Terre à terre is a project which began in February 2014. Ben and Lucile travelled to Nagambie, Victoria, to dig up some clay from Matt and Lentils zero waste farm. There, after inspecting different areas of the farm they returned home with 2 types of clay. Back in Melbourne, they processed the clays by sifting and soaking, to make slip. Their empirical research, to determine the best density and composition of the clay, finally resulted in a successful recipe for workable slip.
Parallel to the material research, they began a dialogue with Matt and Lentil to research which objects would they need and would be relevant to produce out of their clay. In an interesting twist, they requested that the plates could be completely returned to the earth after use. Ben and Lucile decided on 3 firing stages which would also determine the usability of the objects, and their potential re-use. Together, they agreed to produce bowls, cups, and containers for their wedding, which took place early April 2014. Thus, Ben and Lucile produced tableware for the event, and after the dinner, the ceramics were smashed and added to the compost.
4. • Our practice
• start from the start
• influences
• partners - Grown and Gathered
• ethics and making
• 3 months of making
• demonstration
• our position
• where next?
alterfact
13. “The craftsman is proud of what he
has made, and cherishes it, while the
consumer discards things that are
perfectly serviceable in his restless
pursuit of the new”
Richard Sennett
The Culture of the New Capitalism
47. 800°
960°
raw clay
terre a terre
raw clay to reuse chart
fired clay crushed re-useuse
1200°
temporary-
one to two
uses
returned to
the earth or
refired
water filter or
aggregate
aggregate
only
year long -
multiple
uses before
breakage
permanent -
lifelong use
alterfact
