Solid ground exhibition

contemporary ceramics and reflections on the world around it

Keraamisia astioita ruskeissa sävyissä

Jatta Lavi, Saija Halko and Laura Itkonen, small scale production. Photo: Anne Kinnunen

Jatta Lavi, Saija Halko and Laura Itkonen, small scale production. Photo: Anne Kinnunen

Kyllikki Salmenhaara, 1970s, glaze tests. Photo: AnneKinnunen

Kyllikki Salmenhaara, 1970-luku, lasitekokeita. Kuva: AnneKinnunen

Ceramics as an ancient material provides a connection to past generations and cultures across the globe. A pot, a dish, animal figures... The prototypes of many ceramic objects are age-old. Ceramics is popular again, and old subjects take new forms in the hands of new makers. What is the secret behind the thousand-year-old attraction of ceramics? What does this attraction say about us human beings?



‘A well-kept ceramic item will last almost forever, and as an eternal item, it should stay in fashion for a long time and not be a passing whim’, says ceramicist Nathalie Lautenbacher.


The exhibition will bring together works from experienced ceramists and designers along with students just starting their career. The familiar and yet fresh and topical themes of the exhibition will vary from tableware to material studies and contemporary ceramic arts. Selected works by teachers and students from the Aalto University archives will also be on display. The exhibition features some of the field’s most prominant names such as Kristina Riska, Sami Ruotsalainen, Kirsi Kivivirta, Kim Simonsson, Lotta Mattila and Matias Karsikas. In addition, projects using new technology and experimental design will offer a sneak peek into the future of the field.

Ceramic art is one of the first subjects taught at the Craft School (Veistokoulu), the first school to offer education in handcrafts and arts in Finland in the 19th century. But what is ceramics in the 2020’s? As a material, ceramics is ever-relevant within design practices. 

90% of the Earth’s upper mantle is composed of silicate minerals, and ceramics is made by burning these minerals. As the temperature rises, the material undergoes a major change. It becomes hard and will not change its form anymore. We’re living our daily lives on top of this wonderful mineral resource. Thus, ceramics is a gateway to the generations that came before us, to ancient traditions and cultures. Ceramics holds stories of the past, present and future, and with talented hands these stories can come to life. The name of the exhibition — Solid Ground – is a reflection of this notion. 

Aalto University offers bachelor level studies in ceramics in its department of design. The master’s level programme Contemporary Design delves into ceramics as well. Aalto research on ceramics is focused on the artistic process, materiality, ecological issues as well as technological applications. Our ceramics studio is open for all students for exploration. 

green ceramics
what circular ceramics
Värikkäitä keraamisia esineitä

Camilo Cortes, Moving Bodies, 2018. Expanding ceramic mass. Photo: Camilo Cortes

Camilo Cortes, Moving Bodies, 2018. Expanding ceramic mass. Photo: Camilo Cortes

tummanpuhuvia keraamisia esineitä

Kati Tuominen-Niittylä, Rauta-aika series, 2013, Photo: Jefunne Gimpel

Kati Tuominen-Niittylä, Rauta-aika series, 2013, Photo: Jefunne Gimpel

Keraamiinen valkoinen muoto, jossa kasvikuvioita päällä

Tiia Matikainen, Hämärän vartija, 2019. Photo: Pasi Mälkiä

Tiia Matikainen, Hämärän vartija, 2019. Photo: Pasi Mälkiä

keraamisia astioita

Saija Halko, Laura Itkonen, Sarita Koivukoski, Nathalie Lautenbacher, Tuuli Saarelainen: Tableware. Photo: Anne Kinnunen

Saija Halko, Laura Itkonen, Sarita Koivukoski, Nathalie Lautenbacher, Tuuli Saarelainen: Tableware. Photo: Anne Kinnunen

Keraaminen pyöreä esine.

Julia Strand: Nupukka 2.

Julia Strand: Nupukka 2.

Item 1 of 5
Värikkäitä keraamisia esineitä

Camilo Cortes, Moving Bodies, 2018. Expanding ceramic mass. Photo: Camilo Cortes

Camilo Cortes, Moving Bodies, 2018. Expanding ceramic mass. Photo: Camilo Cortes

tummanpuhuvia keraamisia esineitä

Kati Tuominen-Niittylä, Rauta-aika series, 2013, Photo: Jefunne Gimpel

Kati Tuominen-Niittylä, Rauta-aika series, 2013, Photo: Jefunne Gimpel

Keraamiinen valkoinen muoto, jossa kasvikuvioita päällä

Tiia Matikainen, Hämärän vartija, 2019. Photo: Pasi Mälkiä

Tiia Matikainen, Hämärän vartija, 2019. Photo: Pasi Mälkiä

keraamisia astioita

Saija Halko, Laura Itkonen, Sarita Koivukoski, Nathalie Lautenbacher, Tuuli Saarelainen: Tableware. Photo: Anne Kinnunen

Saija Halko, Laura Itkonen, Sarita Koivukoski, Nathalie Lautenbacher, Tuuli Saarelainen: Tableware. Photo: Anne Kinnunen

Keraaminen pyöreä esine.

Julia Strand: Nupukka 2.

Julia Strand: Nupukka 2.

Kristina Riska’s sculptures “inevitableprogress I & II” at Aalto University Töölö

Kristina Riska’s sculptures “inevitableprogress I & II” at Aalto University Töölö

The idea behind the STAGE artwork by ceramic artist Kirsi Kivivirta in the “Human Approach”

Exhibition team: Nathalie Lautenbacher (lecturer, curator), Maarit Mäkelä (professor), Outi Turpeinen (coordinator), Tuuli Saarelainen (assistant), Ariane Relander ja Piia Jalkanen (exhibition design), Annika Leppäaho (visuals)

 

The exhibition is part of the INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF CERAMICS (IAC) online conference organized in Rovaniemi in September 2021.

The Solid Ground book is available at Aalto ARTS Books.