Interview: 12PM
Luca Curci talks with 12pm during FRAGMENTED IDENTITIES, second appointment of BORDERS Art Fair 2020, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

Born from the desire of Michela Trento, designer of the brand and Gianluca Ricci to reinterpret objects from distant eras and countries: from the typical forms of the Victorian age to the symbolism of flowers that distinguishes Japanese culture. After a research that lasted over a year, the first collection was created in 2019: the material we have decide to use is finely worked brass in order to give each piece its own uniqueness. Each jewel has been entirely made by Italian craftsmen, from design to embroidery, from manufacture to the creation of a unique piece every time. Each creation, from bracelets to necklaces, from earrings to rings, is first drawn in a comic storyboard: each product has its own little story designed by the designer Michela Trento herself, who has always loved drawing and comics.

Luca Curci – What’s your background?
12PM – 12pm was born from the idea of Michela Trento and Gianluca Ricci, founders of the brand of which Michela is also the designer who has always been linked to fashion and design and a supporter of Made in Italy.

LC – What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
12PM – After a research that lasted over a year all over the world, we decided to reinterpret objects from distant eras and countries: from the typical forms of the Victorian age to the symbolism of flowers that distinguishes Japanese culture. We decide to create a design jewels entirely handmade by Italian artisan, because sometimes we fear that these works may disappear and we try to highlight these Italian excellences

LC – What are you currently working on?
12PM – We are working on Alabastron, the Stone of the Gods. Alabaster of Volterra is A white stone which, due to its particular softness, lends itself to being easily worked and able to reproduce motifs rich in detail. Finely engraved by hand, it comes from alabaster, like a delicate and elegant embroidery, a stylized lotus flower. Set in brass it is embellished with a black gold-plated.

LC – What is your creative process like? What is the most challenging part about creating your jewels?
12PM – Each creation, from bracelets to necklaces from earrings to rings, is first drawn in a comic storyboard: each product has its own little story designed by the designer Michela Trento herself, who has always loved drawing and comics. From the sketch we move on to the search for the material with which we want to make the jewel: it is a 4-handed work, carried out with specialized craftsmen.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
12PM – We don’t change the style, we evolve.

LC – How did the concept of this festival inspire you? In which way the jewels presented in our exhibition are connected with the festival’s theme?
12PM – For our installation we used an ancient birdcage made of wood and wrought iron, inside which we wanted to recreate a trunk where are housed the choker and six earrings that fly in the air like butterflies, to recreate the relationship between nature and stone.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform? And what about the organization of our event and our services?
12PM – We have found in ITSLIQUID a great availability and professionalism as well as an innovative way to propose our brand. The organization of the event was flawless and we look forward to collaborating with ITSLIQUID in the future.