Had an inspiring afternoon with Martin from FabLab Cardiff @ Ludlow Library, Martin came to show me how to 3D print larger scale door handles for the Portal project. Lots of ideas generated and possibilities for ceramic development.
It has been a busy few weeks working in the studio as well as being out and about at other community spaces creating ceramic pieces for the exhibition. Things are progressing well but there is a lot to do and time deadlines looming….
We have had some great support from community spaces around the area, a huge thank you to Iran and the team from Ludlow Library for giving us space to print as well as supplying us with teas and coffees whilst we all watched the printer create our first door handle!
The workshops have started and its been really exciting to see the porcelain pieces being created for the installation, many of the people involved in this project haven’t slip cast before. I am really enjoying seeing people create the door handles, we have been able to visit some community groups as well as having public open session workshops @ Loudwater Studio.
I’m finding that the mix of ages in the groups works well too, both for the slip casting but also for the memory telling and story elements of the workshops.
We have created a series of memory suitcases, using objects as a device to open up memory. Boxes full of selected objects as well as retro sweets, ticking clocks, playing jacks and an old record really begin to open up memories within a small group environment.
I have also been interested in using objects in my work as a way of evoking some element of narrative within a ceramic piece. Through the process of the making and the material you can add meaning. I have often worked with clothes and shoes, items that have a resonance of the person who wore them. This work will see a collection of gathered things, memory boxes, porcelain wall of illuminated pieces and a series of film works exploring memory and the stories behind the doors….
This past couple of months I have been busy making moulds, developing the porcelain shapes and firing the first test pieces from the casts for the project.
It’s been an exciting time to see the original casts starting to take shape and the first porcelain pieces coming out of the kiln. There is always a slight nervous energy that comes with developing something new and not knowing exactly if the concept will work! part of the delight and pleasure of working with ceramics is that feeling of the unknown as the kiln is opened, that expectation that anything could happen!
Taking on a community project is no mean feat and there are many elements I am trying to coming to grips with.
Particularly encouraging the community to get involved and through the doors! This project relies on the community to get behind it, and for that it has to resonate with people. Our first workshops start next Thursday, this will be the first casting session….I am a little nervous but also looking forward to seeing the stories that unfold around the workshops. You can book a place to be part of the casting session through Loudwater eventbrite page;
https://www.facebook.com/events/1719146394785792/
I am also looking to work with local schools and community groups beyond the doors of Loudwater but in partnership with the studio. I think its important that I don’t have the attitude that people will necessarily want to come to us or to an art studio to be involved in the project. So this could mean we develop workshops in the library, on the local market stall and door to door…
