Firenze
Raku
Product & interior designer
how it was born
The Firenzeraku project springs forth from an idea the three siblings, Angelo, Simone and Lavinia, acquired following their father’s foosteps, the well-known ceramist Antonio Zaccarella, creating a line of fine art ceramic clocks based on the ancient Raku technique.
After years of experience acquired in Italy and abroad, particularly so in Rome and Tokyo, they set foot in the heart of the Tuscan county seat. The preference for Florence is not without reason as the initial phase of the project sees its outset on a cold but creative winter weekend spent in Florence. After three years of research and planning, the idea becomes reality in March of 2019 with the inauguration of the Firenzeraku shop in the heart of Florence.
The strength of such initiative is tied to the uniqueness of a product entirely handmade in the Zaccarella laboratory founded in Molise in 1980. The experience the Zaccarella siblings cultivated in their father’s creative studio along with their personal educational background paves the way for highly innovative ideas which include magnificent clocks, pendulums, vases, decorative panels and other products made out of fine ceramic.
Come Nasce
Firenzeraku è un progetto che nasce dall’idea di tre fratelli, Angelo, Simone e Lavinia che seguendo le orme del padre, il noto ceramista Antonio Zaccarella, hanno creato una linea di orologi artistici realizzati in ceramica secondo l’antica tecnica raku.
Dopo anni di esperienza acquisita in Italia e all’estero, in particolare nelle città di Roma e di Tokyo, sono approdati nel cuore del capoluogo toscano. La scelta di Firenze non è stata casuale infatti la fase iniziale del progetto è nata proprio durante un freddo e creativo fine settimana invernale trascorso a Firenze. Dopo tre anni di ricerca e pianificazione l’idea è diventata realtà nel marzo del 2019 con l’apertura del negozio Firenzeraku nel centro storico fiorentino.
La forza di questa iniziativa risiede nell’originalità dei prodotti, realizzati interamente a mano nel Laboratorio Zaccarella, fondato in Molise nel 1980. Dall’esperienza vissuta dai fratelli Zaccarella sia nello Studio creativo del padre sia in percorsi di studi specifici nascono le loro idee creative che danno vita a magnifici orologi, pendoli, vasi, pannelli decorativi ed altri oggetti in pregiata ceramica.
Cromatismi unici, linee geometriche, figure astratte, suggestioni fiabesche sono i tratti distintivi dei manufatti. Lo stile inconfondibile di questi prodotti è ottenuto grazie alla personale interpretazione del raku, tecnica di lavorazione della ceramica nata in Giappone nel XVI secolo.
La tecnica raku
Il termine giapponese raku significa letteralmente “vivere con gioia”, un messaggio che invita all’armonia con le persone e le cose del mondo. Ciò che distingue principalmente il raku dalla ceramica tradizionale è il processo di cottura. Gli oggetti, estratti dal forno alla temperatura di circa 1000°, vengono immersi in materiale organico quali segatura, foglie, carta ecc., per ottenere un processo di ossidoriduzione.
Questa speciale tecnica permette di ottenere pezzi artistici dagli effetti cromatici di particolare bellezza, irripetibili nei loro riflessi metallici.
Exclusive chromaticisms, geometric strokes, abstract figures, fairy-tale like notions, are the distinctive features of such production. The univocal style of these products is established through the personal interpretation of the Raku technique developed in Japan in the 16th century.
The raku technique
The word Raku in the Japanese language literally means “live with joy”, a message which invites us to live in harmony with all people and worldly things. The principal difference between Raku and traditional ceramics is the firing process. Items extracted from the kiln at temperatures of 1000 degrees are immersed in organic material such as sawdust, leaves, paper or other as to obtain the oxydation-reduction process (redox).
This particular technique allows for fine art items of particular beauty in its chromatic effects, unrepeatable in their metallic expression.
Team
Antonio Zaccarella
Founder & Director
In pursuit of a childhood dream, his artistic and entrepreneurial journey as a ceramist commences 40 years ago. Over the years, he has been awarded important recognition as an employer as well as a master ceramist. His passion for Raku ceramics has never foresaken him and to this very day his splendid creations make him one of the prominent figures in the world of arts on the national and international level.
Angelo Zaccarella
Company co-director & Administrator
The eldest of the three Zaccarella siblings, he is in charge of economic and administrative management. In his early years as a teenager, he is captivated by his father’s passion nurturing the desire to commit himself to the family business, acquiring the tools of the trade swiftly. With this thought in mind, he enrolls at university and is awarded a degree in Business Administration focusing his attention on the entrepreneurial aspect within the firm demonstrating management and craftsmanship skills acquired.
Simone Zaccarella
Company co-director & Creative director
The second of the three Zaccarella siblings is the artist par excellence. He receives his degree from the prestigious art school Academy of Fine Arts in Rome applying his technical know-how and creativity in the ceramic laboratory. To his love for art, he has matched his passion for travelling and this bond is a constant source of novelty and originality expressed through his own Raku ceramic creations.
Lavinia Zaccarella
Store Manager
The youngest of the three Zaccarella siblings. The sales shop in Florence is under her direction. With a degree in Economics, her work life is very dynamic. Suitcase on hand, her personal time and cross-sectoral competencies are dedicated to the family business alongside a collaboration agreement with an international firm in the role of planner and controller.
Caren Zaccarella
Sales Assistant & Marketing Manager
Cousin to the three Zaccarella siblings, she is responsible for sales & marketing at the Florence shop. After receiving a degree in Fashion Marketing Communication care of the prestigious school Polimoda, she takes on the role of sales assistant in the fashion sector. Some time later, she decides to become part of the ambitious Firenzeraku project offering her competencies and experience.