'object factory' the art of industrial ceramics at the gardiner museum

view of ‘object factory’ at the gardiner museum

the gardiner museum in toronto houses an expansive collection of 3,000 historic and contemporary ceramic
pieces that trace the history of this ancient craft. their new exhibition ‘object factory’ focuses specifically on the
art of industrial ceramics. curated by modus design’s marek cecula, the exhibition features more than 200
ceramic pieces by artists, designers and industrial manufacturers. the exhibit opened on may 15th and will
continue running until september 7th; an exhibition catalogue is available through the museum.

as guest curator, cecula focused on the new relationship between ceramic artists, designers and manufacturers
that has emerged in the last few decades. the show features work from 18 different countries, including
established ceramicists as well as artists and designers. these works explore new technological innovations in
ceramics and new formal experimentation. the works are displayed categorically highlighting the similarities
between the works, despite their artistic or industrial origins. the various sections highlight the interaction
between design and industry (in both directions), material exploration, form manipulation, applied imagery as
well as high tech ceramics and lighting.

the exhibit fluently traces the continuing relationship between design and industry, while the pieces serve to
explore the seemingly endless material possibilities inherent in ceramics. ‘object factory’ is sharply focused on
this particular niche of ceramics, painting a vivid picture of its progression until now and hinting at its future.

http://www.gardinermuseum.on.ca



view of ‘object factory’ at the gardiner museum


view of ‘object factory’ at the gardiner museum


view of ‘object factory’ at the gardiner museum


‘combinations’ by alon meron, 2007


‘untitled’ by kjell rylander, 2000 (photo: annci gustafsson)


garlic keeper, lemon squeezer, mortar and pestle & oil or vinegar bottle with funnel by koen de winter, 2003-2006
(produced by atelier orange)


‘willow pattern, with uncertainty’ by robert dawson, 2003 & ‘branch candlestick’ by ted muehling, 2002
(manufactured by: nymphenburg)


‘coffeemania collection with touch! surface’ by barbara schmidt, 2001-2004 (produced by kahla/thuringen porzellan)


‘demi tasse’ by arman, 1990 (manufactured by: bernardaud)


‘vase cléopâtre’ by ettore sottsass, 1994 (manufactured by: manufacture nationale de sèvres) (photo: g. jonca) &

‘expression salt and pepper, oil and vinegar set’ by pieter stockmans, 1991 (photo: van sloun&ramaekers)


view of ‘object factory’ at the gardiner museum


‘handle with care’ by yuval tal, 2003


‘still-life with marie’ by kari skoe fredriksen, 1994 (photo: kari skoe fredriksen)