- Art & Design
The Flâneries exhibition offers an extraordinary exploration of the interfaces between nature and urbanity, translated into ceramic art by a talented group of female PHILIA ceramists. Lisa Allegra, Pia Chevalier, Elsa Foulon, Leontine Furcy, Laura Pasquino and Elisa Uberti take us on a contemplative journey through the dynamic and sometimes chaotic streets of New York City. Inspired by the literary movement of the Flâneur, as recorded by Charles Baudelaire and Walter Benjamin, these artists explore the subtle and often overlooked aspects of urban life through their art.
The Flâneur, a walker strolling contemplatively through the city, absorbs the rhythm of city life and discovers the hidden stories and nuances hidden behind the façade of a metropolis. Flâneries captures this spirit of aimless wandering and translates the city's impressions into ceramic artworks that resonate both visually and emotionally. Each piece offers a fragment of a flaneur's journey, a silent witness to the urban diversity and poetry unfolding in the everyday scenes of New York City. Ceramics, with its transformative qualities, serves as the perfect medium for this exhibition. The malleable nature of clay makes it possible to create a wealth of textures, shapes and colours that reflect the vibrant energy of the city. Each artwork in Flâneries tells a story and offers a personal interpretation of the urban labyrinth. The ceramic pieces act as storytellers, inviting us to rediscover the city through their unique visual and tactile qualities. 
Flâneries captures the spirit of aimless wandering and translates the impressions of the city into ceramic artworks that resonate both visually and emotionally
Lisa Allegra approaches ceramics with a refined hand and a passion for combining different forms and functions. Her creations range from elegant vases to architectural elements, playing with the balance between aesthetics and functionality. Her work embodies the power of clay to transform and adapt to the needs of everyday environments. Pia Chevalier brings a spontaneous and raw approach to ceramics to her designs. With a background in decoration and surface treatment, she gives everyday objects sculptural status, celebrating the beauty of imperfections and transformations. Elsa Foulon focuses on ceramic lighting and functional objects, with a design philosophy that emphasises simplicity, subtle detailing and a unique interpretation of proportions. Her work creates a harmony between aesthetics and practicality.Leontine Furcy explores the textures and shapes of clay in an intuitive and sculptural way. Her works are a reflection of an inner quest and an expression of free forms that capture the dynamism and diversity of human experience. Laura Pasquino uncovers a delicate balance between the organic forms of nature and ceramic design. Her pieces invite viewers to explore the interaction between art and nature, through fluid lines and contrasts in texture. Elisa Uberti combines her experience from the fashion industry with a passion for ceramics to create refined and timeless objects. Her work, characterised by curved shapes and a refined aesthetic, explores the poetry of spaces and the integration of traditional and modern elements. 
Flâneries is more than an exhibition; it is an invitation to experience the everyday life of a vibrant city through the eyes of the artists. The ceramic works by these six female artists offer a contemplative journey through the poetic and visual richness of New York City, inviting visitors to discover the beauty and stories hidden in the interstitial spaces of urban environments. The exhibition will be on view from 8 to 31 August at PHILIA, located at 74 Warren St., NYC, NY. Come and be enchanted by the art of urban strolling, and discover how ceramics can tell a story that transcends time and space.
Images courtesy of PHILIA
Text by Celien Hemelaer