Process in progress
diner plates for Guldagergaard
In the spring of 2015 I was invited to Guldagergaard International Ceramic Research Centre to design and create a line of diner plates reflecting on the history and sentiment of Guldagergaard and the story of its residency in Denmark. As the designer I shall reflect my nature as well: curious, precise, thoughtful.
"The work will be carefully considered, aesthetically pleasing, and will contribute to the Guldagergaard collection as a “living” entity, and one to be used and enjoyed in the bustling kitchens of the Artist in Residence. " GG
My design is based on the way of creating and living in a shared space as an artist in residence at Guldagergaard. Especially think of the process of ceramic and the progress we see in each other's work during the months we spend together at this amazing fascility. We never really see the works all together, more like following the process from time to time and at some point maybe see some finished pieces. But the residency is a lot about progress, communication, peek into different techniques and learning from each other.
I call this project the "Progress in process" collection as each plate is representing the process of traditional porcelain production. These plates will never be complete, I, on purpose, left every step of the process visible and unfinished, showing the progress of the physical process on a finished piece.
The shape is inspired by the classical porcelain table ware but I use the starting shape of the jigger-jolly mould )the mould the plate is made on by a turning machine) as the outer line, making the production tool part of the finished piece. The markings on the rim of the plate refer to the marks the craftsmen left on each mould, identifying the series, the brand, the number of the mould, the number of the plate in the series and the date the plate was made. This way the viewer can follow throught the production process not only by the technical steps visible but also by the dates and numbers and marks. Going from the rim towards the inside we meet the steps of the shape making from the simple circular shape towards the hand carved classical rim line and to the hand carved classical patter. The hand painted gold part is the only section of the plate where we see the process complete, from there the details melt back to the starting point of the making.
I am proud to know that these plates will be used in the renovated new kithcne of Guldagergaard, where the residenet artists and the stuff have diner together every single evening. It will be part of they stay and shall become a conversation topic from time to time as well as a bond by eating from the same plates that was even made at Guldagergaard specially for this purpose.
The finished prototype handed over to Guldagergaard.
Sneak peek in the process
