Gesi, master papier-mâché maker
Like all kids growing up in Putignano, Gesi got into carnival traditions already as a child. Then, in the early 2000s, she came to a turning point in her life when she left an office job and, following up her dormant artistic vein, joined her brother Deni - a renowned master papier-mâché maker - in creating the iconic papier-mâché floats for the Putignano Carnival.
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Italian and English (on request: French, Spanish, Portuguese...)
All the tools and materials to make your own artwork during the papier-mâché workshop
The artwork that you will have created yourself, ready to take home at the end of the papier-mâché workshop
Wear comfortable clothing (you might get dirty)
Bring a jacket during the cold season
Gesi will welcome you in one of the historic workshops where the huge papier-mâché floats of the famous Putignano Carnival come to life. It is here that Gesi has made papier-mâché her main profession together with her brother Deni, a renowned artist.
At the beginning of the papier-mâché workshop, Gesi will tell you about the origins of the carnival and in particular of the Putignano Carnival (one of the oldest in Europe according to historical records). Afterwards, Gesi will explain and show you how each year the famous papier-mâché floats, as tall as a three-story building, are conceived, designed and built.
Next, getting to the heart of the papier-mâché workshop, under Gesi’s expert guidance, you will roll up your sleeves and make a papier-mâché artwork yourself, which you will take home at the end of the experience. Gesi will let you choose the type of object to make among two or three options. You will make the object with a technique that is still used today to decorate the huge papier-mâché floats, simply using newspaper and flour glue.
Giving shape to papier-mâché is an extremely relaxing art activity, suitable for all ages, from families with small kids to couples and groups of friends. During the papier-mâché workshop, you will have time to chat with Gesi to ask her all the questions you want and learn more about her story as a papier-mâché master.
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I had the pleasure of attending the papier mache workshop experience with Gesi at the workshop of Deni Bianco (award-winning master papier-mâché maker, and creator of the sets for Caparezza’s “Museica” and “Exuvia” tours!). After the exciting introduction to the world of papier-mâché, with due mention of the history of Putignano’s Carnival, we were invited to “get our hands dirty” by making a papier-mâché artwork. Recommended for everyone: young and old, Apulian and not! ????
It was a wonderful afternoon spent in the company of Gesi Bianco inside the shed where the artisans’ skilful and attentive hands transform paper into three-dimensional masterpieces of gigantic dimensions. The impression is that of entering a fantasy world, where you feel very small and completely immersed in the visionary imagination of the master Deni Bianco.
Highly recommended! I participated with my 8-year-old son in the papier-mâché experience and it was really interesting as well as super fun!
We also created objects with this technique, so you can bring home a lovely souvenir that many people appreciated. I highly recommend the papier mache workshop even if you think you don’t have an artistic flair because you will still be able to create “your own piece of art”.
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Note: the experience is confirmed upon reaching the minimum number of participants.
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Quality
We co-design all the experiences ourselves with the artisans
Authenticity
We only work with real craftsmen and craftswomen
Relationship
Small groups of participants facilitate the encounter with the artisan
Reliability
We listen to your needs
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We promote local culture and community development delle comunità
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