How can something chaotic and discarded become artisanal innovation?
Ceramics are a material full of history, tradition and beauty, but also fragile and complex. In its different phases of the process there are risks. One of the most critical phases is the first baking, known as sponge cake. In it, the clay is subjected to high temperatures that irreversibly modify its physical and chemical structure, solidifying. Factors such as technical errors, the quality of the paste, defects in the piece or simple accidents can generate broken, cracked or imperfect pieces that make them unusable for the artisan. Many of these pieces are discarded, although in some workshops they are reused as “chamota” which is the pulverized ceramic that serves as an additive for new pastes. However, not all ceramicists produce their own paste formulations and it is a non-essential element, so waste often accumulates without further purpose. Many times, those “mistakes” end up forgotten in a corner of the workshop or directly in the trash.
After working with ceramics for a couple of years and passionate about materials, this problem awakened in me the central question for my graduation project: Is it possible to give a second life to that ceramic waste, generating a physical or economic return for the ceramists?
After several brainstorms and more research, I found a way: to use the pulverized discarded material for the creation of ceramic glazes. This is due to the fact that in Guatemala there is scarce and complex accessibility to the appropriate elements to generate glazes and ceramic pastes despite being a fundamental part of our history and culture. On the other hand, it was expected to generate finishes different from those that are on the market, generating these innovations not only in processes but also in styles.
Due to the natural nature of the project, an experimentation phase was appropriate. After many failed attempts, tests that did not go as expected and many tests of different formulations I generated a palette of different possible ceramic finishes that recycle waste and are inspired by the landscapes of Guatemala from beaches to volcanoes. This is manifested in the natural textures and colors that each finish has. It should be noted that between 40% and 20% of ceramic waste is used in each formulation, which turns error and waste into raw material for creation.
This process left me with different learnings but among them is that design is not always about inventing from scratch, but about looking at what we already have with different eyes. Sometimes, in mistakes and waste, the greatest opportunities to create are hidden.
Majo Ramos
