The "art in the workshop" (Arte in Bottega)
association is made up of a group of craftsmen and
artists and it is considered a cultural association,
which has been operating in Volterra for many
years.
It is the result of our efforts aimed to put in evidence
an important reality of the city, where lot of workshops
of all sorts are present (alabaster, jeweller shop,
engraving, printing, draper's, glass, metals).
Volterra is an historical city, where memories of past
ages and cultures are still living: from the Etruscans
to the Romans, from the medieval times to the
Renaissance, up to the modern age; in this context, a
creative handcraft has a strong importance; there has to
be an aesthetic sense that can be enhanced only by the
artistic activity.
Why do we define it a cultural association?
Because the creative style of the craftsman comes from
from his/her own creative awareness that turns out into
something concrete, into a commercial product which is
unique in its way.
There is a clear difference between the artistic
handcraft and the standardization of the serial product,
which is typical of the industrial process.
Moreover, this is a cultural association because it
takes back a work method belonging to the past, and, by
putting it into a new form, let the work be appreciated
also in our times.
This must not be considered an outmode idea, but it has
to be seen as an action that combines past and present
strategies; for this reason the craftsmen are aware of
the productive strategies linked to a city of art like
Volterra.
We think that a new updated catalogue can be a good way
to give information about this association, not only to
the citizens of Volterra but also to the visitors who
come here to enjoy the beauty of our city. It's a sort
of introduction that improves our value and reflects the
ideas of all the people who belong to the Municipality
of Volterra.
Cesare Bartaloni
Mayor of Volterra
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