Zand
by Anna Leeman
Ceramic Laboratory
The course is studio-based and includes the practical realization of an experimental art or design project in ceramics. The theme and standpoint changes yearly: from artifacts to surface design, from material research to exploring one´s artistic expression, and others. The assessment starts with gathering research material in pairs. The final brief is processed individually. It starts by sketching and presenting the concept ideas, proceeding to studio work, and resulting in the making of prototypes or material experiments from ceramics. The concept development, designing, readings, and evaluation are processed theoretically in project seminars, where ideas, working methods as well as chosen solutions are discussed. The module ends up with a small exhibition presenting the results.
Lecturer Nathalie Lautenbacher
Ceramic Laboratory 2025 - BUILDING BLOCKS vol. 2
For a second year, students were asked to design and produce a "Building Blocks" series during the Ceramics Laboratory course. Students were presented with the idea of a simple brick as a single experimental element that could be used to build something larger through repetition. The work resulted in both utilitarian and artistic concepts. The materials used were traditional ceramic masses, from earthernware dug from the Otaniemi campus area to stained porcelain. Unfired geopolymers, including various fillers such as recycled ceramic and glass rejects, were also experimented with.
Exhibition in the Learning Center Main Lobby 17.4-13.5.2025
Students: Hitomi Asaka, Erica Baker, Elisabeth Bureau, Ariane Carde, Marcelo Guajardo, Rosa Helenius, Daniel Kohvakka, Iines Lahtinen, Seoyoung Lee, Anna Leeman, Juni, Neuenhuys, Wenla Nwajei, Nea Paavola, Alarik Rantala, Hailey Robinson, Ene Rönkkö, Henri Timperi
Teacher: Nathalie Lautenbacher
Student Assistant: Mirva Kosonen
Lectures by Milla Ahti-Kotilainen (Wienerberger Oy) and doctoral researchers on Mineral-Based Materials and Techniques, Luis Huaman and Ville Repo (Aalto University), and designer Lennart Engels
During the course, we visited the Wienerberger brick factory in Koria, and met with the artists Maaria Wirkkala at Emma Museum (the Bryk-Wirkkala Collection), Veera Kulju at the Arabia Art Department Society, and Emma Helle at Savio Art Association
Special thanks, as always, to our ceramics studio team, led by Tomi Pelkonen, and other Aalto studios!
Beurre Blanc
by Ariane Carde
Ceramic Laboratory 2024 - BUILDING BLOCKS
During the course Ceramic Laboratory students were asked to design and produce a series of "Building Blocks". Students pushed the idea of a simple brick into a single experimental element that could be used for building something larger by repetition. The materials used were traditional ceramics masses from brick factory earthernware to stained porcelain, and unfired geopolymers including recycled ceramic rejects were also experimented.
Teacher: Nathalie Lautenbacher
Student Assistant: Lennart Engels
Lectures by designer Milla Ahti-Kotilainen (Wienerberger oy) and doctoral researcher on Mineral-Based-Materials and Techniques Luis Huaman
During the course visits were made to Ido Geberit sanitary porcelain factory in Tammisaari, KWUM Ceramics museum hosted by Karin Widnäs and artists Kim Simonsson's and Kristiina Riska's studios.
Exhibitions in Beta Space Gallery 17.4-3.5.2024
Selected works in Aalto ARTS Student Show 2024 5.9-3.10.2024
Photography: Anne Kinnunen
Ceramics Laboratory 2023 – TRANSLUCENCY
During the course Ceramics Laboratory, Students explored the idea of materiality and immateriality by playing with the qualities of different porcelain clay bodies. Cow bone china, reindeer bone china, feldspar, and paper porcelain were experimented with.
Teachers: Nathalie Lautenbacher and Niko Mankinen
Guest lecturers: Priska Falin, Eliisa Isoniemi, Eeva Jokinen, Maarit Mäkelä, Kirsti Taiviola
Studio technicians: Tomi Pelkonen, Tatu Vuorio, Mira Niittymäki
Photography: Tatu Rouvinen
