CEDIT presents "Chimera" by Elena Salmistraro 

Offering a completely original expressive interpretation, the designer Elena Salmistraro reinvents the ceramic product in a unique, individual way laden with symbolic meaning. Highly decorative, “Chimera” invites sensory enjoyment and the large porcelain stoneware slabs create a fantastic universe inspired by nature and the chimera of the “grotesque” tradition, featuring very tactile and striking carved or raised designs.

Chimera, in Greek mythology, was a hybrid four-legged creature that had the appearance of a lion and dragon with a goat’s head grafted onto its central trunk. The decorative inspiration behind the collection is based on this mythological beast, the result of the imaginary combination of different creatures.

Born in 1983, Elena Salmistraro once again confirms her talent as an artist and designer with incomparable communicative power. Large ceramic slabs are the perfect backdrop for her inspiration. Through a three-dimensional process made possible by innovative technology, the collection reproduces the texture of leathers and fabrics, creating an original, highly tactile layered effect.

“Chimera” develops four graphic themes (Empatia, Radici, Ritmo and Colore) with motifs that blend different graphic and colour codes. In Empatia clown faces are mixed with Art Déco graphic references; in Radici the textures of different types of leather are used; Ritmo features a dialogue between the texture of the fabric and the designs of Gunta Stölzl and Anni Albers; finally, Colore has a spotted base juxtaposed with the dense presence of repeated silhouettes. The collection’s range is completed by a series of neutral continuous coverings. The result is a set of original ceramic coverings laden with symbolic meaning.

Always on the lookout for new talents and projects designed to investigate the boundaries of ceramic and its encroachment into the realm of art and design, the CEDIT – Ceramiche d’Italia brand has recognised Elena Salmistraro as a leading contemporary creative spirit.

“This collection is an introspective work,” explains the designer, “focusing on my life and the way I design. Chimera is like a book with four different chapters: I set out to differentiate these graphic motifs to create four totally different stories. The collaboration with CEDIT has been very stimulating; it was a wonderful challenge that allowed us, together, to create something new, experimental and fascinating."