THE BEGINNING
Some things are pre-destined for each one of us, as if a superior power has provided for them. This is what I feel that has happened regarding art and freemasonry.
They must have been destined for me, long before I was born. My choosing their direction was just the natural flow of the plan of the Immovable Mover.
My studies in Florence and mainly the social circle I developed which was “artigiani”, meaning craftsmen, artisans, helped me a lot because through hard work and their help I build the know-how I am now master of. Florence has been a town with huge tradition in the skin processing and the monastery of Santa Croce is the guardian of this knowledge.
MY PHILOSOPHY
At first, I think that I should refer to the philosophy of my work regarding the aprons, in order to explain the level of my work and the reasons why I choose such a time consuming and demanding technique.
Let me mention that this “ceremony of array” was engraved inside my mind. I can imagine that the inedible character of the ceremony and its basic element which is nothing else than the apron from the lamp skin, derives from the deep roots it has in history.
The apron is not just a ritual accessory. For me, the apron each brother wears is much more than that. It is the first gift, which the newly introduced students are given and the first symbol on which they will need to work in order to learn from this. It is fair enough that it has been named the “Emblem of the Mason”, because the only certain thing is that regardless of the students’ future progress in the “Royal Art”, in whatever deeper secret mystery get led to by their thirst for knowledge and devotion to the institution, the apron will forever be their first array which they will never separate from.
And this is why the masons have been taught in their life to glorify work and they never stop working even without the apron within the uninitiated society. Hence, reflecting upon the meaning of this symbol, I considered that it would be great if I could contribute to every brother’s effort to their struggle of mounting their personal mental path. Every time each one of us sees that their faith is shocked by and everything gets darker or collapses, they could get strengthened by the power and love with which is enclosed in this ritual instrument as the highest symbol of mental work.
MY WORK
It is a fact that every time I get to work with the creation of a unique piece for a colleague, I get isolated in my inner temple from the very first moment I start working in my laboratory.
It is a ritual, not just a processing. The parameter that makes my work distinct is the fact that I create apron upon a specific order. Each piece is produced after a long conversation and personal contact with the target owner. It is a totally personal object and of course unique. The deep communication is a prerequisite in order to form a clear image of the brother’s soul and his/her mental journey. This is when I start composing the various symbols which will help the brother get strengthened and make his/her own retrospection, reflecting on their masonry path. It is something like a map, a compass but also a type of support for the tough times. It is a “manitu”. It carries its own spirit.
When its composition is ready and we decide the final form, I start the production of the colors through natural mineral pigments. It is that very moment that my laboratory looks like an alchemist’s workplace. I start the application of the colors on the lamp skin and every brushstroke is a positive thought for the brother which will always accompany and support him/her. It is like a pray.
In the end, the brother receives the apron in a luxurious package in an acid free micro-environment including all the certificates of authenticity and oneness of this piece of work. Moreover, the brother will receive the draft of the apron, which is also a work of art. It is about an aquarelle in handmade cotton French paper. All this process lasts about three months until each piece, which is unique, is completed. This work includes a great deal of details, many parts of it are produced with a magnifying glass and it doesn’t reproduce old prototypes. It only makes use of known motifs, which consist of original compositions targeting the emphasis of each mason’s uniqueness as well as his/her path.
HANDMADE MASONIC APRONS
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