Born out of a need to bring order, clarity, and discipline to a growing artistic practice. It emerged from a desire
to set firm benchmarks that would guide the creation of truly meaningful work, serving as a boundary against
directionless production. The ultimate catalyst for this evolution was a radical shift in the working environment –
moving the physical space of creation directly into the forest. Late-night sessions spent working amidst the
stillness of the woods became the foundational ground where raw impressions began to take shape, forcing a deep
confrontation with purpose and process.
At its core, Riconessione stands for a total alignment between artistic intention, respect for the environment, and
human connection. It addresses the quiet need to slow down, listen to the local matter, and establish an unbroken
dialogue with the natural world. Rather than remaining an abstract concept, this ethos directly shapes every
physical piece produced, dictating not just what is made, but why and how it comes into existence.
To ensure that this philosophy would never fade into distant idealizations or be lost over time, its principles were
condensed into seven core values. These foundational terms were then permanently sculpted into two ceramic tablets,
turning a certain mindset into a physical manifesto that stands a pillar of the studio’s identity.
The philosophy was born out of a profound need to bring order, clarity, and discipline to an expanding artistic
practice, establishing firm benchmarks that would guide the pursuit of meaningful work. The catalyst for this
transformation was a radical shift in the working environment – moving the physical studio directly into the heart
of the forest. Late-night sessions spent working amidst the stillness of the woods became the foundational ground
where raw impressions took shape, forcing a deep confrontation with purpose and process.
Surrounded by a natural world offering an infinite reservoir of inspiration, and enriched by open, reflective
conversations with close friends and collaborators, these meditations gradually crystallized. Nature provided the
framework for patience and authenticity, while human connection lent it resonance. Through this dialogue between the
wilderness and personal relationships, seven distinct values emerged to form an internal compass designed to
navigate every future decision.
To permanently codify this manifesto, these values were distilled into seven single-word imperatives. Each word acts
as a spell, encapsulating a specific aspect of the broader philosophy – unity with nature, with the other man, with
one’s needs, with patience, with the masters, with home, and with the world.
These seven words were hand-sculpted onto two ceramic tablets, created in close collaboration with sculptor and
Mateusz’s dear friend Olga Michaluk. This tactile process transformed transient, spoken thoughts into an enduring
physical monument, fusing artistic friendship with a shared dedication to material truth.
Following their firing, the ceramic tablets were intentionally kept in their raw state, retaining all the subtle
textures, cracks, and honest imperfections born from fire and clay. Today, these unglazed slabs stand as a clear,
tangible emblem of codified thought, which stand behind every action of the studio up to this day.
