DI MANO IN MANO is a project about craft issues of Valle del Metauro, that aims to open a debate between local artisans and institutions. The event took place on saturday June 7th 2014, at Barco Ducale of Urbania, in collaboration with seven craftsmen, Mara Pradarelli (goldsmith), Orazio Bindelli and Silvio Biagini (ceramists), Vera Baffioni and Maria Rita Montori (tombolo artisans), Giancarlo Ferri and Giacomo Ferri (cobblers). The project collects testimonies, memories and experiences about the “Old crafts”, trying to link the old and the new generations. The event was consisted in a conference on “Crafts status”, a ceramic workshop, an artifacts exhibition and a live craftsmen demonstration. The project has been developed by ISIA Urbino students Guido Dal Prà, Davide Eucalipto, Cecilia Negri and Andrea Saccavini, during the Graphic design course held by Roberto Pieracini.
Through their personal experience and their professionalism, the artisans — Mara Pradarelli (goldsmith), Orazio Bindelli and Silvio Biagini (ceramists), Vera Baffioni and Maria Rita Montori (tombolo artisans), Giancarlo Ferri and Giacomo Ferri (cobblers) — gave a real perspective on the current state of the crafts, the problem of the generation gap and the possibility of new ways to spread the craft knowledge.
The workshop, in collaboration with the association “Amici della ceramica” of Urbania, was divided in two parts. During the first one — titled "Blind Crete" — the participants, blindfold, modeled the crete using only the feeling of touch, with the final surprise of the result. The second part was instead organized by Orazio Bindelli, who taught to the participants how to model the ceramic with the lathe.
In the main hall, located in the West Wing of Barco Ducale, was staged an exhibition dedicated to the old crafts analyzed. Each craftsman presented some work tools and artifacts to the public.
All the photos of the event were taken by Marco Del Zotto, Orlando Lacarbonara, Stefano Maniero and Roberta Capaldi.
