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IGOR PANTELIC
Croat-Dutch maker of musical-instrument cases
I started making cello cases by accident. I had a friend who played the cello. At that time I was repairing speedboats, so I'd been working with glass fibers, resins and plastics and knew a bit about the technique of making molds. This friend of mine got the idea to make cello cases that would really fit the needs of the cellist: super-lightweight, strong and custom-fitted to the shape of the instrument. We started developing a case for him. When his friends and colleagues saw his case, they wanted one for themselves. It spread by word of mouth.
I have customers from all over the world — including big names like Yo-Yo Ma, Anner Bylsma and Nathaniel Rosen. You can buy normal factory-made cases, but they are mass-produced so they try to make one case that fits all instruments. It's never really good enough or light enough, and the instrument is not really well-protected. The inner fittings of my cases are all custom-made for a particular instrument, and people can choose any color or pattern they'd like, such as a leopard print or chessboard. Everything is hand-made. On the other hand, you're using materials that are more high-tech. It's just plastic and stinking chemicals. But the technique you're working with is traditional. The only tool you need is a good mold — and really good hands. I also have no one in between me and the customer. In a way, it's like coming to the tailor: your cello is getting its own suit exactly how you wish it to be. I don't consider myself an artist. An artist is someone who's busy with himself and what he wants to express.
The whole purpose of my case is to protect the instrument. You can give it a nice look, and it looks kind of like an art object. But actually, it's all very functional. I am part inventor, part craftsman, with an aesthetic sense. The fun is in inventing something. It's good for your soul.