P A C O O R T I

The architect PACO ORTI now works with his hands reaching fantastic results. Freshness and authenticity at his work and the beauty that is reflected are what I love most.

Are you still an architect or did you resign from architecture?I think I have never given up architecture. This discipline is a way of life for me, a way of approaching things. It’s true that now I’m not engaged in designing and making buildings, but I make objects (by my own hands). You could say that I work at the smaller scale of architecture.

Have you always wanted to work with ceramics?II have always been interested in natural materials (traditional materials) and craftsmanship. I’m working with ceramics right now, but I don’t rule out working with wood or glass in the future. In fact I’ve already tried to melt glass on ceramics. In conclusion, I want to work with traditional materials in a contemporary way.

How do you define your work?I I really don t know how to define my own work. It’s so personal that I find difficult to describe it. When I talk about my work, I always end up using these three words: intuition, experimentation and passion.

How did you begin? Was it hard?II feel like I’m still at the beginning. It has just been four months since I’ve got an oven in my house, to bake the pieces. Beginnings are never easy. However, I think I'm very lucky. I never would have thought certain things could happen, like being ArtFad Awards finalist.

Have you ever discouraged?A few times. But when I go back to the atelier and I start working, I forget everything. It’s worth it

Which would be your ideal project?My house. Designing and building my own house, colonizing it with my objects. It’s something I have been thinking about for a long time.

How do your ideas come up? Which ones are your sources of inspiration? Are you influenced by anyone?MMore than ideas, I would say that I materialize concerns. Right now I’m interested in textures, in their expressiveness. You could say that my inspiration comes from the Mediterranean, from the quality and the liveliness of its light. As regards the possible influences, I woudn’t know what to answer. But it’s obvious that all my influences come from architecture. I always carry Luis Barragan and Peter Zumthor ‘s texts with me.

Have you ever had a mentor that has supported and guided you?No. Well, some time ago I met Luisa Martí, director of an art agency (La ballena imantada). The truth is that her support is being very important, very special.

Which is your philosophy?Trying to be happy with what I do.

What is beauty for you?DDifficult question. Beauty can not be measured, but you can feel it. Beauty moves deeply.

Tell us, how a normal day in your work is?It depends on the day. I usually try to spend the mornings in my atelier, working with my hands, either with clay or other materials. Instead, in the afternoon I'm in the studio: editing images, connected on internet, and so on.

Which is the most difficult in your work?TThe hardest thing is the time I have to wait, once cooked the pieces, to open the oven. For this, it’s necessary that the pieces get cool inside. It takes a lot of hours.deeply.

Which is what you like most from your work?What I like most is the direct contact with the material, working on it with my own hands. Getting dirty. Another thing would be seeing the finished objects. Opening the oven and finding out the result is an indescribable moment. At the end, the oven always has the final say.

Which one has been your biggest success?CCertainly, it’s having found what makes me quiver. Working with hands.

MDBY PACO ORTI For more information and pictures, visit:

www.mdesignby.com/mdby-paco-orti/