News

Solid Ground tells the story of ceramics

Get enchanted by ceramics! Nathalie Lautenbacher's book intertwines essays with photos of contemporary ceramics in a charming way.
Kantava maa – Solid Ground kirjan etukansi

Ceramicist Lautenbacher's Solid Ground is a work presenting and inspired by contemporary ceramics. Lautenbacher has curated in the book the most interesting contemporary ceramic works.

Essays are written by a group of authors: Nathalie Lautenbacher, Kari Enqvist, Janne Saarikivi, Hannu Väisänen, Juhani Pallasmaa, Harri Kalha, Mikko Jalas, Tuuli Mattelmäki, Tarja-Kaarina Laamanen and Maarit Mäkelä.

Ceramics as an ancient material provides a connection to past generations and cultures across the globe. A pot, a dish, animal figures... The prototypes of many ceramic objects are age-old. Ceramics is popular again, and old subjects take new forms in the hands of new makers. What is the secret behind the thousand-year-old attraction of ceramics? What does this attraction say about us human beings?

Solid Ground introduces contemporary ceramics and reflects upon the world around it. Essays by leading writers and researchers build bridges between art, science, and life as they reflect on the nature of ceramics, its introduction, and its influence on culture, as well as the challenges of the material world today.

‘A well-kept ceramic item will last almost forever, and as an eternal item, it should stay in fashion for a long time and not be a passing whim’, says Lautenbacher.

Images of works by contemporary ceramicists inspire us to see the beauty of the material world and its profound meanings. These spell-binding works of art show how versatile Earth's modest materials can be in capable hands.

‘The birth of ceramics is a key innovation that has shaped human communities and lifestyles’, states one of the authors, Janne Saarikivi.

Welcome to the book launch 27 August, from 6 to 7 pm at Lokal Gallery, Annankatu 9, and to visit the ceramics exhibition.

Work group:

Nathalie Lautenbacher (editor)
Kati Saonegin (publisher, Aalto Arts Books)
Annika Leppäaho (graphic designer, Aalto student)
Tuuli Saarelainen (photo editor, Aalto ceramicist)
Anne Kinnunen (photographer)
Päivi Tikkanen (translator)

Contact:

Lecturer Nathalie Lautenbacher, School of Arts, Design and Architecture, [email protected], tel. +358 50 384 4695

  • Published:
  • Updated:

Read more news

Professor Riikka Puurunen, Professor Patrick Rinke and IT Application Owner Lara Ejtehadian holding sunflowers and diplomas
Awards and Recognition, Campus, Research & Art Published:

Aalto Open Science Award ceremony brought together Aaltonians to discuss open science

Last week we gathered at A Grid to celebrate the awardees of the Aalto Open Science Award 2023 and discuss open science matters with the Aalto community.
Three female students studying
Research & Art Published:

Seed funding available to boost collaboration between Aalto, KU Leuven and University of Helsinki

Aalto University, KU Leuven and the University of Helsinki launch the 2nd exploratory seed funding call to explore research collaboration possibilities. The funding call is open until 10 September 2024.
Taija Votkin showing 360 camera use and Tomi Kauppinen and Jutta Tavaila recording a podcast episode
Cooperation, University Published:

Workshop day for teachers: 360° environments and podcasts

On Tuesday 4.6. a workshop day consisting of 360° environment creation and podcast production provides a way to get to know these media in practice. Feel free to join both workshops or one of them according to your time and interest.
White A! logo standing on the ground with A-bloc and Väre in the background.
Research & Art, University Published: