Ceramic Laboratory

Contemporary Design

The course is studio-based and includes the practical realization of an experimental art or design project in ceramics. The theme and standpoint changes yearly: from artifacts to surface design, from material research to exploring one´s artistic expression, and others. The assessment starts with gathering research material in pairs. The final brief is processed individually. It starts by sketching and presenting the concept ideas, proceeding to studio work, and resulting in the making of prototypes or material experiments from ceramics. The concept development, designing, readings, and evaluation are processed theoretically in project seminars, where ideas, working methods as well as chosen solutions are discussed. The module ends up with a small exhibition presenting the results.

Workshop table full of tools for working with plaster and clay — Photo by Anne Kinnunen

Ceramic Laboratory 2024 - BUILDING BLOCKS

During the course Ceramic Laboratory students were asked to design and produce a series of "Building Blocks". Students pushed the idea of a simple brick into a single experimental element that could be used for building something larger by repetition. The materials used were traditional ceramics masses from brick factory earthernware to stained porcelain, and unfired geopolymers including recycled ceramic rejects were also experimented.

Teacher: Nathalie Lautenbacher

Student Assistant: Lennart Engels

Lectures by designer Milla Ahti-Kotilainen (Wienerberger oy) and doctoral researcher on Mineral-Based-Materials and Techniques Luis Huaman

During the course visits were made to Ido Geberit sanitary porcelain factory in Tammisaari, KWUM Ceramics museum hosted by Karin Widnäs and artists Kim Simonsson's and Kristiina Riska's studios.

Exhibitions in Beta Space Gallery 17.4-3.5.2024

Selected works in Aalto ARTS Student Show 2024 5.9-3.10.2024

Photography: Anne Kinnunen

Ceramics Laboratory 2023 – TRANSLUCENCY

During the course Ceramics Laboratory, Students explored the idea of materiality and immateriality by playing with the qualities of different porcelain clay bodies. Cow bone china, reindeer bone china, feldspar, and paper porcelain were experimented with.

Teachers: Nathalie Lautenbacher and Niko Mankinen

Guest lecturers: Priska Falin, Eliisa Isoniemi, Eeva Jokinen, Maarit Mäkelä, Kirsti Taiviola

Studio technicians: Tomi Pelkonen, Tatu Vuorio, Mira Niittymäki

Photography: Tatu Rouvinen