10-2024 – Isabella Fazzo – Freedom and Structure in the Creative Process 2024/25
An on-line course that ends with a hands-on workshop at La Meridiana
Empower creative abilities and the critical mind
Introduction
Freedom and Structure in the Creative Process is designed for those who want to explore and activate the creative mind and revitalize their work in accordance with their unique self. The instructor will guide students with exercises and will provide tools to inspire ongoing, independent artistic development of ideas and techniques. As a group, we will develop different aspects of our being, broadening our consciousness of concepts of wholeness and change.
Freedom
Every authentic creative gesture is a source of energy, originating from individual, internal strength. What matters more than its uniqueness or brilliance is that it be conceived and matured through internal dialogue. Every authentic gesture—even the simplest of gestures— nourishes us and is woven into the material we choose to use; it imbues us with positive feelings and shapes meaningful objects. These we can then gladly share with others.
Structure
This class does not teach techniques in a conventional aesthetic code, rather it supports an individual path where each student develops their own way to express their intent. Inner freedom and technical sensitivity thus meet in a balance that invigorates the maker’s dialogue with their materials.
Programme and Logistics
The course takes place over a time span of 11 months, starting with an online group meeting on Sunday, March 3, 2024 and ending with an in-person workshop from January 5 – 18 2025. It includes ten online group meetings and five one hour long individual online meetings. During the group meetings, a variety of exercises will be assigned to stimulate and empower both the creative abilities and the critical mind. Projects will be assigned for practice in clay and in 2-D formats.
In addition, there will be will be two online guest instructors to hold lectures, a short on line workshop and provide additional feedback to students. During the individual meetings, students will discuss ideas as well as challenges of implementation they have encountered during their “homework” . In conclusion of the course, all students and the instructor will meet for a 2-week-long (ten working days) workshop at La Meridiana. During this time, students will produce their personal project to be displayed in the final group exhibition.
The group meetings are scheduled at specific times. Within reason and upon request PRIOR to the start of the course, there may be the possibility of changing the time or the dates. For the individual meetings, Isabella will agree on the exact timing with each student within a timeframe of availability that may include either weekdays or weekends.
It is mandatory for participants to have access to a ceramic studio at home. Some previouse experience with clay is desirable.
Maximum number of students is of 8.
The artist
Isabella Fazzo was born in Milan. She studied art at the Royal Forest of Dean College in Gloucestershire, England. In 2008, she obtained a Master of Arts in Ceramics from U.W.I.C. Cardiff Metropolitan University. Furthermore, she studied under the guidance of Pietro Elia Maddalena, founder of La Meridiana. She lives in Florence where she works and teaches, collaborating with various institutions. She says of herself: “I move in many different fields of creativity and teach in these fields with joy and passion. Life has brought unexpected as well as surprising experiences and perhaps most importantly, has led to look at it always with fresh sight. ” http://www.isabellafazzo.com
| Artist: | Isabella Fazzo |
|---|---|
| Date: | The class begins with an online group meeting on Sunday, March 3th, 2024 and ends with an in-person workshop January 18 2025 |
| Level of Course | Some experience required |
| Total cost: | € 4400 |
| Deposit for booking: | € 1000 |
AVAILABLE!
- Aims of the course
- Info
- Payment and Refund Policy
- Detailed Programme
- Comments of previous participants
Aims of the course
-Develop creativity at home through individual and group exercises, research, two and three -dimensional work.
– Establish a dialogue with materials that embraces every aspect: technical, formal, conceptual, spiritual.
– Understand and learn to use the mechanisms of analogies and symbols.
– Create a personal dialogue with your internal and external reality, free from prejudices and expectations.
– Get in touch with your creative energy and develop your own personal language.
–Deepen and broaden your use of ceramic techniques, understand and explore their intrinsic meaning.
– Learn to work with the materials available, using the time you have at disposal.
– Develop a personal project, rooted in and inspired by your inner truth.
Info
The cost of the course includes:
- 25 hours of online group meetings.
- 5 hours of individual online lessons.
- Two guest lectures.
- In-person workshops at La Meridiana of ten (10) full working days in the studio.
- Clay and firing within reason during the hands-on workshops (please note that requests for materials beyond the school’s normal stock and for firings of extra-large pieces cannot be guaranteed).
- Lodging in double room with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Single room supplement € 260 per week.
- Lunch during the workshop days.
- Welcome breakfast.
- Welcome and farwell dinner.
Not included:
- Materials for at-home assignments during the year.
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 EU consumer protection legislation.
If La Meridiana cannot hold the course due to unforeseen events beyond our control, La Meridiana reserves the right to offer a voucher for a different course of your choice. The voucher is valid for two years. The deposit will be transferred to the new course.
Detailed Programme
MONTH 1
Sunday, March 3 at 15.00 (CET/ Italian time), First group meeting
– Getting to know each other, introducing ourselves to connect and work better together at a distance.
– Reviewing the importance of keeping a journal and a sketchbook.
How to use your time: different personalities, different times and ways
– Lecture 1: Our root in Time
Assignments for the next two weeks: Museum-selection-drawing-inspiration
March 18-24 this week is for individual tutorials 1 to be organized in respect of individual needs.
Individual assignments to be done in clay.
MONTH 2
April 6 – Saturday afternoon Group Meeting 2. Students share and discuss their ideas and results.
- The techniques and their personality
- Communicating is a form of listening, seeing is touching
- Lecture 2: Art and Technique
Assignments: The importance of writing to free your mind, Thoughts are traces.
