Below the surface: SICIS

Within even the most historic and traditional art forms, there are opportunities for technical and stylistic innovation. European art was revolutionised by the adoption of oil painting in the 14th century, and by subsequent movements including Baroque, Rococo, Romanticism, Impressionism, Symbolism and, eventually, the modern art of the 20th and 21st centuries. At the forefront of each of these styles were the pioneers who set out to make their discipline more relevant for a contemporary audience.

For the past 25 years, Italian brand Sicis has been pioneering innovation in its chosen field: the ancient art of mosaic. Its approach to industrialising mosaic production, whilst maintaining its artisanal quality, sets it apart in the contemporary market, and is the reason its products are favoured by the world’s leading architects and interior designers.

In 1989, Sicis founder Maurizio Placuzzi developed a more efficient way to achieve stunning mosaic designs using the latest technologies. His patented invention, known as the “double indirect method” allows tiles to be pre-assembled on a backing mesh of varying sizes, which then combine to form the final mosaic display. Needless to say, it revolutionised the mosaic industry. The process made it possible to produce mosaics on a larger scale and at a more affordable price point, enabling the company to expand and collaborate with clients around the world.

Sicis is based in the town of Ravenna, which is the historic centre of Italian mosaic production. It employs local artisans and graduates from the town’s Mosaic Art School, who are trained in the ancient skills of mosaic production. Sicis is also dedicated to furthering the evolution of mosaic to ensure its continued relevance in the 21st century. This approach has resulted in groundbreaking products including iridescent mosaic, metal mosaic, mosaic-covered mannequins and, more recently, a divergence into the worlds of jewellery, horology, and interior decor.

One of the key reasons for the popularity of Sicis mosaic is the infinite creative possibilities it offers. A range of more than 600 colours facilitates the creation of exceptionally detailed images, subtle chromatic gradients, and bold, contemporary designs. Customers can choose from thousands of standard patterns, or commission bespoke mosaics that can be tailored to the requirements of a particular space. An array of products in varying shapes and sizes, including 3D chips, reinforced glass, precious stones and metals, also makes it easier to achieve a truly unique surface treatment. As a result, Sicis mosaics can be found in many of the world’s most prestigious and glamorous buildings, from the 7-star Burj Al Arab Hotel to Caesar’s Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The pursuit of innovation has also led Sicis to explore entirely new directions for mosaic. One of the most influential products it has introduced to the market in recent years is Vetrite – a tile made by sandwiching one of 56 metal and textile surfaces between two slabs of engineered glass. This novel solution provides the versatility and robustness required to bring a modern decorative touch to surfaces such as walls, floors, countertops, pools and backsplashes.

One of several bold moves Sicis has made in recent years is its expansion into interior products and home furnishings, in order to offer its customers a holistic solution for all their decorating needs. The development of over 250 items, ranging from furniture and lighting to textiles and accessories, means designers can now apply the “Sicis style” consistently across both residential and hospitality projects. Inevitably, mosaic is incorporated throughout the collection, with intricate tiled inserts appearing alongside materials such as silk, ebony, glass and precious stones. The introduction in 2015 of the Tesserae textiles collection showed that ideas and inspiration from mosaic could even translate into a range of bold and innovative upholstery products.

Like each tile in a mosaic, every product in the Sicis portfolio is treated with the same care and attention to ensure its holistic offering is consistent in style and quality. The result is a vision for contemporary living that combines avant-garde thinking with a dedication to traditional craft.

© Architonic