The following comes from Neue Porzellanfabrik Triptis GmbH, the Eschenbach Porzellan Group in Triptis, Germany, regarding a porcelain workshop involving five potters last year. Works produced at Spielraum 122 are pictured here:
Above image: Porcelain work by Lyn Riccardo.
In 2014, Neue Porzellanfabrik Triptis GmbH once more emphasised its earnest commitment to opening the factory to new ideas and creative processes and promoting artists, hosting the third porcelain workshop only one year later. It took place under the title “Spielraum 122” for a period of four weeks in August and September. The concept of this year’s constellation was developed by the managing director of the factory, Rolf Frohwein, in cooperation with Helmut Frank, product developer at Villeroy und Boch AG in Mettlach (who had gotten to know each other through work-related meetings), and his wife, Lyn Riccardo.
Arnie Zimmerman, Tassenbaum Oh Tassenbaum, 2014, porcelain
The artist originally came to Germany from the USA to co-ordinate the workshop “Spirit of Europe”, hosted by Villeroy & Boch AG in Mettlach together with the Parsons School of Design (New York City). She was already involved in organising that project back in 1989. The artist has lived in Germany for nearly 25 years, yet her activities and contacts go much further. She successfully invited three other artists who work on an international level to come and participate in the workshop.
Arnie Zimmerman, Worker Monument, 2014
Another key note was to invite experienced ceramists who were not familiar with the processing of porcelain, but who would be willing to meet that challenge with enthusiasm. And so the following group of people came together in Triptis on 18 August: Helmut Frank from Mettlach (Germany), Patrick Loughran from Paris (France), L. Lida. T. (Lida Tarakhosky) from Goetzenbruck (France), Lyn Riccardo from Mettlach (Germany) and Arnie Zimmerman from New York (USA).
Bowl by Helmut Frank
In contrast to the previous two symposia, this year’s event required a significant change as the long travel routes made it necessary to have only one stay filled with intensive work. That is why the number of participants was reduced to five, taking into account the simultaneous availability of workshop and craft room capacities. The group of artists was highly motivated right from the beginning, inspiring each other, working in a disciplined manner and in a harmonious atmosphere. Moreover, a cordial relationship with the personnel of the porcelain factory developed quickly. Within the scope of “Spielraum 122”, the participants were once again able to benefit from the great support throughout the factory. Both sides -the organiser and the artists – have been rewarded with a multitude of interesting works of art which will now be presented to their audience as unique single pieces, arranged groups, poetic installations or porcelain sculptures. At exhibitions in Germany and abroad, they will tell of the power of their creators and of the willingness of a modern company to be fascinated by new challenges.
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Porcelain bowls by Helmut Frank, 2014
Lida Tarakhovsky, Take Me, 2014, porcelain
Lynn Riccardo, Hubcap Omas Feigen, 2014, porcelain
Lynn Riccardo, Hubcap Chocolate, 2014, porcelain
Porcelain sculptures by Patrick Loughran, 2014
Patrick Loughran, Porcelain plates with cobalt, 2014
Patrick is so talented, just the best cobalt painter the whole world and history has ever known, and the words, oh the words.