A Tipping Point: Technology in Ceramics

SEPTEMBER 23 – NOVEMBER 6, 2016
Main Gallery


Through market demand, technologies like 3D printers and CNC routers—previously only available to industry and academic institutions—are becoming far more affordable and accessible. Today’s artists have a new toolkit, which was unavailable even a decade ago. Individuals of any material or educational background can now wield the power of a small factory, prototyping, rendering, and altering on a computer before an object is actually formed in clay. Curated by Heather Nameth Bren and Michael Arnold, A Tipping Point: Technology in Ceramics brought together the work of ceramic artists, designers, and architects. The exhibition included the work of Adam Chau, Michael Eden, Olivier van Herpt and Sander Wassink, Rael San Fratello (a collaboration between Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello), Adam Nathaniel Furman, and Jenny Sabin.

A Tipping Point Related Events
Ronald Rael and Jenny Sabin joined us for A Tipping Point’s public artist talk, which took place on Thursday, September 22 at 6 pm in NCC’s library. This event was free and open to the public.

Tethon 3D generously agreed to bring a 3D printer to NCC as part of the opening night celebrations.

We began with a demonstration and lecture that took place on Saturday, September 24, from 9 am – 4 pm. Tethon 3D shared trends in new ceramic technologies, and Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello demonstrated 3D printing from 1 – 4 pm. This free workshop is perfect for art educators interested in employing new technologies in their classrooms and for anyone following trends in new methods of ceramic production.

A special thanks to Tethon 3D for helping make this exhibition and the related events possible. Additional thanks to Adrian Sassoon, London, for generously loaning Michael Eden’s work. 

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Related Resources:Adam Chau’s website: adamchau.comCfile: a video demonstrating Chau’s process of digital calligraphy.Michael Eden’s website: michael-eden.comAn interview with Eden, discussing how he came to master ceramic 3D printing.Cfile: demonstrates the integration of technology in art making, with video demonstration.Crafts Council: a profile of Eden’s process, with video demonstrations.Olivier van Herpt’s website: oliviervanherpt.comDesign Boom: an exploration of van Herpt’s 3D printing process.Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello’s website: rael-sanfratello.comEmerging Objects: Rael and San Fratello’s project to spread big ideas about ceramic 3D printing possibilities.Metropolis: an interview with Rael and San Fratello.Adam Nathaniel Furman’s website: adamnathanielfurman.comiMaterialise: a look into Furman’s ceramic 3D printing.Cfile: Art and Architecture, Transcendent Vision of Rome.Jenny Sabin’s website: jennysabin.comDigital Ceramics: a look into Sabin’s digital ceramic research.