Platimiro Fiorenza: Master of Coral
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Platimiro Fiorenza: Master of Coral
A life for coral
Platimiro Fiorenza was born in Trapani in 1944. Son of a goldsmith and coral maker, he grew up in his father's workshop and at the age of seven he began to work gold, silver, coral, to learn about stones and make the first engravings, attracting the attention and interest of the master Domenico Li Muli.
During her life, Fiorenza not only devoted herself to coral processing, but also to other artistic activities such as painting, sculpture, restoration and poetry. In the years 1972-73 he participated in numerous artistic events, such as the collective exhibitions of Erice in August and the extemporaneous nocturnal exhibitions of the Salerniana, and held his first personal exhibitions at institutional venues such as Palazzo Cavarretta in Trapani. During his career he moved to Milan, where he began a relationship of collaboration with the great sculptor Giò Pomodoro. After gaining even more experience, despite the opportunity offered by the proximity to the famous sculptor, he decides to return to his city. During his career he is linked by friendship to numerous exponents of the art world such as Michele Canzonieri, the artist Cassisa, Dino Valfrè, the senator Ludovico Corrao and other prominent personalities of the artistic field.
From 1970 to 1975 he exhibited his works in the municipalities of the Trapani province and participated in international competitions such as "The Asward Diamond" in New York. In the early 80s he was called to teach at a provincial section of the ECAP. In 1982 he received the Certificate of Merit from the Soroptimist as "an authentic example of industriousness and continuer of the best Trapani artisan tradition". The first of his most important works dates back to 1988: a 33 cm goblet in gold, coral and precious stones, performed with the rear interlocking technique typical of the Trapani area, made for the Cathedral of Monreale, commissioned by the Diocese, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the appointment of Mons. Salvatore Cassisa as Archbishop of Monreale. Subsequently he realizes works in gold and silver for the Mysteries of Trapani, in fact he has been defined as the "doctor" of the ancient silver of the mysteries. There are few Mysteries on which Platimiro Fiorenza has not worked, in his over twenty years of activity the Maestranze have entrusted him with most of the ancient silver to be restored, moreover he has not limited himself only to restoration and recovery works, but has also created precious furnishings for different groups.
During his career he participates in various competitions, conquering the best positions and is frequently mentioned in essays on the decorative arts. In 1993 he created his most prestigious work, the Bishopric of Trapani commissioned him a "Madonna of Trapani", 34 cm high, in coral gold and precious stones, currently on display in the Vatican Museums. He also creates a holy water stoup in gold, coral and precious stones, commissioned by the Province of Trapani; both works were performed for His Holiness John Paul II.
In 1994 and 2001 he exhibited a coral nativity scene at the “Cento Presepi” exhibition in Rome. In 1997 he was invited by the Province of Syracuse to exhibit in Glasgow, Scotland. For the 2003 World Fencing Championships he was invited by the Regional Province of Trapani to exhibit at Palazzo Riccio di Morana. In 2005 he exhibited in the Foredeck Club of the America's Cup and, commissioned by the “Porta Ossuna” committee, he created the Carrara marble work installed in via Serisso in Trapani. In 2007 he exhibited in San Casciano and, at the invitation of the Province of Trapani, in Düsseldorf, Germany. In 2008 he was invited to exhibit in Corciano on the occasion of the exhibition “Il Presepe e il Corallo”. In 2010 he took part in the exhibition "The Charm of the Nativity", promoted by the Diocesan Museum of La Spezia. In 2011 the Regional Province of Trapani, for the episcopal appointment of Mons. Antonino Raspanti of Alcamo, commissioned him a "Pectoral in Silver, Gold and Coral".
Considering this great artistic-cultural baggage and the rich participation in exhibitions, competitions and events, underlined by prestigious international awards, the daughter Rosadea Fiorenza considered it appropriate to create a project entirely dedicated to the figure of Platimiro Fiorenza and his inseparable relationship. with the coral tradition in Trapani through a series of initiatives aimed at shedding light on the activity carried out up to that moment through publications of various kinds and promoting new initiatives aimed at the ever greater promotion of his art and the dissemination of his work.
