The manufacture of china has maintained an air of mystery until this very day, as a process of applying high heat to a mix of many different ingredients turns it into softly shimmering porcelain. The research during the porcelain study “The Attitude of the Definite – the Square” led to an innovative technical process that lends porcelain vessels a new appearance. The initial shape of the china is formed by flexible textile wraps sewed from sponge cloth. Consisting of renewable celluloses and cotton fibre, this sponge cloth is extremely absorbent and takes over the function of plaster mould in the design process. The result of this innovative process is astounding: the cloth extracts the liquid from the china mass moulded into the wrap to form a shard with squared structures. The textile origin remains visible on the outside, lending this porcelain vase a strong visual character. This impression is enhanced further by the highly biscuit surface. In order to allow for reproduction, the form is fixated by a cast procedure. In order to offer variations, different versions of pedestals can be combined with the base body. Focusing on the aspect of randomness in the working process, the design study “The Attitude of the Definite – the Square” defines this procedure as its starting point and thus led to the creation of a highly attractive porcelain vase – an approach that also opens up new paths for the future of china manufacture.
Statement by the Jury
The porcelain vase “The Attitude of the Definite – the Square” is the result of a highly creative design process. The language of form of this vase impresses with its plasticity. The way the textile origin remains visible, creating distinctive structures, is also fascinating. The vase gives proof of how an extended, evolutionary design understanding can lead to the emergence of something truly novel.
