Melting Ceramics

Like post-apocalyptic debris, a series of distorted reinforced cylinders bear the traces of brutal temperatures. Overfiring, the excessive heat treatment of clay, is usually undesirable in ceramics as it leads to deformation, bloating and ruined pieces. But for Olivier van der Mark that’s when things get interesting. Hitting the right melting point for different clay types is an art in itself, and can make the difference between an intriguing object and a puddle on the kiln floor. So what kind of forms and effects can be created when you reach that liquifying sweet spot? Using high temperatures as a defining element, ‘Melting Ceramics’ is a practice-based exploration of what happens when you push a material to its limits.