ceramics & porcelain
Printing with Ceramics While 3D printing has been around for some time, but a design studio called ‘UNFOLD LAB’ (www.unfold.be) have recently developed a 3D printer that prints with ceramic material. The results which are relatively early prototypes contrast in a very interesting way with what we might usually understand properites that finished ceramic objects have. The lines of construction can be clearly seen, which I really like. The machine uses powder clay which is mixed with water and printed out using a syringe. To test their design unfold wanted to print a ceramic vessel which would be difficult using traditional techniques, so they drafted a double walled vessel with fins connecting the two walls. The result was successful and they fired the vessel along with a number of other testing pieces that demonstrate the printers effectiveness. http://www.unfold.be
Ceramic Brakes Ceramic is used in car’s brake and it is fairly new. It is often used in performance vehicles and high-end sports cars which require more stopping power. Ceramic brake has more stopping ability, creates less wastage, stronger in overheat and overuse, and it last longer, compare to old semi metal brakes. Although, the price still matters and it will take some time to see this in ordinary cars. *Interesting thing is that it glows red when it is heated and still does not lose too much stopping ability and when it is used a lot it catches fire.
Stillness in the Glorious Wilderness This is a piece from a installation of eight ceramic sculptures by Danish ceramicist Marie Torbensdatter Hermann The installation is called Stillness in the Glorious Wildnerness. “Hermann’s precise forms in rhythmic arrangements that engage the our experience with an object’s form and its perceived function.”+ matin-gallery.com I chose this image because its essence is very attractive. My mind is soothed by it. At first glance it looks like a still image of strawberry milk caught just as it explodes in the air. This is not the case though. The material is quite hard as it is a ceramic sculpture. It is amazing what can be made out of a material if you discard its attributes and look at it in a different way.
GSG Ceramic Design GSG is a company specialized in the production of ceramic sanitaryware, and is to be found in the ceramic district of Civita Castellana. The gsg company has a long experiance in the foreign market with classic design, and now, a careful awareness of todays designs and styles, enlarging the gamma of products to combine a new way of living and concept of architectural bathrooms. http://www.ceramicagsg.com/
Toshiko Takaezu This is one of Toshiko Takaezu’s moon pots. While I recognize that her method was not altogether revolutionary (though she did dry her pots in hammocks), to me, the spirit of her work transcends the material. Because of it’s exibility, ceramic can successfully evoke a kind of mood that I nd is less frequently evoked by objects made with other materials. So, all in all, I suppose that I chose this ‘pot’ (moon pots are actually closed on top) because I have been obsessed with Takaezu’s work for years and because I find it incredibly compelling, though I am not sure why. This is one of Toshiko Takaezu’s moon pots. While I recognize that her method was not altogether revolutionary (though she did dry her pots in hammocks), to me, the spirit of her work transcends the material.
Nendo - Ceramic Audio Speaker The collaboration between Nendo design studio and potter Mitsuke Masayasu created a high-end audio speaker made of razor thin slices of ceramic. These slices are fixed with mercury vapor and assembled by a robotic arm creating a circuit board aesthetic.
Aldo Bakker - Odd Cup-lings These are all bits and pieces from the porcelain tableware set designed by Aldo Bakker. Each has a unique shape according to what each dish is used for and how the hand holds it. Nice handiwork and highlights the simple sleekness of porcelain.
Natucer Tiles Called Lifearq, the deceptive bamboo-shaped pieces are actually made of extruded porcelain tile and can be used to create unique room dividers or stand-alone shade screens. Made by Natucer company.
Porcelain Tape “KERAFLEX porcelain tape is a thin, flexible tape, based on ceramic raw materials and an organic binding matrix. Due to the high flexibility of the tape, completely new possibilities in the porcelain processing arise: Stamp, shape, cut, fold, bend and laminate the tape and give your design a new creativity. Forget traditional casting processes and discover the uncomplicated shaping with KERAFLEX.� http://www.kerafol.com/en/porcelain-tape/ products.html
Ceramic Cooling Screen material research Studio Kahn’s Ceramic Cooling Screen. I love how this product is flexible, elegant, while serving a very necessary purpose of cooling an interior. This screen contains a water pocket that uses seepage and evaporation to perform its cooling duties. http://www.interiordesign.net/blog/Design_Green/41529-Gorgeous_Ceramic_Cooling_ Screen_by_StudioKahn.php?intref=sr