fulfill a research on glazes. She is currently completing her research in order to publish a book on high-fire glazes.

Zsófia Földvári grew up in Hungary and currently works in Norway. She graduated as a scientist, but upon discovering a strong passion for clay, changed directions and trained in ceramics in Norway and Italy. In 2023 she worked at La Meridiana as a studio- and teaching assistant, taking part in the training of students during the intensive course On Centre Fall. She is associated with the Oslo-based atelier collective Kroloftet, where she teaches wheel-throwing classes. Zsófia enjoys to make objects for comfortable use and quiet appreciation, preferring shapes that follow a simple and harmonious geometry dictated by the natural gestures of the hand.

https://foldvarizsofia.com

Instagram: @thecuriousdandelion