Bovina and Pastore always shared an interest in ceramics, bold design and the crossover between different materials and arts. Maybe this is the reason they do not want to limit themselves to a specific area of design: over the years, they have created ceramics, jewellery, textiles, fashion, costumes, graphics, stage designs and performances. “Our goal is to interpret ceramics in many new, different, even unusual ways.”, they explain. And it’s safe to say that their pieces are truly unusual – they’ve even made clothes out of ceramics.
The duo also works perfectly together: while Bovina focuses on the shapes and formal aspects, Pastore takes care of the decorations, illustrations and graphic details. Their artefacts are both produced in-house and designed for other brands, including Arcolaio.
© Courtesy of the artists
Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?
We live and work in Italy, in the city of Bologna, located in the Emilia-Romagna region. After 25 years we decided to leave the city of Bologna and moved to the campaign, near the city of Ravenna.
Do you have a favourite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?
We have many possibilities because Emilia-Romagna is a geographically rich region. In a short time we can be at the sea or in the mountains or even in the hills and if we stay in the city we go to see exhibitions or museums. Bologna has the largest medieval historical center in the world, rich in monuments and museums. Ravenna, famous for its mosaics, has as many as seven UNESCO sites. It is also nice to stay at home and cook for friends.
© Venezia Tourism Office
Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?
The biggest problem in Emilia-Romagna is the hydro-geological instability of the territory. In 2023 the fragility of many areas of the region were highlighted due to the constant flooding and landslides. Now the major effort of institutions is focused on solving these problems so that inhabitants can live safely whether in the plains, hills or mountains.
This is a virtuous region with a strong economy and low unemployment, with an excellent quality of life.
In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years – and what has not?
In the last 5 years there has been more development and attention to the improvement and growth of the tourism offer, especially in the cities because, as everyone knows, the quality of the offer on the Riviera Romagnola is very high, all along the Adriatic Sea coast.
Indeed, this region, like all Italian regions, has a great wealth of cultural and natural sites. If in the past tourism was considered as an “accessory” to the economy today this item has an important weight even for the economy of cities.
The worst aspect is the road system because there has not yet been an adequate response to the exponential increase in road traffic. Italians love to travel by car, even to make small trips, and they have not yet learned that you can get almost anywhere by public transportation. It is an effort that the government of the region is trying to address but the most difficult thing is to make people understand that in 90 percent of cases the use of public transportation saves money, health and consequently improves the quality of life.
Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers – whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?
Emilia-Romagna is full of small farms that work in a sustainable way. In recent years many young people have moved to the countryside to grow vegetables and fruit and raise animals in a sustainable way. Also located here is the city of Faenza, world famous for its handmade ceramics.
Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?
This region has a high density of manufacturing and innovation and research ranging from handicrafts to precision mechanics, motor world and fashion, such as: Ferrari, Ducati, Lamborghini, Finceramica, Chanakya and many more. Here the work culture is sacred but so is the desire to enjoy life.
Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?
Two places in Bologna worth-recommending are:
Trattoria da Me, via S.Felice, 50;
Trattoria di Via Serra, via Luigi Serra, 9b.
© Trattoria da Me
Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?
Of course, our store in Ravenna: CRETE pièce unique.
© CRETE
What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?
– Instagram
– Facebook
– Pinterest
Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?
– Il Giornale dell’Arte magazine
– Vogue
– Domus
– AD
– Casabella
But also through online newspapers and television.
Imagine you could be mayor for a year – what would you change?
Traffic regulation, eliminating cars from the historic center by improving public trasportation and encouraging people to walk and bike.
© Ввласенко Arcades in Bologna. ItalyCC BY-SA 3.0
One last question: If you could choose another place to live – regardless of financial or time constrains – which one would you choose?
We would still like to live in Italy, perhaps even closer to the sea, in southern Italy.
© Courtesy of the artists