Platimiro Fiorenza. The last one mastru curaddaru
THE ROSSOCORALLO PROJECT
The RossoCorallo project, born in 2012 from an idea by Rosadea Fiorenza, is developed with the intention of deepening the knowledge of the Trapani area in search of the identity of a place, telling the artistic tradition of the processing of coral, which has always characterized the city of Trapani. Platimiro Fiorenza, defined as the last corallaio has been included in the Register of Intangible Heritages of Sicily in the list of Human Living Treasures protected by UNESCO, the merit of knowing how to keep the attention awake and alive must also be recognized. coral art in Trapani, infusing it in the soul of many young people forged in his workshop
In 2012 the first event of the RossoCorallo Project was born, the first edition of the exhibition “Platimiro Fiorenza. RossoCorallo between dream and matter ”, conceived and curated by Rosadea Fiorenza. This first edition of the RossoCorallo exhibition aimed to spread the concept of coral processing, from conception to realization, to highlight how this precious material can be molded in the hands of a skilled craftsman in order to create a work of art in its entirety. In April 2013 Rosadea Fiorenza also curated the coral exhibition of the master Platimiro Fiorenza at Palazzo Milo in Trapani, seat of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.
The following year the success is repeated with the second edition of the event and the prestigious Milanese gallery Altomani & Sons promotes the exhibition, curated by Rosadea Fiorenza, “Platimiro Fiorenza. RossoCorallo between tradition and innovation ”with the intention of demonstrating how coral processing has maintained continuity from its tradition to the innovative concept of contemporary design.
In 2013 he exhibited his coral paintings on the occasion of the "Dream Visions" exhibition at the Spazio Onirico in Trapani and took part in the international I-Design event with an exhibition of precious coral artifacts hosted by the Monteleone Gallery in Palermo. We also remember the project "Artistic techniques of Sicilian goldsmithing", promoted by the University of Palermo and the Sicilian Region, as part of which it welcomed a young student for an apprenticeship and participated in the exhibitions "Ancient Trades passed and future ”, held at the Oratorio dei Bianchi and the Church of Sant'Antonio in the Steri monumental complex.
In 2014 the exhibition “Platimiro Fiorenza. RossoCorallo between sky and sea ". The same year the master from Trapani, at the invitation of the Rotary Club of Marsala, participates with an exhibition of coral works in the "Exhibition of the main Italian Rotary initiatives on the Mediterranean", held at Palazzo Fici in Marsala, and joins the event promoted from the Fardelliana Library of Trapani "Meet - Biblio Pride" with an exhibition of coral works and ancient tools. Between 2014 and 2015 the Diocesan Museum of Monreale, directed by Maria Concetta Di Natale, promoted the third edition of the exhibition “Platimiro Fiorenza. RossoCorallo and Sacred Art ”with the aim of showing how precious coral has played a decisive role in the sacred. On the occasion of this event, the Fiorenza family donated a nativity scene made by Maestro Fiorenza to the Diocesan Museum of Monreale.
In 2015 Rosadea Fiorenza curated the Art Weekend event inside the Chiaramontano Castle of Naro for the "Project I Art, the widespread hub for Identities and Contemporary Art in Sicily", inaugurating the RossoCorallo exhibition by Maestro Platimiro Fiorenza preceded by a conference on the Trapani workers.
In 2016 the RossoCorallo project collaborated with the I World Association for the preparation of the cribs made by the master Fiorenza for the Nativitas exhibition in Bonocore, Nativity art in Sicily and multimedia exhibition on intangible cultural heritage at Palazzo Bonocore inside the new museum "The Oasis of Identities" located in Piazza Pretoria Palermo.
