WiSe 2024/25 Soete Daenen

In my research I came across a so-called Chinese teacup that was actually made in Japan, specifically for the European market. Here porcelain becomes a mirror – it reflects what we want to see, what we believe to be real. Is it a lie? Without its original context, the cup loses its meaning. 

I explored the interaction between ceramics and textiles – how their contrasting yet complementary properties could enhance each other. I dipped knitted wool samples in porcelain and fired them. During this process, the fibers burned away, leaving behind a hollow air pocket. It becomes something that appears to be one thing but is, in fact, another. 

The textile, ensures that the cups insulate better and becomes less hot to the touch, providing a replacement for the handle that was added to the cup for Europe. 

I sought to translate the visual and tactile qualities of glaze into textiles – the way colors flow, blend, and solidify into something fluid.