Re: Our meeting in Jingdezhen

In January 2024, we travelled to Jingdezhen (China), the porcelain capital of the world. We were invited by the Taoxichuan Art Centre, a prestigious art institute in the city and propagator of the ceramic craft.

During GLUE 2024 we will show the outcome of this working period for the first time in Europe.

During this working period, we explored the principle of ‘pareidolia’. This is a psychological phenomenon where people interpret indistinct perceptions in such a way that they think they perceive recognisable things in them. Examples include faces in trees, cars and moon craters, or various shapes in clouds.

This phenomenon combined with our own form language resulted in a number of basic shapes with cut-outs to which we have given personality through various additions. These additions include experiments in glazing, additional shapes or even typical Chinese packaging material from the streets of Jingdezhen.

The origin for this project lies in an art commission we once carried out for HilberinkBosch Architects. We stylised a number of characteristic residents of a neighbourhood to be rebuilt in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and depicted them in ceramics. This art commission was subsequently added (in modified form) to the collection of the well-known Dutch design label MOOOI under the name ‘The Party’.

About Jingdezhen

Jingdezhen, known as the “Porcelain Capital” of China, is a city in Jiangxi province with a history of porcelain production dating back over 1,700 years. Renowned for its fine, white porcelain, the city became prominent during the Song dynasty and reached its peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties, supplying exquisite wares to Chinese emperors and global markets. Today, Jingdezhen remains a hub for ceramic art, attracting artists and visitors worldwide. The city blends its rich heritage with modern creativity, featuring museums, workshops, and the Taoxichuan Art Center, which revitalizes its historic role in the arts.

About Taoxichuan Art Center

The Taoxichuan Art Center Residency in Jingdezhen offers artists from around the world the opportunity to immerse themselves in the city’s rich ceramic traditions. Located in a transformed porcelain factory, the residency provides access to state-of-the-art studios, kilns, and materials, allowing artists to explore and innovate in ceramics and other mediums. Residents engage with local artisans, participate in workshops, and showcase their work in exhibitions. The program fosters cultural exchange and creative growth, connecting traditional craftsmanship with contemporary art. It’s a unique environment where history and modernity merge, inspiring new artistic directions