Upcoming defence of doctoral thesis: Relating to Clay: Tuning in to the Workings of the Aesthetic Dimension in Ceramic Practice — MA Priska Falin

Master of Arts Priska Falin will defend the thesis "Relating to Clay: Tuning in to the Workings of the Aesthetic Dimension in Ceramic Practice" on 21 October 2022 at 12:00 in Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Department of Design, at lecture hall M1, Otakaari 1, Espoo, and online in Zoom.

Embodied Clay: Workshop participant concentrating on the tactility of clay. The workshop was part of the British Ceramics Biennial’s Summer School in 2018. Image credits: Jenny Harper, 2018.

This study highlights the subtle use of the senses in creative work and identifies exposure and sensitization to materials as an asset that fuels creativity. Such an ability is part of an understanding of ceramic material, but at the same time, it leads to the experiential and performative nature of making ceramics. This research is directed with three approaches to the body: the experiencing body, the performing body and the sentient body. The research expands the understanding of the role of bodily knowledge in creative practices, extending to a more sensitive level of the body's sensory experience, and suggests that in creative work one must focus on bodily experience in order to understand and develop bodily capacity. The research leads toward a more meditative and contemplative interaction with the material and proposes two concepts 'Subtle body' and 'Dwelling with the material' as a starting point for creative work.

The research focuses on ceramic practice investigating both hand-making and 3D printing of clay from the perspective of embodied understanding. The study emphasizes the aesthetics of making, which defines the creative experience and affords a connection between the maker and the material. 'Relating to Clay' is a practice-led study that expands the traditional research approach focused on the subjective perspective in two steps; the first phase, which focuses on the subjective perspective is further complimented by a second phase where a shared, collaborative level is achieved between different professionals.

Instead of focusing on an outcome oriented process, this research focuses on enabling slow, silent and contemplative processes. Such directions in creative practices are seen to support personal creativity while also bringing out the therapeutic dimension in material interaction.

Opponent: Prof. Welby Ings, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Custos: Prof. Maarit Mäkelä, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Department of Design

Follow defence: https://aalto.zoom.us/j/62101689103

The electronic version of the publication can be found here:

https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/117020