«Traces of Touch» — a ceramic serving dish with a deliberately distorted form. The contrast between coarse grog and iridescent glaze transforms the utilitarian object into a piece of art that bears the mark of the creator’s hands.
Project Concept
Idea: In a world where nearly all objects are created by machines with perfect geometry, the «Traces of Touch» project returns us to tactility. It is an exploration of how the author’s physical touch alters the form and meaning of an object.
The serving dish intentionally lacks perfect proportions. Its edges «swirl» and deform, as if the object hadn’t fully set or had just been crumpled by hand. Through this soft, fluid form, a sense of living warmth is conveyed. The translucent inner glaze (pink-mint) contrasts with the rough, unfinished rim. While the object retains its utilitarian function (it’s comfortable for serving nuts or fruit), it transforms into a sculpture that invites closer inspection and touch.
Materials and Technology
Chamotte ceramic paste. Chosen for its ability to hold shape while yielding a noble, granular texture. The outer edges are left unglazed for contrast (the natural clay color).
Glaze: Reactive (running) glaze. The powder-pink color smoothly transitions into mint and turquoise. In the recesses, the glaze collects into glossy «puddles, ” creating an effect reminiscent of a gemstone or a drop of water. Small speckles appear during the firing process.
Forming Technique: Hand-building from slab (modeling). At the raw clay stage, the form is intentionally manipulated with fingers: indentations, asymmetric waves, and twists are created. This captures the artist’s «fingerprints.» Finishing: Double firing. The first (bisque) firing is for structural integrity. Subsequently, the glaze is applied (by dipping), and a final pouring firing is conducted at a high temperature (approx. 1200°C), during which the glaze «flows» and forms droplets.
Visualizations
