Clay Concepts: the Search of Cultural Identity in Augustus II the Strong Court by Ceramic Practice

The aim of this practice-based research is to reveal the artistic connections between the collections of ceramics of the State Art Collection in Dresden (Zwinger), Wawel Castle Museum, National Museum in Krakow, Victoria and Albert Museum in London and Lithuanian Museums and ceramics practice through creative work and historical context analysis. The research focuses on the 18th century phenomenon of European porcelain invented at the manor of Augustus II the Strong, and it also includes analysis of the collections of Japanese and Chinese porcelain owned by Augustus II the Strong. The study will examine how the discovery of porcelain technology and the influence of oriental porcelain is visible in the ceramics of the areas of Krakow and Vilnius within that period. Consistent visual research of the ceramics stored in museums of Germany, Poland and Lithuania and consultations with researchers of these collections are planned.

The core of the practical part of the research is a group of new works based on the research of historical ceramics. Getting acquainted with the collections in museums will aim to extend the understanding of material culture as well as to analyse the ways in which ceramics are exhibited and presented to the public. The research methodology will combine practice and theory: practical research will take place in the studio where creative works will be done using various technologies (hand building, printing ceramics, creating digital 3D projects). The textual part of the study will provide a detailed historical context as well as case studies, interviews with ceramic practitioners and theorists. During the interviews, the materiality of clay and porcelain and the processes of working with these materials, and also the singularity of the formation of museum collections will be discussed. All practically created works will be documented and defined in the context of art. The aim of the creative works will be to name the interconnections between museum collections and to expand the knowledge about the possibilities of art and materiality through experiments. The final result of the research will be presented in an exhibition and an article or articles. The developed 3D models will become a widely applicable template for education and further individual experiments.

This project has received funding from the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT), agreement No. S-PD-22-46.