Between 2016 and 2017 the Diocesan Museum of Catania welcomes the fourth edition of the Platimiro Fiorenza exhibition "RossoCorallo: cribs and other masterpieces", curated with Marilisa Yolanda Spironello. The exhibition was preceded by the conference on the theme of Living Human Treasures, Intangible Heritages protected by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. The event dealt with the need to safeguard and enhance the artistic heritage, considered both in its specific historical and artistic value, and as a testimony of an uninterrupted history of beauty, culture and tradition, aiming to bring young people closer to traditional arts and crafts. cultural heritage of the territory, by means of useful tools for the creation of artisanal businesses that do not fail to enhance the history and tradition of Sicily.
The art of Platimiro Fiorenza has aroused the interest of many critics, in fact recently the critic Vittorio Sgarbi visited the master's workshop with great enthusiasm, congratulating him on the works created with great skill. Furthermore, the activity carried out through social and television channels should not be overlooked. During his career Fiorenza has been the protagonist, as a coral artist, of numerous television broadcasts including Striscia la Notizia in the column conducted by Davide Rampello "Countries and Landscapes" with great public success.
Fiorenza has received numerous noteworthy awards that testify the unanimous recognition of its commitment to revive an art destined to disappear. In 2003 the Department of Economic Development of the Municipality of Trapani awarded him the “Saturn - craftsman of the sea” award; in 2004 he received from the UNESCO Club of Trapani the award as "conservator through the teaching of coral processing"; in 2011 the Chamber of Commerce of Trapani awarded him a gold medal as "Loyalty to work and economic progress award"; in 2013 he received the "Faro Biscari Award" from the Lions Club of Catania and a new recognition of prestige conferred on him by UNESCO: he became part of the REI, Register of Intangible Heritage of Sicily, in the "Book of Living Human Treasures". Recently, Maestro Platimiro Fiorenza received the Mam recognition - Master of Art and Craft dedicated to the excellence of Italian high craftsmanship, promoted by the Cologni dei Mestieri d'Arte Foundation, in collaboration with ALMA, the International School of Italian Cuisine.
He has collaborated with famous antique dealers in Palermo, Rome, Florence, London and New York and, as already mentioned, he gave his own original contribution to the famous manifestation of the Mysteries of Trapani. In recent years, moreover, Platimiro Fiorenza has held conferences and lectures at Universities, Art Institutes and Regional Courses and his workshop has hosted young enthusiasts who have opened their own activities related to coral processing throughout Italy. The RossoCorallo project therefore continues to set itself always new objectives for the dissemination of this work beyond the borders of the island and with an eye to an ever wider audience and to the new generations.
Text source: https://www.platimirofiorenza.it/biography
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Technical sheet prepared by: Region of Sicily - Department of cultural heritage and Sicilian identity - CRicd: Regional center for inventory, cataloging and documentation and Sicilian regional film library
ABSENT
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Platimiro Fiorenza: Master of Coral
REI - Book of Living Human Treasures
21-02-2013
Living human treasure
Trapani
Trapani
The latest Mastru Curaddaru
Platimiro Fiorenza was born in Trapani in 1944. Son of Pasquale Fiorenza coral goldsmith, he grew up in his father's workshop and at the age of seven he began working gold, silver and coral, learning about stones and making his first engravings, attracting the attention and interest of the Trapani master Domenico Li Muli. Throughout its life, Fiorenza is not only dedicated to coral processing, but also to other artistic activities such as painting, sculpture, restoration and poetry. In the years 1972-73 he participated in numerous artistic events, such as the collective exhibitions ofArtistic August Ericino and Salerniana nocturnal extemporaneous, and holds his first personal exhibitions at institutional venues in Trapani such as Palazzo Cavarretta. During his career he moved to Milan, where he began a relationship of collaboration with the great sculptor Giò Pomodoro. During his career he is linked by friendship to numerous exponents of the art world such as Michele Canzonieri, the artist Cassisa, Dino Valfrè, the senator Ludovico Corrao and other prominent personalities of the artistic field.
