ENG With “ What ’ s aRound ”, you will meet the designers , artists , and creatives that not only Rossana Orlandi has discovered , but who are the “ residents ” of her Galleries ( in Milan and Porto Cervo ) that she carries around the world when she curates public and private exhibitions . Those who are now inside important houses and private collections … Not only for their creative background but also for their personal story .
Rossana Orlandi , ph © Eva Bauer
ITA Con What ’ s aRound conoscerete i designer , gli artisti , i creativi che non solo Rossana Orlandi ha scoperto , ma che “ resident ” delle sue Gallerie ( a Milano e a Porto Cervo ), lei si porta in giro per il mondo quando cura mostre pubbliche e private contract e sono ormai all ’ interno di importanti case e collezioni private : non solo per la loro storia creativa , ma anche quella personale .
WALTER USAI
· Name and surname ? Walter Usai
· Nationality ? Italian · Place of birth ? Cagliari · Place of living ? Assemini ( Cagliari )
· Age ? 49
· Single or in a relationship ? In a couple
· Children ? 2 · Your studies ? High-school diploma
· A brief introduction of yourself as a crafter ? Walter Usai is a ceramist from Assemini , a small town in the province of Cagliari . He continues the family tradition handed down by his father Elvio , a master potter for four generations . Linked to tradition , he tells the popular story of the island ; a profession made of earth , water , fire and , above all , passion . Through his creations made using the potter ’ s wheel , Walter brings the tradition of pottery to life , every day . Even today , in his small workshop / shop , he creates artefacts of the popular tradition and simple objects of common use . The ceramists ’ task , after all , was precisely to create objects that could be useful to the daily life of a family . Aware that tradition must be maintained and , at the same time , renewed in order to instil new life in the profession , Walter started playing with clay , creating a wider production , boasting plays of lines and colour . In his production , he reinterprets shapes in a contemporary way , as well as new ideas , without ever forgetting the importance of origins . That explains why there is still room for that tradition , which preserves the same charm and elegance of an old lady , who – despite the passing years – stands out , leaving everyone speechless . He knows the secrets of the traditional processes , and he decided to combine them with clean and balanced touches , just like the objects that tell the story of the island are flanked by artefacts with a contemporary mood . These unique creations
– made of water , clay and passion – combine the teachings of the past with modern research , without sacrificing quality or attention to detail , rather , enhancing them .
· Artistic specialization ? Ceramist / wheel pottery . · At what age did you start being a designer / crafter / artist ? 20 · How do you begin one of your works ? From a drawing , I create my work on the potter ’ s wheel , using clay .
· Does anyone else help you create your works , or do you do everything by yourself ? Yes , my wife and my father . · How do you choose the name of your piece ? It ’ s based on its story .
· In your projects , what other languages does your design dialogue with ? Furniture and design . · How would you place your works in a house / office / hotel ? They are usually placed in any environment .
· Do you have any of your works at home ? Yes .
· If you had the chance to place one of your pieces in a public or private place / home / location , what would it be ? Museums and private homes .
· What is the most beautiful house you have ever seen ? Dante Bini ’ s Dome in Costa Paradiso , Sardinia .
· A designer you wish could create one of your pieces ? Cino Boeri , Federico Spagnulo .
· If you weren ’ t a designer / crafter / artist , what would you do ?
Sociologist .
· What designer / crafter / artist ( even from the past ) would you like to know ? Nino Caruso .
· An anecdote with Rossana that you will never forget ? “ What a beautiful reality …” · Your favourite city ? Madrid .
· A trip that you would like to take ? Japan . rossanaorlandi . com ceramichewalterusai . com