woelky conceives porcelain casting technique based on chicken eggs

woelky conceives porcelain casting technique based on chicken eggs
all images courtesy of kaja woelky

influenced by the natural formation of a hen’s egg, kaja woelky has developed a method for producing porcelain products. over time, her analysis of the growth of a shell has made it possible to transfer this organic technique to a technical one where the layering process is fundamentally different from conventional casting.

the table of experiments

similar to woelky’s studies, where calcium attaches itself to the egg membrane, the slip (diluted clay that is strained to a smooth consistency) is wrapped around a device that will serve as the framework of each creation. referred to as ‘pneu’, the machine is surrounded by a rubbery ingredient named ‘alginate’. this substance, normally found in seaweed, draws the moisture from the material, allowing an adhesion of minerals. as with organic egg production, this grants the replication of multiple thin sheets by the rotating movement of the mechanism.

adhesion of the porcelain minerals on the alginate layer 

because of this method, it is possible to implement formative components. for example, grains or seeds can be placed between the individual coats, which will leave a porous structure inside and a haptic surface outside after burning. based on the forms of the pneu, differing vessels are produced that are characterized by a sustainable scheme. the innovation lies in the possibility to manipulate the shape of the porcelain significantly.

different forms of pneus and filling materials result in different types of vessels

egg membrane, egg shell

dry alginate layer, dried porcelain

seeds between each membrane

the layers of seeds leave a pore structure inside the material and after burning

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