Arpi on Tile
Cersaie Highlights History While Looking Ahead
International Tile Event Marks 40th Edition
The Chromagic collection from is a 3/8”-thick rectified porcelain tile that boasts several wallpaper-style patterns. Available in two formats (60 cm x 120 cm and 60cm x 60cm) in 10 rich colors. Shown is the Tian Ocre pattern. (Image courtesy Cir Ceramiche)
By Arpi Nalbandian Tileometry
For five days, the historic city of Bologna in Italy yet again claimed its role in ceramic-tile superiority by showcasing the latest manufacturing developments, designs and patterns that not only wowed the crowds, but also set the path on what will soon be seen as trend-setting installments globally. The 40th edition of Cersaie, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings held at Bologna Fiere on Sept. 25-29, fully lived up to expectations. The unique global platform visually and emotionally compelled visitors to further explore and discover the latest in product innovations. “Despite challenging market conditions, Cersaie’s strong appeal has enabled exhibiting companies to maximize their investment and strengthen their links with Italian and international distributors, architects, installers and real estate professionals,” said Giovanni Savorani, Chairman of Confindustria Ceramica. With newly revealed tile options, Cersaie continually increases the bar of what can be obtained with a bit of ingenuity and occasionally, reinventing the proverbial wheel when it comes to long-lasting and sustainable results. Similarly, tile’s timeless contributions to the current realizations of its necessity to health and wellness basked in the bright light it so richly deserves. Through my various conversations with tile industry members, designers and architects mentioned that progressively more homeowners have amplified their budgets for bathroom spaces where health and wellness are highly prioritized. This is fabulous news, and reflective of the rise in the quest for self-care and serenity.
In Pamesa Ceramica’s Aroma, every floral detail evokes the timeless beauty of a spring garden in full bloom. This 120cm x 280 cm format ceramic slab is much more than a mere covering; it’s a work of art that will add a touch of romance and charm to any space it graces. (Image courtesy Pamesa Ceramica)
Wow Design’s Faces wall tile collection features long, slender tiles that can be used on any curved surface. The collection also includes four different volumetric tiles (from wavy to triangular models) in a 5cm x 40cm format and a choice of eight colors. (Image courtesy Wow Design)
The Progetto 1962 tile collection from Ceramica Faetano (part of the Del Conca Group) is inspired by the rediscovery of sketches and color samples from the Sixties, the decade when Ceramica Faetano was founded. The star of the collection is a glossy brick (7.5cm x 40cm) that features distressed edges and a slight shade variation. Available in eight colors. (Image courtesy Ceramica Faetano)
Further, as was evident throughout many of Cersaie’s vignettes, subway tile demonstrated its endurance. Not only were beautiful horizontal installments seen, but a more modern layout was making its place known — vertical.
Obviously, vertical tile placement has been around, but thanks to an influx of interest by interior designers, architects, specifiers, and installers, it too is seemingly basking in a renewal of awareness.
Abacus from Settecento is an innovative ceramic tile system that helps to visualize spaces through its geometrical elements. A combination of lines, triangles and volumes decorates surfaces in a three-dimensional way. (Image courtesy Settecento)
New ceramic textures with Vives Azulejos y Gres’ Attico collection where stones-, wood-, and cement-looks are presented in a new light. (Image courtesy Vives Azulejos y Gres)
New ceramic textures with Vives Azulejos y Gres’ Attico collection where stones-, wood-, and cement-looks are presented in a new light. (Image courtesy Vives Azulejos y Gres)
With its eye on the future, the annual event flawlessly delivered on its objective of presenting the best of tile design, art, and manufacturing.
