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La Biota: Difference between revisions
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In Italian and in English, ‘biota’ is an ecological term, designating the complex of flora and fauna in a particular habitat. In the Lombard dialect, “la Biota” also roughly translates to “the naked.” Both of these senses were in mind when Sottocasa baptized la Biota, and both remain central themes in the production of la Biota pipes. On the one hand, Sottocasa approaches pipes as being an object that intimates the connection between humans and nature, much in the way that the various flora and fauna of an ecosystem are bound together as a condition of their flourishing. Nature is a prominent theme more broadly in la Biota pipes, as Sottocasa finds much of the inspiration for his designs from frequent mountain walks in Italy’s northern region. Diego Morlin, renowned author of books such as ''La Pipa: I migliori marchi italiani'' and ''Io sono Baldo Baldi'', writes:<blockquote>“In line with the thought that ‘nature is the true artist and man can only interpret it’ stands the concept with which Michele [Sottocasa] demonstrates all his excellent skill, which distinguishes him from other pipe manufacturers. Michele is a master, he plays with nature and like a child he manipulates different objects composing them in a harmony that only he is able to find. This type of pipe is his signature.”</blockquote> | In Italian and in English, ‘biota’ is an ecological term, designating the complex of flora and fauna in a particular habitat. In the Lombard dialect, “la Biota” also roughly translates to “the naked.” Both of these senses were in mind when Sottocasa baptized la Biota, and both remain central themes in the production of la Biota pipes. On the one hand, Sottocasa approaches pipes as being an object that intimates the connection between humans and nature, much in the way that the various flora and fauna of an ecosystem are bound together as a condition of their flourishing. Nature is a prominent theme more broadly in la Biota pipes, as Sottocasa finds much of the inspiration for his designs from frequent mountain walks in Italy’s northern region. Diego Morlin, renowned author of books such as ''La Pipa: I migliori marchi italiani'' and ''Io sono Baldo Baldi'', writes:<blockquote>“In line with the thought that ‘nature is the true artist and man can only interpret it’ stands the concept with which Michele [Sottocasa] demonstrates all his excellent skill, which distinguishes him from other pipe manufacturers. Michele is a master, he plays with nature and like a child he manipulates different objects composing them in a harmony that only he is able to find. This type of pipe is his signature.”</blockquote> | ||
[[File: | [[File:La Biota cavalier.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|A la Biota rendition of the historic Tyrolean hunter's pipe, fashioned from briar and roe deer horn. Image courtesy of its owner, who has chosen to remain anonymous.]] | ||
The second sense of “la Biota,” that of nakedness, is perhaps more subtly realized in Sottocasa’s work. He speaks somewhat cryptically on the matter, stating,<blockquote>“the pipe cannot hide secrets but must be absolute truth. That is, it must be an object capable of saying everything, without the need for intermediaries.”</blockquote> | The second sense of “la Biota,” that of nakedness, is perhaps more subtly realized in Sottocasa’s work. He speaks somewhat cryptically on the matter, stating,<blockquote>“the pipe cannot hide secrets but must be absolute truth. That is, it must be an object capable of saying everything, without the need for intermediaries.”</blockquote> | ||
[[File:La-Biota-Pipe-01-3.webp|alt=|thumb|A la Biota poker with antler, made in 2023. Image courtesy MBSD Pipes.]] | [[File:La-Biota-Pipe-01-3.webp|alt=|thumb|A la Biota poker with antler, made in 2023. Image courtesy MBSD Pipes.]] | ||