 There were three main
sites: Kwangju - Ichon - Yoju. Diverse exhibitions such as World Ceramic
Heritages, World Contemporary Ceramics, International Ceramic Design,
Korean Contemporary Ceramics and Hi-Tech Ceramics took place. The aim of
the Exposition was to shed light on the past, present and future of
ceramic culture. From Neolithic Age earthenwares to works by contemporary
masters, including Northeast Asian Ceramic Interchanges between Korea,
China and Japan, the originators of the World Ceramic History. It was
stated: "Ceramics will come into being again, not only as functional, but
also as artistic and industrial tools. It shows the versatility and
infinite possibilities of ceramics and how we can build our future with
earth. Ceramics is a magnificent achievement of our civilisation that
enables us to construct the future".
My main reason for
visiting Korea was to attend the 1st World Ceramic Biennale International
Competition 2001. There were 6000 entries and approximately 300 selected
worldwide, five being from Australia. I feel very honoured to have had two
pieces of work selected, one from each category. The categories were: 1.
Ceramics as Expression, 2. Ceramics for Use.
The second reason was to
attend the various exhibitions from around the world. The IAC members
exhibition coincided with their 39th selection meeting which took place
over four days. I believe it was a very thorough and tough job selecting
only 30 people out of 108. There was also an invitational exhibition of
World ceramics from 38 masters, some of whom gave workshops. Potters from
nine countries took part - USA, UK, France, Spain, Norway, Italy, Canada,
Japan and Korea.
One of the main events was a three day Ceramic Symposium where
distinguished ceramic experts examined the history and current state of
ceramic art in its cultural and aesthetic contents and explored how the
past and present will affect the future and further development of the
earth's potential. Under the theme: "To Measure the Unmeasurable", the
Symposium consists of three broad thematic categories: Aesthetic and
Cultural Retrospective. the Passages of Art and Life, And Applications and
Prospect. |
