Designed for the 75th anniversary of the Argillà International Ceramics Festival and the 50th anniversary of the Museu del Càntir d’Argentona, Càntir 2025 by Benedetta Tagliabue (EMBT) is a ceramic piece that transforms a utilitarian object into a sculptural narrative. Drawing inspiration from the universal image of women carrying water on their heads, the piece extrudes two mirrored female profiles to form its volume. Functional yet symbolically rich, it honors both quotidian gestures and spiritual traditions tied to water.
The cantir includes the inscription DOM, referencing Saint Domènec-Argentona’s patron saint as well as the designer’s son, Domènec, adding personal resonance. Another engraved phrase, “Amb l’anís, l’aigua s’Enricueix”, alludes to a local custom of flavoring water with anise and subtly honors Enric Miralles through a wordplay.
Visually, the piece reflects the Catalan modernist spirit, inspired by the designs of Jujol. Its pale pink glaze adds contemporary softness and femininity, while the organically resolved handle merges ergonomics with expressiveness. Produced in a limited, numbered series of 5,000, the cantir was handcrafted in Argentona using traditional techniques enhanced by architectural experimentation. It is not merely a vessel, but a layered expression of memory, ritual, and the intimate dialogue between form and meaning.
