FELTRE: WHERE THE OTHER ARRIVES

After some time has passed since the experience in Feltre, I feel the need to share a few reflections. During the days of the exhibition, I spoke with many people. Some already knew me, others were discovering my work for the first time. In those moments, in those conversations, small sparks were lit—a moment of interest, a question that reached the heart of the work, a gesture of attention.I return home with the confirmation that every encounter leaves a trace, and with the desire to express what it means to give voice to my ceramics—and why this has played such a deep role in how I live my work.

I’ve never been the kind of person who feels comfortable among crowds, especially with strangers. In my own way, I’m shy. For many years, my ideal place could be imagined as a quiet space, with classical music in the background and my hands busy decorating. That was where I truly felt at ease.For a long time, I imagined I could entrust someone else with the task of speaking, selling, explaining. After all, we came from a time when work roles were quite rigid. The artisan created, and the seller sold. I was the one who created.But times change, and if I truly wanted to pursue this life path I love so deeply, I had to step out of my shell and face the encounter.

Interacting with complete strangers is not always easy. It's not easy to talk about one's work—especially when it is so intimate and personal. But then came the moment when I realized it was necessary, and that I had to engage—not to conform to a model, but to find my own way, my own tone, my own measure.Sometimes, it happens that I manage to connect deeply, pleasantly, with the person listening to me. I’m able to talk about what’s behind the small marks, the engravings, the details. I speak with people who notice those details and who are genuinely interested.

When that happens—when I feel that the person in front of me grasps the meaning and is engaged—it becomes a precious moment for me, too. It’s no longer just necessary; it has become beautiful.And even if I could today, I would no longer want to shut myself away in a studio, working alone, never meeting anyone. I realize that my work has changed along with me.My ceramics are not just objects—they are also something else. They are a form of language, a presence that asks to be listened to, a bridge between lives.They are objects that want to belong to the relationship, born from the desire to dwell in the soul of a home.Encounter has become part of the inspiration.

With hart and hands

LOU ArteCeramica