Tag Archives: ceramics tradition

Opinion

Fighting for a Modern Ceramics tradition

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The modern ceramics tradition is spreading. In the eye of the storm, its path is difficult to fathom. And I feel in the mids of today’s ceramics storm. But despite the fact that my hair has been blown before my eyes, I see a new wind direction emerging. A new course that I think is worth fighting for.

Handmade cup leather hard

The new capital is the shared knowledge, worldwide. New groups unite around digital platforms such as FB, Insta, linkedIn, as well as specific sites for potters such as glazy.org. In these kinds of environments, knowledge is shared, opinions are cast and discussions are held.

In other words, culture is created. A new tradition is developing, not along bounderies of location, land borders or a supposed shared history. A new ceramics tradition: you may think so, but why would you fight?

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Inspiration, Personally

Höhr-Grenzhausen: Ceramic tradition in motion

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Has the handmade ceramic tradition disappeared in Western Europe?

That’s what it looked like when I visited Höhr-Grenzhausen last summer. This small town is the center of the “Kannenbäckerland“. This region in Germany is known as “Pottery Country“. It grew from the 14th century into one of the most important ceramics centers of Western Europe.

Westerwald stoneware

From the 15th  century onwards, the “Westerwald stoneware” was developed here. Stronger (and fired much higher) than the common produced earthenware in Europe at that time. But what made it unique in the world was the “salt glaze” with which the pots were finished.

I love and make stoneware ceramics. In addition, I get a lot of inspiration from traditional pottery shapes. I like to be in woodland. In short, reasons enough to visit this region and to get to know one of my European ceramic roots.

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