Cersaie’s 2007 poster was designed by architect Toyo Ito.


For a quarter of a century, Cersaie has claimed the top spot as the premier International Exhibition of Ceramic Tiles and Bathroom Furnishings. With more than 1,000 exhibitors hailing from 32 countries and a 156,000-square-meter show floor, the five-day trade fair, slated for Oct. 2-6, has distinguished itself as a springboard for innovation, cutting-edge products, modern designs and foremost trends.

To celebrate, show organizers Edi.Cer, together with Confindustria Ceramica, Centro Ceramico and BolognaFiere, have planned an enriching series of events.

The 2007 spotlight will be on “Creativitiles,” a special exhibition that explores the versatility and multifaceted capability of Italian ceramic tile. Curated by Professor Enrico Manelli, Director of the Accademia di Belle Arti of Ravenna, the one-of-a-kind exhibit will feature 16 famous paintings including works by Klimt, Modigliani, Renoir, and Vincent Van Gogh that have been recreated using Italian tile collections already available on the market.

The comprehensive program will also include a variety of technical and economic seminars. Trade experts will discuss a range of topics including the state of technology, standards, research, installation and energy saving in the ceramic industry. On Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 11 a.m., Confindustria Ceramica will present their 12th Annual Distributor Award to four importers/distributors who have excelled in their relations with Italian tile producers.

This year’s keynote address will be held on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Palazzo dei Congressi in the Bologna exhibition center. Swiss-born architect Mario Botta will take the stage as part of Architecture Day, an annual event held during Cersaie. Botta, who curated the “Guscio” exhibit featuring Italian ceramic tiles at the Triennale in Milan last April, is renowned for his capacity to experiment with contextualized architecture. Entitled, “Architecture and Memory,” the exhibit is promoted by Confindustria Ceramica and organized by Edi.Cer.

Toyo Ito, who is considered to be one of the world’s most innovative and influential architects, joins the list of prominent figures that have been commissioned to design the Cersaie poster. Early modernist movements, minimalism and nature inspire his works. Ito’s topographic grid-like image for the 2007 Cersaie exhibition symbolizes the synthesis of architecture and natural systems. His predecessors include: Antonio Citterio (Cersaie 2006), David Palterer (2005), Hani Rashid (2004), Denis Santachiara (2003), Massimo Iosa Ghini (2002), Alessandro Mendini (2001) and Ettore Sottsass (2000).

For additional information and a schedule of the general conference program, visit Cersaie’s official websitewww.Cersaie.it.