The Experimental Ceramic Studio in North Bohemia is happy to announce KEEP IN TOUCH – The International Porcelain Symposium. Following the aim of our studio we would like to welcome young artists and designers to develop a project in porcelain during a three-week residency in the summer of 2024. The symposium also hosts specialists from the fields of theory and practice. The symposium has occurred biennially since 2010 at the Experimental Ceramic Studio, a part of the Faculty of Arts and Design, J. E. Purkyně University (FAD JEPU), in the town of Dubí. KEEP IN TOUCH has been made possible with the support of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague.

KEEP IN TOUCH will take place from July 22 to August 8, 2024

As a special event, it includes
WORKSHOP WEEKEND / July 26 – July 28, 2024 / Presentations of Masters of craft and theory

This year’s title: Only Treasures Left to Last

Let us examine who we are, what do we experience and create, and what lies beyond ourselves. Seeking to nurture and understand our individual capacity to think through material, we will focus on the many processes, from the most practical to the abstract. Memory, experience, stories and emotions will be shown as collective in nature, influencing our decision making. Meanwhile, the material manifests a discrete agency of its own, guiding and surprising us. From the confluence we reclaim treasures. Do we dare to reframe our understanding of interactions within the network of things, acts and circumstances as play? This year’s symposium will examine what we take in and pass on through our artistic practice with porcelain as our framework.

Early Bird Deadline for receiving applications: April 26, 2024 – 15 % fee discount
Deadline for receiving applications: May 10, 2024
Notification of the selected participants: May 17, 2024

Apply now

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Who can apply?

All students, designers, artists, and graduates under 35 years old regardless of nationality may apply to participate in the symposium. The selection is based on submitted projects and portfolios of previous works. An expert committee selects 12 projects.

Fee of participation: 150 €

The fee covers a tree-week accommodation, materials for realization, firing, the use of technical and decoration equipment (except for gold and platinum which are provided for extra payment) and subsequent presentation costs. Participants are individually responsible for personal living expenses, i.e. transport, food, etc.

Participants will be accommodated at Penzion Hrad Doubravka
Teplice, 415 01, Česká republika

Participant rights

Each participant has the right to accommodation, technical assistance, a workplace, a locker and working hours from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Participants are responsible for taking away pieces which are not selected for the exhibitions.
During the symposium participants are informed about the selection of works for the exhibitions and which two pieces will remain in the KEEP IN TOUCH collection.

Workshop facility

Well-lit and functional workshop for working with plaster, porcelain casting, modelling, wheel-throwing, separate glazing and preparation rooms, and a laboratory with electric and gas kilns.
Experienced technical supervisory staff.
Space for attendance of theoretical lectures and technical workshops.
Shared kitchen, toilet, bathroom, free Wi-Fi connectivity.

Materials & Firing facilities

The temperature of porcelain firing is 1380 °C.
Shrinkage of porcelain is 15%.
The maximum height of objects is limited to 115 cm.
Electric, gas and experimental firing (oxidation, reduction) can be achieved.

Conditions for realization

The organizers can exhibit selected pieces or use its images for publication and promotional purposes.
Porcelain material (casting, modeling) and firing expenses are free for each participant.
Participants may bring their own tools, molds and personal protective equipment.

Note: More details about the exhibition and catalog will be provided during the symposium.

Contact and further information

Address: FAD JEPU, Pasteurova 9, 400 96 Ústí nad Labem
E-mail: ceramicskit@gmail.com
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