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SICIS Traditional and generation 2.0 mosaics for the leading company in the sector. Its innovative and technological approach means products by the Ravenna-based brand are in demand all over the world by Micaela Zucconi

Detail of an art mosaic in a private residence. Below, two chairs from the Amaretto series, inspired by different artistic movements translated into mosaic and depicted on fabric, here, Tribale rose and Dripping blue

rom micro to macro and back. The name of the Raven-

Dubai Expo, in the Italian pavilion’s Teatro della Memoria.

na-based company Sicis is an acronym for the Latin

The Italian company’s success can be attributed to patented production

phrase “Sic Immensos Clarosque Inceptos Somniavi”,

processes like the important “doppio indiretto” method that makes it

meaning “I dreamt of great and famous ventures”. At

possible to prepare mosaics in the workshop on a lighter backing than

the core of its entire range of products is the mosaic, a development

the traditional cement, plaster or glue. They are prepared in reverse

of the traditional artistic form. The story begins in 1987, a commis-

and in sections, so they can then be transported anywhere and instal-

sion from Saudi Arabia and the vision of the founder Maurizio Leo

led in place, providing almost endless opportunities in residential and

Placuzzi. Inspired by the masterworks of Ravenna’s Roman monu-

maritime settings – Sicis, in fact, makes mosaic decorations for yachts

ments, he places mosaics in an architectural setting and interprets

and megayachts. The company’s portfolio includes the schooner Eos,

them in a new style and with new functionality, giving them an

one of the largest yachts in the world, given a unique character by

intensely contemporary appeal. The past is a starting point for a

a swimming pool with motifs drawn from the nautical world. Sicis

modern, technological and industrial vision of this material, which

mosaics also find further interpretations in furniture, objects and ac-

still requires great artisanal skills, the company’s hallmark. Its master

cessories. Design Week 2021 saw the presentation of the new Amaretto

mosaicists cut the tiles by hand and apply them one by one. Eight

chairs, inspired by various artistic currents translated into mosaics

formats and sixteen finishes are available for the glass tiles, resulting

and represented on fabric. The classic-futuristic concept expressed

in an offer of over 900 different tiles and more than 700 colours. Not

by Sicis has met with great success, reflected by the showrooms it has

forgetting other materials, including stone, gold, platinum, brass and

opened around the world, from its first single brand in New York in

steel. Backed by success and intense research, the team has gradually

2006 to Paris, Istanbul, Milan, Dubai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shanghai,

expanded the range of products in its portfolio. One development

Mumbai, New Delhi, Tokyo, Beijing, Chengdu and many others. As

is Vetrite, an innovative material that is a synthesis of glass, metal

part of the brand’s constant evolution the family company was joined

polymers and even textile fibres, which enables the creation of large

by Gioia Placuzzi, who after studying at the Cass Business School in

strips with colours and textures for floors and walls, with daring, hi-

London and spending several years in the London branch of Sicis is

ghly unusual furnishing solutions. The plays of reflected light filtered

now Operational Director in Ravenna. Brought up in the business, she

through the tiles are now joined by Vetrite Patterns for external walls,

combines her marketing skills with a passion for jewellery. With the

in collaboration with the architect Marco Piva, presented at the recent

experience she gained by studying for a diploma at the Gemological

Cersaie event in Bologna. This highly-technical system is suitable for

Institute of America in London, Gioa also oversees after the jewellery

all design needs – it is extremely expressive at a decorative level, and

and watches, made unique by precious micromosaics created in a

is also environmentally-aware.

dedicated atelier. This ancient technique is now used to embellish

The old, well-loved mosaics have not been usurped, however. Pla-

contemporary necklaces, for which the company is developing cutting-

cuzzi is constantly experimenting, and produces exclusively in Italy.

edge patents and entering into collaborations with other brands in the

Classic, pixellated or hyper-modern, Sicis mosaics transcend national

sector. Learning from the past to step into the future.

frontiers – they were also present with gold and artistic mosaics at the

www.sicis.com

Mosaic with Necton decorative motif presented at the recent Cersaie event in Bologna. Left, surface inspired by the undersea world for the swimming pool on the superyacht Eos

questions to Maurizio Leo Placuzzi SICIS President Are you on the way to obtaining important certifications? Can you tell me which ones? Our vetrite has been certified as resistant to temperature, humidity, UV rays, stains and abrasions. It has also been certified as non-slip and photocatalytic. Acoustic certification is the next step. What technical developments are you working on and what sectors do you plan on expanding into? As well as new cladding materials we’re developing new uses and innovations for our Vetrite and mosaics. Speaking of Vetrite, our research and development department is currently working on protypes of the first photovoltaic Vetrite models, providing a clean energy source. We’re also looking at new uses for walls in Vetrite or mosaics in the general context of domotics. What are the next developments from Sicis for the nautical industry? The yacht-building sector’s demand for high technical content and exclusivity has encouraged us to integrate technology into our covering materials. For the first time it’s possible to integrate touch switches behind a cladding, with no visible elements to interrupt the aesthetic effect desired by the client and architects. In this way we also protect the technology underneath the surface, preserving it from wear. Alongside our partners we seek to make Vetrite compatible with the highest possible number of technological devices and systems currently on the market. In the medium term we can directly develop technologies linked to all the product lines. Sicis products will be increasingly integrated with their host environment. In which countries do you plan to open new showrooms? We’re shortly going to open a new “Casa Sicis” in Dubai. We’re expanding our presence in China and at the same time we’re keeping a close eye on India, where we’ve just opened a new showroom in New Delhi. It’s the same for Kuala Lumpur and other strategically important cities in malaysia and Indonesia. We’re opening our first Vetrite Art Gallery in New York on January 2nd. What are the most popular patterns? There’s significant worldwide demand for precious art mosaics. Demand for the simple mosaic tiles vary greatly from country to country. In the context of Vetrite the GemGlass collection has proved to be very popular.

Above, the spa on the yacht Vicky. Right, the parapet of a Vetrite terrace with Frost motif, presented at the most recent Cersaie. At the core of SICIS’s entire range of products is the mosaic, a development of the traditional artistic form