- Visual research and reflection on techniques. Application on clay. Project 1
- Suggested Movie to watch
MONTH 3
April 22-28, this week is for individual tutorials 2 to be organized in respect of individual needs.
May 18 – Saturday afternoon. Group Meeting 3. Students share and discuss their ideas and results.
- Lecture 3: Symbols and Forces. What are symbols and their use: analogy and paradox PP, the pillars of the creative and meaningful message
Assignments: The clays and their personality/ The materials and their personality
- Evolution of the project one in project two
- Suggested Movie to watch
MONTH 4
June 9- Sunday afternoon– Guest Lecture and workshop with Justin Thompson.
This group meeting 4 can be longer than 2 hours.
Assignments: working in clay with Justin Thompson assignment Project 3
MONTH 5
June 23– Sunday- Group meeting 5 – Presentation of the work assigned by Justin Thompson to the group and individual discussion with Justin.
This meeting can be longer than 2 hours, it could be split between morning and afternoon
Assignment: Students keep going with the personal research, practice and studies discussed both in group and individually. The students have to present to the class a finished work by the next class
- Suggested Movie to watch
MONTH 6
July 1-7 this week is for individual tutorials 3 to be organized in respect of individual needs.
July 27 Saturday Group meeting 6, presentation of a finished work (Extended Project 1.2.3) inspired to the personal project and research
Assignment: Make the personal project presented, reversal, with a different material, with a different technique
- Suggested movie to watch
AUGUST HOLYDAY, No Meetings. But if necessary, you can communicate with me
MONTH 7
September 8 Sunday– Group meeting 7, Guest lecture Natasha Mayo
- What is a dissertation
Assignment: “The Work”, free from prejudice
- Students produce sketches and drafts in clay using “the work” Project 4
- Student begin to write their dissertation
MONTH 8
October 5 Saturday– Group Meeting 8- Students share their experience and result with “the Work”
- Colours through time and space
During this month students develop a new point of view on their Topic That can be discussed with Natasha Mayo the next month
Assignment: Students begin to conceive the last project 5
October 14-20 this week is for individual tutorials 4 to be organized in respect of individual needs.
MONTH 9
November 10 Sunday- Group meeting 9 – The students share ideas and work in clay with the support of a single tutorial with Natasha Mayo
This meeting can be longer than 2 hours, it could be split between Saturday and Sunday
Assignment: work in progress on the dissertation.
- Work in progress on the final project
Students produce a PowerPoint to present their work and research next month
During months 9 and 10, students can request individual meeting 5 as needed with Isabella
MONTH 10
December 14 Saturday Group meeting: Final presentation This meeting can be longer than 2 hours, it could be split between Saturday and Sunday
During months 9 and 10, students can request individual meeting 5 as needed with Isabella
Merry Christmas!
MONTH 11 January 2024
FINAL CLASS AND EXHIBITION The class will end in January 2025 with a class from January 6 to 18 at La Meridiana International School of Ceramics!
Comments of previous participants
“Here’s my thoughts: In this course, I have felt my creative process profoundly deepen and extend into realms previously uncharted within my imagination. The one-on-one sessions with Isabella, along with the wisdom shared by guest lecturers, have collectively encouraged me to adopt a more dimensional perspective in approaching my art practice. In our meetings, Isabella has skilfully revealed the nuances of my inner voice, akin to how a therapist may unveil profound insights from unexplored corners of one’s psyche.”
Sarah
“It is a caring and supportive environment to grow and explore, guided by someone who genuinely wants to see us find our creative voice. Working together over the whole year helps to really shift my practice and to take risks and explore.”
Martine
“My goal was to come into the class without any pre-conceived notions of what I might make, and to see where the process might take me. From the very start, the curriculum has nurtured that objective. To add to the exercises that we have done in pursuing our individual projects, there have been recommended films, readings, and fascinating guest speaker presentations. The opportunity to meet with both the group as well as Isabella monthly has further enhanced the process.”
Elisabeth
“The course has given me insight into some of the influences in art of ancient and current philosophical debates, and it has helped me to better understand the role of free exploration and experimentation in making art. I have learned so much from Isabella, from the invited instructors and from my fellow students, whose work — and their comments on my work — has challenged and inspired me to think about ceramics in new ways.”
Marcie
“Isabella is a wonderful guide through the meanders of the creative process. Her class showed me how to structure my process without compromising creative freedom. I found confidence in my work and in the possibility of bringing it with me into my future practice. I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone who’s starting their artistic journey and wants to find their own voice.”
Valentina
“I think Isabella Fazzo is one of the best ceramic teachers I have known so far. Besides her enthusiasm and commitment, she also provides that very important spiritual and personal part, next to the content. The powerpoints were interesting: the didactic material was perfect.What I liked most were the individual meetings where Isabella could really ‘read’ me and give personal advise.”
Elise
“Isabella, your work helped me connect ceramics with the hidden parts of the soul. It also contributed with your immense cultural knowledge and the reinterpretation of it applied to ceramics. I wanted to thank you personally for the energy you have put into this project that has surpasses expectations.”
Mariana
“This year long course was a stimulating creative experience. Isabella Fazzo is a bright, generous and most engaged artist and teacher. She listens carefully and is able to highlight aspects that can be useful in each individual’s creative journey. As the title announces, this course will give you the openness to free your creative outlook, yet at the same time help you narrow and structure the work in a well rounded output. I would strongly recommend anyone looking for «focus and freedom» to work with Isabella.”
Helena