A European Master Teaches in the US: Verdiano Marzi this Spring

Odalisca Bianca, 2007  61 x 90 centimeters

We love Verdiano Marzi.  We love his work.  We love his love of mosaics.  We love his love of life.

Verdiano student and award-winning artist Sophie Drouin wrote a profile of him for the 2009 edition of the MAN magazine which you can read by clicking here.  Meeting him last year at the SAMA conference in Chicago in 2010 was an honor, dancing with him a delight, and listening to his keynote speech spellbinding.  A few quotes:

"Mosaic is all about using the senses -- it is sensual -- it is very full of experience."

Silenzio, 2008 48 x 44 centimeters

"When we use the rock, we are privileged to open up millions of years."

Trained in Italy, Marzi lives now in France and is one of the most well known and beloved mosaic masters in Europe.  He teaches regularly at the Louvre, Ravenna, and  Sicily.

American mosaicists will have an extraordinary opportunity to learn from him this spring when he teaches 3 intensive courses in Chicago.  If you can possibly attend any of them, do not think twice.  Go.  Ms. Drouin will act as his assistant and interpreter -- and anyone who was at SAMA can tell you that her translations flow effortlessly.  Language will not be a problem.

The two 5- day classes are available for open enrollment;  Ancient Roman and Byzantine Mosaic Reproduction and Modern Expression with Verdiano Marzi (Full descriptions below).

The third, a 6-day class entitled Advanced Master Class in Modern Expression, can best be described as a graduate-school level experience with an intense mixture of concept presentation, experimentation and critiquing.  Enrollment for this class is not open.  In the tradition of master classes in any art form, participants will be selected by Maestro Marzi after he has reviewed photographs of their work.

Does that application process sound intimidating?  Don't let it be.  Maestro Marzi is a teacher who loves to teach and nothing thrills him more than to create an environment where students have break-through moments.   He is kind and generous.  Don't let the fear of not being selected stand between you and the opportunity to do something extraordinary for yourself. (further description below)

NOTE:  The DEADLINE for applications for the Master Class is NOVEMBER 15th.

Icona, 2007 25.5 x 25.5 centimeters

Maestro Marzi will be teaching at the Chicaco Mosaic School, an excellent facility for mosaic learning.  All tools, materials and a tour of Chicago's glorious mosaics are included in the prices.

Ancient Roman and Byzantine Mosaic Reproduction  March 30 - April 3, 2011

Verdiano Marzis’ 5-day workshop will focus on creating an exact copy of an ancient mosaic, a tried and true way of teaching basic and advanced mosaic techniques. All modern expressions are derived from an ancient type of mosaic “grammar”, and this workshop will familiarize and/or refresh students with its infinite subtleties. The double-reverse method, invented in Ravenna, will be used to create a copy of either a Roman or a Byzantine mosaic blueprint, employing a temporary support of lime putty imprinted with a detailed plan of the mosaic. Highly recommended to all artists, beginning through advanced. $850


Modern Expression with Verdiano Marzi -- April 6 - 10, 2011

This 5-day workshop will explore modern expression in mosaics, while stressing the importance and discipline of andamento and cohesion within the language and balance of design. Maestro Marzi will work with students collectively and individually to assist in developing an eye for composition and color in the students artistic expression. A mixture of glass and stone materials will be provided for a wide range of design possibilities. Hammer and hardie cutting techniques will be used for both stone and glass, and the adhesive will be fine thinset. Class size is limited.  $850

Advanced Master Class in Modern Expressionism with Verdiano Marzi, April 12 - 17, 2011

A select number of experienced mosaic artists who wish to reach new ground in their art. This exclusive 6-Day class will explore mosaic technique at the highest level through critical discussions, demonstrations and material experimentation. A mixture of stone and glass will be provided to students for a wide range of design possibilities. Hammer and hardie cutting techniques will be used for both stone and glass, and the adhesive will be fine thinset.   $1200

To learn more about the classes and enroll, please go to the Chicago Mosaic School website, select Visiting Artists Workshops, and you are there.

To see more about Maestro Marzi and see more of his work, use these links:

http://it.paperblog.com/mosaicomarzi-71871/
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x49vt0_verdiano-marzi_creation (video after commercial)
http://www.solo-mosaico.org/2009/verdiano-marzi/?lang=en


Enjoy -- Nancie