ARALDICA
Araldica: note sulla collezione | Araldica: notes on the collection
In the Araldica collection, multi-faceted creative spirit Federico Pepe expresses
some of the themes fundamental to the character and quality of his work over time.
Conceived as the outcome of a process of artistic invention, the collection arises
from a mélange of stimuli. On the vast scale of large ceramic wall covering slabs,
Pepe’s visual textures acquire the hypnotic, fascinating configuration of a variegated
mixture of colours, inspired by those of traditional marbled papers. Used mainly in
publishing or, more specifically, artistic bookbinding, these papers are produced
using a very old decorative technique, in which a vast number of “clots” of colour
emulate the infinite vein and dappling patterns of the surface of marble.
On these extrovert, high-impact backgrounds, some of Pepe’s designs juxtapose
two different graphic linear motifs, geometrically centred on the slab: a “coat-of-
arms” – a crest rather like a composite shield, alluding to the imagery of heraldry –
and an “hourglass” shape, consisting of two opposing isosceles triangles.
These geometric forms are repeated on the different marbled backgrounds in
a pattern that recalls the exquisite techniques of marble inlay, generating an
intriguing carousel of allusive visual perceptions. As its creator intends,
the resulting product has an extreme graphic impact, referencing the topic of a
disordered sense of sight – including hallucination – to evolve a ceramic collection
with absolute originality of expression.
The solutions provided to complete the range are in a different tone: reflecting
the desire to “stage” a clear contrast with the multicolour ceramic wall coverings,
these slabs are in completely neutral shades, in the grey frequencies of concrete.
Monochrome, or with a subtle coloured motif that is a stylised version of the “coat
of arms”, these materials offer an unexpected counterpoint to the richly decorated
slabs, providing interior designers with a whole range of sounds (a metaphor that
instinctively comes to mind) with different modulations.
In Araldica, Federico Pepe sends us a creative message that not only defines the
aesthetics of a new “interior psychedelia” but also investigates unusual formulae for
perceptive interaction between decorated ceramics and the individual.
48 | 49