We recently connected with Manuela Dalle and have shared our conversation below.
Manuela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had started sooner?
I worked as a filmmaker for 20 years. I just finished my last documentary about a group of incarcerated people who dance in a high security prison. I’m super happy with this film and I will continue to accompany it across the country with special screenings followed by QnA, but since 2 years, I developed a ceramics activity and I’m blessed I found this activity. I feel like as if I was born for it.
First time I did ceramics was 10 years ago, but it was just a hobby. I kept continue to direct documentary, then, 2 years ago I began to work more and more with clay and very quickly it became my main activity. I’ve been very lucky as the beginning of this new career stared well, I did my first exhibition in May and I will have a solo show in December in Los Angeles.
Everyday I wake up so happy, I love to work, I love to create with this material. I just turn 50 and I realize it’s the beginning of a new career, a new adventure that will nurture and challenge me for the rest of my life.
Now, I need to consolidate the promising beginnings, work on the marketing aspect, convinces the art world with this practice… this is a new exiting new path.
I don’t say I won’t ever direct a movie again but for sure, with the ceramics, I’m a really fulfilled and inspired woman.
Manuela, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m doing a lot of murals/bas reliefs. I also make some side tables and stools.
I love big ceramics pieces but I also declined my different design in smaller (more affordable) pieces.
I don’t really do tableware except some special object as for exemple an inverted handle carafe.
I love to create ceramics installation. The last one I did was for the ‘world capital of design 2024 Tijuana/san Diego’. I create a space full of small dancers figurines inspired by the notation system of the choreographer Dimitri Chamblas.
When someone buys one of my pieces, if possible, I like to go and install it in their home.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
I don’t have much interest in NFTs. I think it’s a good idea to start with, but I get the impression that it quickly ran out of steam….
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
When I create something, there are 2 stages that I love. First of all, it’s when the idea arrives, and then above all, when what I call the right moment arrives, the moment when I feel I’ve reached the right shape, the right form. The object imposes itself.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
©️ Olivia fougeirol