Ceramica Francesco De Maio has drawn inspiration from artist Vincent van Gogh’s paintings (Almond Blossom, Sunflowers, Irises, Flowering Plum Orchard and more). These hand-decorated majolica tiles are created in collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. (Image courtesy Ceramica Francesco De Maio)
Cifre Ceramica’s new Artech Technology for tile allows for the realistic recreation of textures and reliefs found in natural materials, such as wood and marble, as well as cement. (Image courtesy Cifre Ceramica)Ceramica Francesco De Maio)
Colored subway-sized wall tiles (7cm x25 cm) that offer a large variety of colors (32), many of which include the Flora decorative relief pattern (seen here). (Image courtesy Eliane; photo by Taito Estudio)
Icon Deco offers stunning mosaics with geometric designs in vintage-inspired, pastel shades. The Icon series can easily be combined with Onix’s glass-tile-mosaic color palette. (Image courtesy Onix Mosaico)
Keyboard characters take center stage with this avant-garde mosaic tile collection from Sicis. Qwerty features solid-colored mosaics seamlessly intertwined with others that bear distinctive lettering. (Image courtesy Sicis)
Saloni Ceramica’s Metallo porcelain relief-tile series touts the look of weathered, oxidized metal. Perfect for modern and industrial design options. Available in a 60 mm x 120m format in three finishes. (Image courtesy Saloni Ceramica)
Art Walls is a porcelain-slab collection suitable for various residential environments, as well as communal spaces (hospitality, wellness, and outdoor areas). The four new designs — Drape, Tapis, Metal (shown here) and Frost — are available in a 120cm x 280cm size. (Image courtesy Flaviker Ceramiche)
Coverlam from Grespania Ceramica (Nero Zimbabwe shown here) features a uniform, grainy texture that offers countertops consistent color, timeless aesthetics, and seamless integration into any design. Measuring 162cm x 324cm and 81 cm x 324 cm, with a 1.2cm thickness, Coverlam also unveiled a new induction technology that features high durability, scratch-resistant, heat- and stain-resistant, and is easy to clean and maintain. (Image courtesy Coverlam by Grespania)
From the artistic collaboration between Atlas Concorde and Zaha Hadid Architects comes Marvel Meraviglia, a marble-effect collection embodying quiet elegance. These deco diamond-patterned tile panels, which measure 18¼" x 112", are available in three formats. (Image courtesy Atlas Concorde)
The Gemstone collection is inspired by elegant semi-precious stones created by the forces of nature over millions of years. The large-format surfaces embrace organic forms using the rarest of sophisticated materials. On the floor is Shards in White Lux (60cm x 120cm), while the wall features Onyx Green Lux (120cm x 280cm). (Image courtesy Versace Ceramics)Lea Ceramiche)
Segni su Pigmenti, designed by architect Ferruccio Laviani, features imperfect superimposing lines and brushstroke droplets that become life-giving, vivid textures to its dynamic surfaces. There are five series in this collection with a spectrum of nature-inspired contemporary tones: from ochre to earth tones, to cooler colors (greens and blues), as well as neutrals and greys. (Image courtesy Lea Ceramiche)
With Multiforme Dune, Marca Corona explores the world of concrete and resin by presenting a collection inspired by the warm colors of sand and desert. These large tile slabs (120 cm x 278 cm) feature natural motifs, geometric patterns, and fascinating mosaic creations. (Image courtesy Marca Corona)
Of course, the products highlighted within this article represent a small percentage of all the revelations seen by Cersaie attendees. From whimsical and historical glaze replications to larger-than-life tile slabs and panels, to new manufacturing technologies that further lend to biomimicry and increased health and wellness, one thing remains apparent: tile continues as earth’s stable, sustainable, most-adaptable, and time-tested building material. Next year’s Cersaie will be held in Bologna on Sept 23-27. For more information, please visit Cersaie’s website.
Cersaie 40: at a Glance
Participating Exhibitors: 633 Exhibition Space Usage: 145,000 m² (15 sold-out exhibition halls) Cersaie 2023 Registered Visitors: 99,319 (+8.8% compared to 2022) Nearly half of these visitors (48%) came from outside Italy.