From 1970 to 1975 he exhibited his works in the municipalities of the Trapani province and participated in international competitions such as The Asward Diamond from New York. In the early XNUMXs he was called to teach at a provincial section of the ECAP.
In 1982 he received the Certificate of Merit from the Soroptimist as "authentic example of industriousness and continuation of the best Trapani artisan tradition". The first of his most important works dates back to 1988, the chalice in gold, coral and precious stones, made for the Cathedral of Monreale. Subsequently he creates works in gold and silver for the Mysteries of Trapani and in 1993 the Bishopric of Trapani commissioned him one Madonna of Trapani, in coral gold and precious stones, now in the Vatican Museums. He also realizes aStoup in gold, coral and precious stones made for His Holiness John Paul II.
In 2001 he exhibited a Coral crib in Rome at the “One Hundred Nativity Scenes” exhibition. In 2003, on the occasion of the Fencing World Championships, he was invited by the Regional Province of Trapani to exhibit at Palazzo Riccio di Morana. In 2005 he exhibited in the Foredeck Club of the America's Cup and, commissioned by the “Porto Ossuna” committee, he created the Carrara marble work installed in via Serisso in Trapani. In 2007 he exhibited in San Casciano and, at the invitation of the Province of Trapani, in Düsseldorf, Germany. In 2012 the exhibition was held at the Torre di Ligny Museum in Trapani Platimiro Fiorenza. Rossocorallo between dream and matter, edited by his daughter Rosadea Fiorenza. In 2014 she exhibited the exhibition at the Diocesan Museum of Monreale Platimiro Fiorenza. RossoCorallo and Sacred Art, curated by Rosadea Fiorenza and Cristina Costanzo.
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Coral master
Platimiro Fiorenza, master coral and goldsmith from Trapani, continuer of the historical workforce of the city of Trapani
Trapanese art master, Platimiro Fiorenza is one of the most appreciated Sicilian goldsmiths capable of keeping alive the centuries-old tradition of coral processing. To be counted among the excellences of Sicilian artistic heritage, the value of Platimiro Fiorenza's research has recently been recognized internationally with its inclusion in 2013 as a "living human treasure" in the book of the same name which is part of the Register of Intangible Heritages.
Platimiro Fiorenza's research fits perfectly into the tradition in which Trapani artisans distinguished themselves, skilled “sculptors” specialized in setting small corals on sacred objects and for domestic use. For centuries the city of Trapani has been able to excel in the sector of artistic coral processing thanks to the activity of artisan workshops specialized in the creation of sacred objects, such as bolsters and holy water fonts, of household objects, such as trays, sugar bowls, chandeliers, frontals, sculptures, and of course cribs and coral jewels. Documentary evidence reveals that in Trapani the origins of the artistic phenomenon linked to coral processing date back to the fifteenth century and that the great coral season reached extraordinary levels between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, followed by the decline determined by the competition of the coral workshops established. beyond the island borders. Even today, despite the recent coral rush and growing international competition, thanks to the Platimiro Fiorenza activity it is possible to admire an artistic heritage that has its roots in the past but lives on the contemporary, opening up to the experiments and innovations of his time.
The master Platimiro Fiorenza is the continuer of the traditional technical procedures of coral processing and the creation of jewels, real unique pieces entirely finished by hand.
In fact, in his workshop it is still possible to witness the coral processing techniques (burin engraving, buttoning and refinement of the grains) and those of the goldsmith's shop (the fretwork, the assembly, the fusion with cuttlefish bone, the watermark, the granulation). The same work tools such as burins, dies, dies and molds are customized by hand to give the creations a unique and personal touch. The master himself recalls that in his father's shop "smooth grains were made, sliced and then they were ncurunati, that is, knotted with silver threads at 10 to 10, and finally the rosaries were completed, mounted in gold or silver (…); the most beautiful corals were mounted in gold and with filigree detachments, the less beautiful in silver and at the age of 9 I knew how to crown the coral beads and finished the rosaries ».
