18/12/2024
Thank you for a wonderful Triennale
As the year ends, we look back and take stock. This year's European Ceramic Context has been above and beyond. Amazing and inspiring. The number of applicants was overwhelming, which proves the widespread urge to make sustainable changes in the ceramic field. The diversity in sustainable works, installations, and ideas was fascinating, and the warm feedback we received from participating artists, guests, and collaborators made all the hard work worthwhile. We cherish every word and gesture, keeping the blissful moments in our hearts and on the horizon for when the work begins for the next Triennale for Glass in 2027.
The late summer opening weekend on Bornholm, with numerous participating artists, curators, and guests, was epic. The exhibitions, with 65 artists from 28 European Countries, the knowledge-sharing sessions, the walks, the talks, and the networking dinner with local and international artists sharing ideas and inspiration, were unforgettable.
We are incredibly proud of this year's sustainable theme and agenda, which managed to spark interesting conversations, share new inventions, and invite new collaborations. We do not claim to have the answer to the Earth's challenging future, but we wanted to spark the conversation and knowledge sharing in the ceramic field. We know it is a long, winding road that requires hard work and new inventions. Still, we are confident that most of you returned to your studios with new ideas and new people in your midst who have inspired you to develop sustainable change.
The holidays are approaching, and a new year is alluring with new opportunities. We wish to thank you all in chorus with the salute RECLAYMING THE FUTURE by Else Skjold, Associate Professor at the Royal Danish Academy, her futuristic speech performed during the networking dinner:
“Just think about it for a moment; the clay in your hands holds millennia of Earth memory. It has formed the physical ground under thousands of feet in times of war and crisis. It has lived right under all the loves of the world and continues to do. It has seen species come and go and stored them for us to see and remember. And if clay has formed the past and stored it for us. It can also help form our future. I am so thankful for all being here. You initiated the RE-CLAYMING THE FUTURE movement that enables me to even be here at all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of Earth in 2070“.
Read the full speech here:
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65366d5093a13fa9d4dbb0ce/676161c209e6c52cac2588bc_Speach_ElseSkjold.pdf
We are closing the secretariat European Ceramic Context as 2024 comes to an end. We look forward to reconnection with you all again in three years for European Glass Context 2027. On behalf of the steering committee, The Royal Danish Academy, Hjorth’s Fabrik, Bornholm’s Art Museum, Bornholms Centre for Crafts Grønbechs Gård, Maker’s Island, staff, students and volunteers, we thank you for your pivotal role in the success of this event. Your collaborations and inspiring conversations have been instrumental.
We wish you all happy holidays and a prosperous New Year!
Warm regards, Susanne Jøker Johnsen
Project Director, The Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation
Photo credit: Rasmus Kvist
