KleoCo. is an Antalya-based ceramics studio, focused on producing tableware and objects that mirror the beautiful simplicity of mindful, everyday living.
The entire KleoCo. collection is best described as deliberately uncomplicated — pure even. Every form and simple silhouette has been guided by the deepest understanding of “truth to materials” and minimalism. Each KleoCo. product is carefully made by hand, and partially finished with a clear glaze so that clay’s natural attributes, both texture and color, can be celebrated, not concealed. The brand’s first collection, Kopenhavn, was introduced in 2018 and focuses on the concept of versatility, as each object functions harmoniously in almost any space. Over the past year, I’ve come to know KleoCo.’s creative director, Murat Atasever, via Instagram. In the interview below, Murat and I dive a bit deeper into the brand, exploring KleoCo.’s mentality towards design and ceramics, ethos for simple living, and artisanal manufacturing.
Visit KleoCo. Online | Follow KleoCo. on Instagram
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This post was written in collaboration with KleoCo.
Featuring a selection of KleoCo. Kopenhavn & Mass tableware
Gifted Product / Sponsored Content
An Interview with Murat Atasever – KleoCo.’s Founder and Creative Director
Murat Atasever – Antalya Turkey
Q – What led you to ceramics — when and where did you relationship with the wheel and the clay begin?
“My job as a creative director gave me a chance to work across multiple different industries and disciplines. Wheel and clay were definitely the ones that captured my interest the most. When I met my wife, we both were doing different things at the time. I was working on creative strategy for global brands and she was still in college studying ceramics and glass design. We then decided to combine our expertise and create a brand which we could also integrate into our own lifestyle. This is how KleoCo. was born in 2012 with the inspiration of creating modern and pure living spaces. During the inception of the KleoCo. we partnered with multiple different brands and later we decided to create our very first collection. This is how the story started to take shape.”
Q – When did you first have the concept for KleoCo. — was the brand born out of the products you were making or were you inspired to start your own ceramics studio and thus the collection was born?
“We got our inspiration from architecture, furniture design and unique living spaces. But more importantly we were most influenced by the pureness and simplicity of life itself. In 2018, our first collection ‘Kopenhavn’ was born after spending some time in Copenhagen, Denmark. Not only the design but also the feel and texture were important elements of our products. When you hold a piece of our collection, it must also give you that same feeling we have…”
Q – Your studio is based in Antalya Turkey, yet KleoCo. has quickly captured the attention of ceramics and design enthusiasts around the world, and particularly in Northern Europe. Does the brand share any ties with Scandinavia?
“Yes, indeed! The inspiration for our collection and design is deeply rooted in Scandinavia. However being located in Antalya gives us a unique chance to blend the Scandic design with the rich cultural heritage of our location. It is our unique twist which allowed us to create a community of enthusiasts around the world quickly.”
Q&A Continues Below…
Q – It’s obvious that minimalism is at the core of the KleoCo. aesthetic. What other visual influences and schools-of-thought have inspired you as the brand’s creative director?
“KleoCo. also represents our own daily lifestyle. That’s why not only our collection reflects aesthetically pleasing simplicity and pureness but also our lifestyle mirrors the values of the brand. Our daily clothing, objects in our living spaces and even things in our kitchen are carefully selected to reflect a harmony and balance. One of the most important aspects of KleoCo. is being compatible with the living spaces it is placed in. You can think of it as a piece of rock sitting in nature giving you that sense of belonging and stillness. That is the feeling we would like our products to convey when you hold them.”
Q – Tell me more about the way KleoCo. produces their range of tableware and objects. Is wheel-turning the main method, or are you and your ceramists using other methods such as slip casting?
“Depending on various product requirements, we use both wheel-turning or slip casting. Our products go through several stages during the production. Most of our work is based on slip casting, each piece is carefully hand crafted and glazed for giving that unique KleoCo. feeling. Our products are designed to be part of everyday life. What is important here is how you intend to blend it into your own life. You can use a piece of our collection as a design object or for presenting food. “
Q – The items in your collection, though clean and sophisticated, maintain an element of earthiness that seems to celebrate the humble material from which these refined shapes come — clay. How does KleoCo. let the natural properties and colors of the clay guide the design?
“When selecting our ingredients we make sure that we only use clay and glaze that do not contain any harmful materials or chemicals. All our products are made with the highest quality materials suitable for food consumption. We intentionally use transparent glaze which highlights the natural state of clay. This allows you to feel a clean and sophisticated product when you hold a piece from our collection.”
Q – How many ceramists are working to create the items you sell? Are you working on a made-to-order basis?
“Our ceramic artist, Aslı Şahin Atasever, is managing the production. Each product our customers hold is hand made with love and care. We also have a dedicated team helping us during the lengthy production process. We are constantly in production where our products are sold across multiple different stores. At the moment we are busy with creating our new collection and focusing on business development. Also our online store will be available very soon.”
Q – Besides opening the KleoCo. webshop, what other exciting plans does the brand have for the future?
“Increasing our production capabilities and building the new collection are our top priorities now. We are also focusing on showcasing our products by attending influential design events. Recently we partnered with a global brand where we are designing a bespoke collection for them. We are incredibly excited about our future plans.”
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Connect with Murat Atasever on Instagram
KleoCo. – Website | Instagram
This post was written in collaboration with KleoCo.
Featuring a selection of KleoCo. Kopenhavn tableware
Gifted Product / Sponsored Content
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