In the description of his activities he also recalls that the coral maker had to "know how to draw, engrave, set, that is, he had to know how to do everything related to the profession of gold and coral".
Also noteworthy is the commitment in the restoration sector, an area in which Fiorenza collaborates with famous antique dealers in Palermo, Rome, Florence, London and New York, carrying out important restorations for the main Trapani churches and restoring many coral works exhibited at the major international exhibitions. In addition, the master gave his contribution to the famous manifestation of the Mysteries of Trapani restoring some of the most important sculptural groups and creating precious works in gold and silver.
To date he holds conferences and lectures at universities, art institutes and regional courses and his workshop hosts young apprentices. His works are part of prestigious collections such as the Vatican Museums.
Costanzo, Cristina, edited by. 2013. Platimiro Fiorenza. Coral red between dream and matter, Milan: Margana Edizioni.
Di Natale, Maria Concetta, edited by. 2003. Precious materials from the land and the sea in the art of Trapani and western Sicily between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Palermo: Sicilian Region, Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage and Public Education.
Florence, Platimiro. 2010. My voice in the wind, Rome: Aletti Editore.
Maltese, Corrado and Maria Concetta, Di Natale, edited by. 1986. The art of coral in Sicily, Palermo: Novecento Editions.
2003. On the occasion of the Fencing World Championships, an exhibition by the coral maker Platimiro Fiorenza was inauguratedin Giornale di Sicilia, April 7 Palermo.
2003. Fiorenza, the last heir to the production of statuesin Giornale di Sicilia, June 29 Palermo.
2003. Saturn Award. Corallaio Fiorenza "Artisan of the sea"in Giornale di Sicilia, September 4 Palermo.
2004. Unesco Club, ten awards on the day of the defense of human rightsin Giornale di Sicilia, December 13 Palermo.
2005. Fiorenza, "doctor" of the ancient silverwarein Giornale di Sicilia, March 23 Palermo.
2005. The severed head of the woman who betrayed her pirate husband returns to its place. The Carrara marble work is by Platimiro Fiorenza and was commissioned by the "Porta Ossuna" Committeein Journal of Sicily, August 18 Palermo.
2009. Coral. Meeting with Maestro Fiorenzain Giornale di Sicilia, December 16 Palermo.
2012. Rossocorallo an art to be saved. In Torre di Ligny the exhibition of the master Platimiro Fiorenza, in Sicily, December 15 Catania.
2012. Tribute to an artist. Platimiro Fiorenzain Monitor, no. 40, December Trapani, pp. 14-15.
2013 Corallo: Italian excellence. Interview with Platimiro Fiorenzain The Carabiniere, February Trapani.
Platimiro Fiorenza has received various awards: in 2003 he was awarded the “Saturn - craftsman of the sea” award by the Department of Economic Development of the Municipality of Trapani; in 2004 he received from the UNESCO Club of Trapani the prize as "conservator through the teaching of coral processing"; in 2011 the Chamber of Commerce of Trapani awarded him the gold medal as "Loyalty to work and economic progress award". His workshop is located in Via Osorio, 36, Trapani.
Chiara Dell'Utri
Platimiro Fiorenza, official website [last consultation 28-04-2016]
Fiorenza Jewelery [last consultation 28-04-2016]
Video The last of the corallers [last consultation 28-04-2016]
Video Rosso Corallo, from Ancient to ModernRosso Corallo, from Ancient to Modern [last consultation 28-04-2016]
Video Platimiro Fiorenza and coral processing [last consultation 28-04-2016]
Web card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photo: https://www.ilprofumodelladolcevita.com/maestro-platimiro-fiorenza-l Ultimo-grande-corallaio-della-sicilia-conversa-andrea-giostra/
Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero / Web
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