What Not to Miss at Cersaie 2023?

As the city of Bologna, Italy, is getting ready to host Cersaie 2023, the 40th edition of the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings, from 25 to 29 September 2023, 630 exhibitors from all over the world are also getting set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this much awaited trade exhibition.

Now in its 40th edition, this year’s Cersaie is expected to see the participation of an even larger number of international professionals operating in the field of design. According to reports from the organisors, a total of 130 guests will be present, including delegations from Europe, North America, the UK, Switzerland, Middle East, South Africa, Southern Africa, Israel, Southeast Asia and the Far East.

Cersaie is aimed at intensifying networking between international professionals and the Italian ceramic and bathroom furniture companies exhibiting at the show, the initiative is organised in cooperation with the Italian Trade Agency ITA and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

According to the organisers, “Cersaie’s enormous international appeal is demonstrated by the fact that foreign delegates generally remain in Bologna for the entire duration of the show.”

Cersaie is famous not just for its long history in ceramics but also for its venue, Bologna which is said to be Italy’s most underrated cities and also the hidden gem of Italy with a fascinating gastronomic history. So, after you dabble in ceramics be sure to head to Centro Storico, the heart, and the most beautiful centre of Bologna with medieval buildings, narrow streets, roman arcades, and several excellent restaurants where you can sample local cuisine.

Let us now look at some of the important milestone events from CERSAIE that should not be missed:

ROUTE40:

1983 – 2023

Four decades of design evolution will be recounted in Route40, an exhibition curated by Davide Vercelli and designed by Dario Curatolo to seal this milestone. A succession of installations focused on the products and companies that have made the history of the Bologna event.

In the 2023 edition of Cersaie, Route40 will allow visitors to journey through the defining moments of these four decades, highlighting the significant changes that have taken place in the cultural, social, design and production spheres, shining the spotlight on design, technology, products and companies that have made history.

The exhibition designed by Davide Vercelli and Dario Curatolo will wind its way through the routes of Cersaie, starting from the Quadriportico – the presentation and conceptual connection point of the story – and continuing in Gallery 21-22, 25-26 and in the Mall of Pavilion 37 with displays that tell the story of each decade. An itinerary that is not a nostalgic exercise but a demonstration of Cersaie’s key role in proposing avant-garde products and directing the market and design, becoming a cultural platform capable of informing and influencing all professionals over the decades.

It’s all in the Process of Tiling

Tiling Town will be back at the 40th Cersaie this year in 400 square metre space in Hall 32. This 11th edition of Tiling Town will feature installation showcases given by Assoposa master tile layers.

The technical seminars on large ceramic slab installation are aimed at architects and designers and consist of two-hour practical demonstrations in a fully functional installation workshop accompanied by detailed explanations and references to the standard UNI 11493.

A large space in Tiling Town will also be occupied by the Italian national tile installers’ association Assoposa, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Celebrating Sydney Opera House and its Historic Ceramic Roof

Ceramic tiles have often been considered no more than a finishing material in construction projects, but a closer look at many great works of contemporary architecture reveals their capacity for experimentation and their ability to lend an original character to the works. One of these is the Sydney Opera House. Thinking programme to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jørn Utzon’s Sydney Opera House (1973-2023), one of the most important works of modern architecture to make extensive use of ceramic tiles.

The Sydney Opera House was built using predominantly concrete, granite, glass and ceramic materials. The famous white sails made of steel-reinforced precast concrete are clad with more than 1 million glazed ceramic tiles designed by Utzon in collaboration with the Swedish ceramic tile producer Höganäs. French architecture critic and historian Françoise Fromonot together with other special guests will discuss this extraordinary experiment, giving participants a unique opportunity to find out more about a great work that has become one of the landmarks of modern architecture and is celebrated in particular for its use of ceramic tiles.

Recognising Design Excellence

The Italian industrial design association ADI has been partnering with Cersaie for about ten years as part of its core mission to promote the development of industrial design. For this purpose, ADI will present two awards in recognition of the quality of products exhibited at Cersaie 2023.

The first is the ADI Ceramics and Bathroom Design Award and will be presented to Italian products in the ceramic tile and bathroom furnishing sectors. The jury of the 9th edition, consisting of Silvia Stanzani (designer), Oscar G. Colli (co-founder of the magazine Il Bagno oggi e domani), Carlo Branzaglia (design management and education) and Valentina Downey (chair of ADI Emilia-Romagna and strategic designer), will choose the exhibited products that most successfully combine innovation and design quality.

The ADI Booth Design Award will select the booths at Cersaie 2023 that best promote products and communicate the exhibiting companies’ identity and value.

See you at Cersaie 2023 and let us celebrate Ceramics craftsmanship together.