Bari Ziperstein from BZIPPY
BZIPPY, founded and directed by Los Angeles ceramicist Bari Ziperstein, celebrates innovation and evolution through challenging the status quo of conventional ceramic production.
Words: Holly Terry | Photography: Laure Joliet
‘Overall, surrounding myself with people who know a lot more than me and finding specialists in areas where I needed support helped me develop the path as it continues to take shape,’ says Bari Ziperstein. Photo: Laure Joliet
‘I think we really make a commitment to have a genuine curiosity about what is and what may not be working at all times - it’s an ongoing process and investigation.’ Photo: Laure Joliet
‘I’m most proud of how far the studio has come and the team that helped build and shape it. I was recently able to take a week off and travel to do some research for my artwork. Being able to take that time off, with the studio functioning autonomously, was very meaningful to me.’ Photo: Laure Joliet
BZIPPY, founded and directed by Los Angeles based super talent, Bari Ziperstein is celebrated for its authentic and innovative ceramic pieces.
Since its inception in 2008, Bari has worked to nurture BZIPPY from a one woman show to now employing over twenty staff and occupying a whopping 9,000 square foot studio.
Today, the studio focuses on several categories of creative output’s which comprise of BZIPPY line-sheet production ceramics, BZ Collectible Design, and Bari’s unique artworks.
Her designs are striking, but as with every great product, behind it lies a great leader. What is most striking about Bari is her unwavering authenticity, a strong focus on her gut instincts but also the ability to collaborate with others.
When asked what has shaped her as a maker, her response is confident, ‘I would say that what has shaped me as the maker I’ve become today is primarily sticking to my instincts and interests,’ she says.
On the other hand, she regards her team highly, and speaks of surrounding herself with those that know more than her and finding specialists in areas she needed help in order to develop the path of BZIPPY that continues to take shape today.
‘More recently, I would say that my studio team has shaped me as a maker. Distributing the labour of my own designs and working closely with incredible artists on a clay-engineering level have contributed greatly to me as a designer, maker, and entrepreneur; all of which are closely related and founded on the same values.’
The studio focuses on several categories of creative output’s which comprise of BZIPPY line-sheet production ceramics, BZ Collectible Design, and Bari Ziperstein’s unique artworks. Photo: Laure Joliet
‘The opportunities to innovate… often present themselves through challenges and failures. We want to make sure that we stay flexible and respond to the needs of any challenge or issue.’ Photo: Laure Joliet
“When I first launched my design practice as separate from my artwork, it wasn’t a particularly popular move. In the face of most people telling me not to pursue design, when there was so little cross-over, I followed my gut and let my interests lead me.”
BZIPPY employs over twenty staff and occupies a whopping 9,000 square foot studio. Photo: Laure Joliet
Inside the BZIPPY studio. Photo: Laure Joliet
Known for their originality and authentic structure, the BZIPPY design is both innovative and functional, challenging more conventional methods of slab construction through joining brightly coloured pre-made shapes like extruded tubes or mould formed structures.
The pieces, unique in their shape and glazes are ambitious in their approach to design; most times sitting mis-matched in shape and often whispering to more industrial influence. ‘I’m interested in investigating and backward-engineering objects related to industrial environments like communication towers, semi-trucks, freeways, etc. These often serve as a jumping-off point as I take visual cues from my surroundings,’ says Bari.
Bari’s work is conceptual in its innovation and typically pulls inspiration from her surrounds: Los Angeles and the stark contrasts between organic and inorganic, industrial environment.
‘I drive around so many different environments around LA; even in my hour-long drive to and from work, it’s quite jarring to see the disparate nature of LA county and how sprawling it is. This definitely influences my work pretty directly.’
For Bari, incorporating the principles of conceptual design as a filter fosters critical thinking and regular investigation, necessary for the continuous innovation and inspiration. ‘This may show up more in the studio and company culture, rather than directly in the formal aspects of the work, [but] ultimately, these principles shaped my creative process and that’s reflected in the micro and macro of my practices - creative and business.’