Clay+ project is an experimental laboratory where participants can share opinions and experiment with unconventional ways of using clay, exploring clay as a narrative material and a reflection of social issues. “Clay” stands for a material from nature. It is a medium that has been used to convey messages. After reshaping and revaluing, clay will become an intellectual object, a storyteller. It is also a way of living, simple and austere, beautiful and profound. “Plus” is the methodology. It is a way of thinking. In this laboratory, idea fragments meet, combine, and evolve. The border of clay extends through collage and the collaboration with people, ideas, and other materials.
Clayplus workshop is site-specific. Our first launch was in The Story Garden in Camden are of London on 10 March 2020. The garden is a place where people can communicate, share knowledges and make connections. Moreover, the garden becomes a specific context, inspiring participants to think differently.
Video credit: Rikki Henry, Yu Leng, Dorisluming
The Story Garden is a partnership between Global Generation, the British Library, Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan. MAKE @ Story Garden is developed and delivered by Central Saint Martins and Somers Town Community Association, in partnership with Camden Council and Lendlease. MAKE is based in the Story Garden, built for and by the local community. The garden is a green oasis at the British Library in Somers Town, bringing the local community together over food growing, communal meals, shared stories and creative activities.
Before the workshop, we did lots of research and testing. The progress makes us think more about the importance of collaboration and community as well as the factors that changes the value of a material, such as narrations, utilities, and rarities. By looking into the cases of clay practitioners, we found the potentials of using and interpreting clay. Clay is not just a form. It is something social.
We invited a small group of UAL MA students from different courses, who are interested in clay and would like to use clay as a medium in their future practices. Clay+ workshop is a laboratory where participants can share opinions and experiment with unconventional ways of using clay, exploring clay as a narrative material and a reflection on social issues.
What is clay? From use as an industrial building material to a multitude of daily uses.
Clay+ Expermental video
CLAY+ TEAM
Workshop Preparation and Research
Project Director - Manqiao Fang
Workshop Preparation - Qinming
Workshop Preparation - Yang Li
Project Research and Equipment - Chuan Qin
Project Preparation - Ke Wang
Graphic Design
Poster and catalogue design - Catarina Neves, Sally Yang
Documentation
Photographer - Yu Leng, Dorisluming
Videographer - Dorisluming
Video Editor - Rikki Henry
Catalogue - Manqiao Fang
Editor
Eliza Collin
Special thanks
Georgia Jacob
Simeon Featherstone
Alicia Monedero
Cai Zhang
Alicia Monedero-Chaves
Participants
Qinming Feng
Yang Li
Fiona Adamson
Lizzie Cardozo
Kay Senior
James Canty
Dee Honeybon
Wenjun Chen
Liz Ramos-Prado
Nicky O’donnell
Funded by
UAL Post-Grad Community
Supported by MAKE@Story Garden
Related Links
- Clay+ Online Catalogue
- MAKE@Story Garden
- information about the garden please visit @Global Generation.
- Original call for collaboration to postgrads
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