MAASTRICHT, NL — With works by Ai Weiwei, Picasso, Robert Arneson and Rodin, the exhibition Ceramix at the Bonnefantenmuseum (October 16, 2015 – January 31, 2016) was the one to catch if you wanted a crash course in contemporary ceramic art. Couldn’t make it out to the Netherlands? Don’t worry; it’s a traveling show. We also found a few videos that can give you a secondhand experience.
Above image: An altered ceramic figure by Jessica Harrsion. We profiled Harrison before on cfile.daily and her work can be seen in Ceramix.
Curators Camille Morineau and Lucia Pesapane brought together more than 250 works of contemporary ceramic art going back to the 20th century. About 100 artists are represented, according to the museum. Visitors mentioned that they had to go back multiple times to catch everything.
Ceramix tells the story of ceramic art from the beginning of last century to the present, with a strong focus on the post-war production of artistic ceramics and the contemporary art of Europe, North America and Asia. The artists selected have used the material in a variety of ways: from paintings and sculptures to installations in mixed techniques. The exhibition is presented both chronologically and thematically, and also includes a number of monograph rooms that have been arranged in close cooperation with the artists in question, who include Johan Creten and Klara Kristalova.
The above video by John Hacking presents a more thorough look of the exhibition. If you’re upset that you missed it, never fear! This is a traveling exhibition. It’s currently on view at Paris’ La Maison Rouge and Sèvres’ Cité de la Céramique through June 12. The exhibition might not show you things you aren’t already familiar with, but think of it as a victory lap for ceramics’ acceptance into fine arts.
Do you love or loathe this exhibition of contemporary ceramic art? Let us know in the comments.
“boring” “conservative” “safe” – all around great show!!!!!!