Cinnabar carters - PURA VIDA BAROCCA
Tel. +39 335 329 0746
Tel. +39 328 651 0358
Tel. +39 335 329 0746
Tel. +39 328 651 0358
Tel. +39 335 329 0746
Tel. +39 328 651 0358
Tel. +39 335 329 0746
Tel. +39 328 651 0358
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Cinnabar carters
Excursions and Experiences
In the heart of Ragusa Ibla there is a place that has remained
still unchanged over time.
Last outpost of the knowledge of a past world
that the modernity of this century risks erasing forever from our memory.
Cinabro, an old workshop of master painters from
Sicilian carts, brought back to life the art of
cart and today it is configured as a museum of itself.
Entering it is like opening a secret casket
where you are welcomed by colors, beauty and history.
Who we are
"The Sicilian cart no longer exists", this is the common thought about the symbol par excellence of Sicilian art, now considered an old forgotten memory. It once reigned on the streets screaming at the pomp of its owner, showing off his vivid colors. The cart was an essential subject in the life of a Sicilian man who invested his sacrifices in it, because horse and cart were the wealth of the family.
All this is now forgotten, it is true. But what is forgotten does not necessarily mean it no longer exists.
The cart is there. There are few corners in Sicily where one hand still carves a bank, while on the other hand a brush still decorates the Sicilian cart, respecting its history and traditional art. There is still someone who knows how to embroider a horse harness and who knows its history.
We are Biagio Castilletti and Damiano Rotella, the last artisans who for twenty-six years have dedicated themselves to painting and the restoration of Sicilian carts. There are no books, lecture notes or websites in which to study to learn this profession. It is an art that has always been handed down orally from master to pupil. So we did. When we were boys we were apprentices in Domenico Di Mauro's workshop, we worked and learned the notions that would allow us to achieve professionalism.
Today, in our historic shop located in the lower part of the eighteenth-century Donnafugata palace in Ragusa Ibla, we embody what is left of the cart, we make sure that there is still a difference between "not existing" and "being forgotten". And, so that people rediscover what has been forgotten, we undertake to spread the art of the cart so that what is now only a small seed can spread, flourish again, so that no one still says "the Sicilian cart does not exist. more".
What we have done
In 2011 we received an important commission: a completely sculpted cart whose painting would have been inspired by what was called "the most beautiful cart in Sicily", created in 1956 by the best craftsmen of the time. The process took almost a year because we wanted to generate something that represented our pride, that reflected us. Even today that remains our calling card.
In 2014 we were invited to a Google conference, at the Verdura Golf Resort in Sciacca, to represent Sicilian art with impromptu art and painting workshops for congress participants.
Since 2015 we have been taking care of the painting of art appliances designed for Dolce and Gabbana and Smeg.
In our shop were shot and advertising photographs for the project "Sicily is my love". One of these photographs is also used as a print in the paper bags of the Dolce and Gabbana stores. In the same period we decorated some pieces of furniture from Domenico Dolce's personal villa.
In 2016 the collaboration with the Anthea Gioielli brand begins, for which we take care of the line of Sicilian bags and accessories.
In 2017 the renowned Attolini tailoring asked to use our shop as a photographic set.
Also in that year, photographer Steve McCurry, famous for the "Afghan Girl", took a series of photographs in our shop. One of these, entitled "Fiat Bambino", was purchased by the American cruise company Silversea which, the following year, during an event in Palermo held in the prestigious Villa Igiea, invites us to participate as the protagonists of the shot.
In 2018 we deliver the painted 500 immortalized in McCurry's shot, after 7 years of work, which will be exhibited in a museum in Messina. In the same year the Council of Ministers asked us to organize a painting workshop at the Donnafugata Resort.
Our works are published in various volumes, including Orlando Furioso in the mirror of images, an encyclopedic volume published by Treccani. Interviews and footage of our work have appeared on La Sicilia, Il Gattopardo, Freetime, the Raiuno Top - Everything is trendy and the Sky Master of Photografy program.
Goals
The protection and enhancement of cultural heritage are among the main objectives of Cinabro which was born with the intention of recovering an ancient popular tradition.
A tradition reflects the identity of a community in a specific era and that of the Sicilian carts, albeit recent, contains within it a world of meanings and symbols, because the cart is both a tool of daily use and an artifact of pure aesthetic value.
Cinabro is a living museum and it is precisely the museum aspect that makes it a unique place of its kind. In fact, today it is increasingly rare to be able to find the "actors" who keep an art of the past alive.
We are aware that in order to communicate heritage in the best possible way, an active dialogue is necessary with visitors of any age, but even more so with young people, because it is important to pass on the knowledge of a past world to future generations so that it is not lost in the present time.
The shop takes on a dual function: it is a workplace but at the same time it is a place of education and pleasure, a cognitive space where users can live unique experiences.
Active use develops awareness of one's own identity, strengthens the sense of belonging to the community and promotes knowledge, protection and enhancement of the cultural heritage.
Proposals for tourism
GUIDED TOUR
Back to the past: the Sicilian cart
Description: A tour of the last, historic craft shop of the Sicilian cart, preserved intact in its typicality. The story of the chariot will be told, explaining why it was painted and sculpted so lavishly only in Sicily. Period tools will be shown and their use illustrated, it will be possible to admire the authentic pieces on display and observe the master craftsmen at work.
The guided tour is also available in English.
Duration: about 20 minutes
Cost: € 5,00 each (minimum 2 people)
Group rate: € 100,00 per group, for a maximum of 30 participants.
Rate for exclusive tour: € 25,00 up to 2 pax. For each additional pax: + 10,00 €.
Reservations are recommended.
Cinabro carrettieri
Painting workshop
Live an experiential tourism
Description: Participants will create their very own souvenir, painting an artifact with the typical subjects of Sicilian art. They will experience the experience in the original context of the historic cart workshop, guided by the wisdom of the master painters.
After an initial theoretical and demonstrative phase, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the world of colors, experiencing art as a real aesthetic experience.
Duration: 2h
Cost: € 60,00 each
The workshop will be activated with a minimum of 2 participants, upon a deposit of € 50,00.
At least 72 hours notice is required.
Workshops outside the shop
It is possible, on request, to carry out the same laboratory in other facilities suitable for the purpose. If the place falls within the province of Ragusa, an extra fixed cost of € 200,00 is added to the individual fee. For any additional request, longer durations, different set-ups or outside the province of Ragusa, it is necessary to agree with the masters.
Carts rentals, impromptu and event organization
On request, it is possible to set up spaces with carts, Sicilian folklore elements, puppets, handicrafts and everything related to the world of Sicilian art.
You can organize events such as traditional weddings with the cart, furnish Sicilian-style rooms for birthdays or conferences, reconstruct the environment of the shop to offer impromptu from life.
Costs and details are to be defined on the basis of each case.
Guided tour for children
Description: through the animated story we will immerse ourselves in the world of the Sicilian cart explaining its characteristics, history and its protagonists. Children will enjoy discovering the differences and similarities between a car
modern and its ancestor on two wheels.
In the second phase of the visit we will tell an episode of Orlando Furioso through the use of images as well as they were storytellers, emblematic characters of culture Sicilian.
The playful-didactic workshop will end with a short demonstration inspired by the Sicilian puppet theater.
Duration: 30 minutes
Cost: € 3,00 each (minimum 10 children)
To set up the laboratory outside the shop, at altitude
individual, a fixed cost of € 150,00 must be added.