Mostra nazionale dell’artigianato, Saluzzo

By now an established tradition, the Mostra Nazionale dell’Artigianato of Saluzzo now has a completely new look. Having reached its 77th edition, this exhibition has always represented the industrious spirit of the local territory, with many crafts workshops, a living symbol of the coveted and precious value of Made in Italy.

The 2015 edition has been completely revised to focus on this particular character, and the business excellence in and around the city of Saluzzo, with an accent on the finest craftsmanship.

Once again, the Crafts Exhibition of Saluzzo will be held in the historic stables of Fondazione Amleto Bertoni, at the former Mario Musso barracks on Piazza Montebello. Some of the spaces have been renovated with respect to the last editions, to enhance the new exhibit format.

Visitors enter the exhibition itinerary through the Memoria section, a voyage through spaces and narratives of the protagonists who have made the history of local crafts.

The video installations of the artist Ugo Giletta illustrate the history of local crafts, narrated through direct testimony and stories of the lives of famous artisans, offering a chance to appreciate the unique value of still existing know-how. The tale continues through the reconstruction of workspaces, with aromas, sounds and characteristic forms.

From Memory one moves on to the Present where crafts, decor and design meet in their most up-to-date forms. The National Furniture Competition of Saluzzo, “The two sides of the door,” now at its 4th edition, focuses on new varieties of crafts in this region. The 20 winning projects are on display, thanks to the collaboration of Bertolotto Porte. The prizes are awarded on 12 November, during the opening ceremony.

Inside the section on the Present, a large space has been set aside for the Salone dell’Abitare, where artisans and large companies present the best of expertise and products to offer complete home furnishing solutions.

Which brings us to the last section, on future Prospects, where creative workshops are conducted by students for schools and kids.

In the context of the exhibition, a series of conferences has been organized for professionals on the theme “Crafts and design: visions and perspectives of experts.”

Exterior view of Fondazione Amleto Bertoni, the former Caserma Mario Musso, Saluzzo, Piazza Montebello 1, home of the Mostra Nazionale dell’Artigianato 77th edition.

Entrance to the exhibition: the sign Artigianato was made by Art.Ur with materials gathered in the workshops of the famous artisans of Saluzzo. The shavings on the floor engage visitors in a multisensory experience.

Memory: the room dedicated to the master craftsman Amleto Bertoni who founded the Antica Casa d’Arte about one century ago. From the openings, it is possible to observe images of the home of the famous artisan and his monument in bronze. The portrait in the background is part of the video interview by the artist Ugo Giletta with the historic carpenter Celso Bonavia.

Memory: video installations by Ugo Giletta reproduce kaleidoscopic images on the wall of the interiors of historic workshops of craftsmen in Saluzzo. The videos plunge viewers into the history of local crafts narrated through direct testimony and stories of the lives of famous artisans. In the foreground, a Rococo table made by Roberto Levrini.

Memory: multisensory voyage in the workshops of a carpenter and a smith. The historical narrative is based on reconstruction of the spaces, particular places that convey the character of crafts work: aromas, sounds, forms, traces of memory.

Present: Concorso Nazionale per il Mobile di Saluzzo, “The two sides of the door,” 4th edition, in collaboration with Bertolotto Porte. From hundreds of participating projects, the competition selects 20 nominations and 3 winners. The models of the three winning doors are made by Bertolotto and local craftsmen.

Prospects: creative workshops organized and attended by students from all the schools in Saluzzo. The network of all the superior schools in the territory featuring crafts education has developed an engaging program. ALFAbetulla is the program for elementary schools and families.