When Marco Bellini talks about inspiration, he immediately thinks of cave paintings: ‘What message were they trying to convey?’ For him, it was not so much about the technique, but rather about self-expression, society itself and individual spirituality. Bellini creates cult objects – he wants to evoke feelings and opportunities to deal with difficult situations: ‘I carve urns and vessels to free our mourning for what we’ve lost.’ Sacred and profane are not two separate concepts for him. There were times when a house could also be a temple and baking bread a ritual.
His objects are tangible and offer people sacred moments in their everyday lives. ‘I hope that my works will help people to recognise the wondrous and inexplicable world around us and to accept the fact that the incompleteness of our knowledge has a meaning in itself’. And even his own way of working seems more like a ritual: tree trunks are cut according to their fibres – those shapes are used as a starting point. With the help of various techniques, materials and finishes he moulds his pieces. The finalisation of one of his creations can take several months or even longer.
© Courtesy of the artist
Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?
I live in Camino, Piemonte, a small village in the hills of Monferrato, close to the Po river and the rice fields. We live in an old house and work in the same house, where we have a dedicated space for two small workshop – mine for wood and my wife’s for pottery.
Do you have a favourite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?
We just walk in the woods surrounding our house, uphill to an old castle or downhill to the Po river. There’s a few paths that connect more villages, so when we have time we can walk the whole afternoon or even the whole day, stopping for a snack in another village and then coming back home.
© Marco Carlo Stoppato, Camino
Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?
At present they’re forcing the issue of a nuclear waste storage very close to the Po river. Although many people protested against it, the major of the town directly involved ignored them and decided to press forward to get the money for the storage at all costs.
In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years – and what has not?
This area of Monferrato is very underdeveloped since after the war. In other areas they started making high quality wines, cheese, they created interest for a different kind of tourism.
Here there’s no political interest in promoting tourism and high quality wines, so who’s trying is basically left on his/her own.
Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers – whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?
Sbarato vini is making good wines here. Pane Urbano is a small wood-fired bakery that makes quality bread from local grains. There’s a couple of farms that make goat cheese of very good quality: Cascina la Vetriata and Cascina Modina.
Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?
Sadly, I cannot think of anything really innovative – there’s almost no one young living here, so it’s difficult to find new ideas blossoming.
Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?
Osteria del Vecchio Asilo, in Tricerro, is a traditiona Piemontese restaurant with interesting modern touch and attention to local products and wines.
© Osteria del Vecchio Asilo
Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?
Not as far as I know, but in Vercelli and Casale Monferrato there are markets once per month that can be interesting.
– Natural Vercelli (Vercelli) for vegetables, cheese, honey and bread (1st – 3rd Saturday of every month)
– Il Paniere (Casale Monferrato) for vegetables, cheese, bread and crafts (3rd Saturday of every month except August)
– Mercatino dell’Antiquariato (Casale Monferrato), renowed antiques market (2nd Sunday of every month except August)
What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?
– Gmail
– Instagram
– Telegram
Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?
None. I only got some information from friends or posts I see on Instagram.
Imagine you could be mayor for a year – what would you change?
Investing in a different kind of tourism here – bike, trekking and sports instead of luxury resorts with swimming pools and spa.
© Gianluca Grassano, Camino, Riso e Rose
One last question: If you could choose another place to live – regardless of financial or time constrains – which one would you choose?
Spending 3-6 months in different parts of Europe would be great. Winter in the Alps or on Crete, summer in a forest in Poland or in Norway. We don’t have a plan, yet, but we’re looking for a camper van to move our “lives” changing with the seasons. Still working on it.
© Courtesy of the artist
