Tiles Collection De Maio
In this collaboration with Francesco De Maio, Kengo Kuma seeks to express nature through craftsmanship. In Vietri sul Mare, where a deep ceramic tradition endures, the tile becomes a surface upon which traces of the hand are deliberately and intentionally left visible.
The three collections present distinct brushing techniques.
Evolving from the thinnest and most delicate strokes to bolder, more textured gestures, the colors evoke elements of nature—water, mist, and earth.
Each piece exists as a point of convergence between material, movement, and landscape.
Across the entire surface of the tile, lines unfold as a single, continuous human gesture—delicate, yet guided by a clear and intentional will.
Rain
A veil of rain in constant motion.
The surface shimmers like water touched by light, with reflections that ripple and gradually fade.
Fluid brushstrokes evoke falling raindrops and drifting currents, creating a depth that is both ephemeral and alive.
Mist
A moment of quiet suspension in the air.
Layers of soft strokes merge like mist moving through leaves, blurring contours and softening light.
Overlapping tones give the tile a sense of depth, forming a subtle and hushed landscape.
Earth
Shaped by wind and time, the ground itself.
Like shifting sand, soft shadows settle into the surface.
Steady and tactile, it carries the calm strength of the land.
The raw terracotta remains exposed, its natural texture enhancing the depth and authenticity of the surface.
