Shigariki – Ceramic stoneware

Culture & Context

I am interested in providing additional sensory experiences when observing or handling a ceramic work.

This could be particularly useful for enhancing the experience for someone with visual impairment.

Process & Production

The experimental sample vessel was hand built, decorated and glazed ready for its final firing. It was made while on a residency at SCCP (The Shigariki Ceramic Culture Park, Japan).

I recorded specific ‘Shigariki’ sounds, (the one carriage local train, frogs, birds and the gong from the local Shrine) and created a QR code for these.

I had decals printed at the Shigariki Ceramic Research Institute and fired them (800C) on vessels to see if they worked, and they did. I think there is huge potential for this idea to be developed further.

Recipe Details

The vessel or ceramic sculpture can be made from any type of clay and the decals can be printed by any company that produces decals i.e. www.baileydecal.co.uk