Globally, over 30% of food is thrown away. In the Netherlands, 2 billion kilos of food are wasted every year, 53% of which is thrown away by consumers.* ‘We cannot go on like this,’ states Iris de Kievith, designer and co-founder of design collective Lab AIR. ‘As a designer, I like to use the power of imagination to show people that there are alternatives to the ways we currently deal with things.’
This is also the approach for Iris’ research for her (w)aardewerk project. Iris explores three ways the public can use local clay to combat problems such as food waste and deteriorating water quality. ‘I researched the different uses of earthenware. Depending on the type of clay and the temperature at which it is fired, earthenware is porous – this is a quality that can be used in many different ways.’ Porosity is the degree to which the material allows water or air to pass through. Iris creates and presents objects with three varying degrees of porosity.
First, she made a pot containing a clay water-filter, which was made porous by combining coffee grounds into the clay before firing. The coffee grounds burn away in the kiln, leaving behind many tiny holes in the clay. She did this following the technique of a non-profit organisation** that teaches those without access to clean drinking water how to set up their own small local factory to make water filters from local clay. A simple tool for a self-sufficient life, without both the cost, and waste of plastic bottles.
The lower temperature at which the clay is fired, the more porous the clay becomes. Iris uses this natural porosity to make a second product, named a zeeror cooling pot. This is a pot-in-pot construction, where the empty space between the two pots is filled with water and sand. Thanks to evaporation of the water, this cooling pot can keep the contents up to 10 degrees cooler than the outside air – provided room temperature is warmer than 25°C.
Finally, she made a fermentation pot, fired at higher temperatures, and glazed – resulting in a completely impermeable object. Moreover, a water seal is added, further preventing any effects from the outside air on the contents of the pot.
Iris made all these objects herself from clay that was excavated during foundation work on her own street. Iris calls this her ‘street clay’: “I suddenly saw this beautiful clay emerge, and this raised the question: what can you do with a raw material lying under your pavement in order to make your life more sustainable? Ever since humans have existed, people have been looking for ways to make their food last longer, their water drinkable.” The three uses of clay which she presents are therefore not new, but rather have been in use for centuries. ‘There is evidence that the zeer was already used 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. And in warmer countries, the technique is still being used. So it is nothing new, but I like to pass on knowledge in this way.’
Making use of what is at hand, Iris has taken her practice as an architect to being that of a ‘transformation architect’. On site, she likes to make use of structures or materials that are already there and help transform them to something else. ‘Do we have to do everything new? I like to say: look at what’s there first.’ This reasoning is reflected in her project for (w)aardewerk, in which she uses materials that are at hand, namely local clay, to employ ancient techniques in solutions to modern problems.
Do we have to do everything new? I like to say: look at what’s there first.
For Iris, the imagination of design is paramount. Iris also focuses on raising awareness of (environmental) issues, in her initiative Lab AIR, which she set up together with Annemarie Piscaer. Among other things, Lab AIR created Smogware, a series of tableware for which fine dust is harvested from traffic locations and incorporated into the glaze.Lab AIR can make a coffee cup with as much fine dust in it as an average person inhales over 65 years in Rotterdam. This results in cups with a perhaps “undesirable” colour that forces citizens and policymakers think about the consequences of air pollution. ‘I always look for ways to make an important message reach people through the imagination. Through this, change can happen.’
This message is the future Iris sees for her design practice, as well as collaboration taking a prominent role. “In the (w)aardewerk community of practice, it is inspiring to see that there are more makers who, like me, weigh up all the steps of their process. It works well to exchange new ideas.” Iris continues with motivation to inspire everyone she meets.
* Samen tegen voedselverspilling
** Good Foundations International, formerly Potters for Peace, describes the invention and shares all the information about making ceramic water filters from local clay. Ecofiltro is the affiliated benefit corporation that makes the same filters in Guatemala from 100% natural materials and aims to provide clean water access with a focus on sustainability. Ecofiltro Europe continues this mission in Europe by concentrating on tap water filtration and reducing the use of single-use plastic bottles.
Made possible with support from Iona Stichting.
Text: Anke Vromen
Photography: Fan Liao
With (w)aardewerk, Crafts Council Nederland draws attention to urgent issues surrounding the extraction of raw materials in relation to the production of ceramics.
In (w)aardewerk, makers explore sustainable perspectives and potential futures for ceramics.
Tableware made from local clay with screen prints of seasonal vegetables
