(w)aardewerk kick-off

On March 27, 2024, the first gathering for professionals and enthusiasts of ceramics took place at the Fries Museum in Leeuwarden. It was an inspiring day dedicated to sustainable ceramics featuring presentations by leading experts on the themes of earth, air and water. This day also marked the beginning of building a vibrant community where knowledge was shared and new connections were made. The host was Wendy Gers, curator of modern and contemporary ceramics. After the plenary session at the Fries Museum and a networking activity we visited the exhibition Sustainable Ceramics #1: Recycled, Repaired, Reactivated at the Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics.

Speakers:

Earth
Nadine Sterk and Lonny van Ryswyck (Studio Atelier NL) develop products that showcase the diversity of the earth and the value of local raw materials. Each earthly element tells a unique story resulting in a specific product. The studio employs a passionate and distinctive research methodology to uncover the hidden stories of the earth and its materials. Through their work they call for greater appreciation of local origins and production as well as the importance of regenerative approaches to materials for nature management and preservation.

Air
Iris de Kievith and Annemarie Piscaer (LabAIR) expose the invisible impact of daily actions to spark debate and behavioral change for a healthier living environment. They capture air quality in porcelain tableware Smogware. To create this they collect fine particulate matter and use it as glaze. With this tableware they make the poor air quality surrounding us visible and even tangible. Smogware is a participatory project in which LabAIR collaborates with researchers, activists, residents and ceramicists in the Netherlands as well as in global cities like Milan, Berlin, London and Delhi.

Water
Lotte Dekker and Gieke van Lon (Humade) present their groundbreaking Sea Silt Ceramics project where they as material innovators have developed formulas for all ceramic production techniques to transform surplus local sea silt into sustainable ceramic raw materials and building ceramics. They share what it takes to establish this circular ceramic production chain which involves not only innovative design but also finding convincing and working with the right partners and investors. They also highlight the diverse skills designers need to further develop an idea and prepare the market for it.