PERCORSI IN CERAMICA 19

Following on from the previous issue, “Percorsi in Ceramica” continues to discuss the fundamental relations between the culture of production and the culture of the project, issues on which Casalgrande Padana's way of working has been based right from the time our company, constantly committed towards constructive comparison with the international designer sphere, was established.

The strong link with the world of architecture comes to the fore yet again with the latest update about the progress of the eighth Grand Prix competition, now in its final phase of preparation. The deadline, 30 September 2009, closing date for presenting the relative application form, is now drawing very near. The event is arousing a lot of interest and excitement, and already numbers a great many participants. We've received lots of requests and have made numerous contacts. Works are already arriving… The dialogue established between the designers and our company is becoming more intense now the deadline draws near. Despite the fact that works created during the 2005/2009 are eligible for participation in the competition, the designers always endeavour to take part with their most recent creations. This means they speed up the time it takes to design, make decisions and actually erect the works in the building sites so as to compete in the best of conditions.

Presentation of the book entitled “Casabella 1928-2008” is closely linked to the eighth Grand Prix competition. This book was published by Electa to mark the celebrations for the eightieth anniversary of the prestigious journal, celebrations that also included the active contribution and involvement of Casalgrande Padana itself. To underscore the privileged relations and spirit of collaboration that Casalgrande Padana has established with the authoritative international journal and that have grown stronger throughout the years, our company has decided to reserve a copy of the volume to each designer who registers with the competition as a welcoming gesture.

The subject of design is also discussed at various levels, with attention focused on both research and experimentation conducted with a view to achieving constant improvements to the industrial product (Casalgrande Padana's porcelain stoneware slabs can be considered an integral part of industrial design), and in relation to the cultural initiatives that actively involve the company in the creation of projects, installations and proposals able to highlight all the expressive potential and establish new ways of using ceramic tiles.

This issue of “Percorsi in Ceramica” closes with good news about two events that happened on the same date: on 25 May, the Meeting of Confindustria Ceramica elected Franco Manfredini as chairman of the Association for the 2009-2010 biennium while on the very same day, the Databank experts awarded Casalgrande Padana as “Company to Watch 2009” in the ceramic tile sector.