Wearable ceramics

Abstract

Having focused on traditional ceramics and fine-tuned my skills in manufacturing, for example, wheel-thrown pieces, I wanted to do something new and unforeseen. I wanted to take a more contemporary attitude towards ceramics and not focus on how I could manipulate the material to match the work of the previous makers, but rather find out something abstract about the material. This thesis examines the journey towards the answer to the question, How can we extract new perspectives from a familiar material? The thesis presents a hypothesis that it could be possible by making the material wearable. The journey begins by examining the existing relations between humans and ceramics and dissecting the relations into categories that I observe from multiple points of view. After that, some examples of existing wearable pieces that share similarities with the prompt of having an unconventional and rigid material made into a garment are presented. This leads to having an idea of what kind of garments I am to manufacture, and to finalise the thought process, I explain the inspiration behind the shapes and forms I chose for the pieces. Based on the research and brainstorming, I created sketches to embody the things that were found during the research, after which the pieces were made to match the sketches. After presenting the process of the supporting work, such as styling and setting the photographs, the outcomes of the practical portion are presented. The thesis ends with an interview and conclusions, as well as an examination of an extension of the topic.

In this thesis, I claim that it is possible to bring out new aspects of a familiar material evidently by putting it in a new and unexpected setting. I present, as a finding, the importance of sentimentality and experience when it comes to defining the value of material or a finished piece.