by HIGH POINT — Sound waves are transformed into dramatic ceramic vases and sculptures in the new exhibit making its debut at the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, 311 S. Hamilton St. during the fall High Point Market, Oct. 16 through 21.
The new exhibit sponsored by Global Views is called The Sounds of Design: A Study of Sound, Motion and Emotion. It has been created by Claraval Sound-Made Ceramics, a joint venture between S. Bernardo, a ceramics producer in Alcobaça, Portugal, and Skopelab, a computational design studio. S. Bernardo is a commercial brand of ceramics and porcelain owned and manufactured by the Portuguese company Perpétua, Pereira & Almeida.
“Through computational design, 3D printing and traditional ceramic fabrication, we transform sound into fluid, harmonic and unique fine-art ceramics,” says Fábio Caldas, head of marketing at Claraval Sound-Made Ceramics. “The uniqueness of the concept and its execution leave a lasting impression on everyone who encounters our pieces,” he says, adding that this innovation also opens a completely new dimension in ceramic design.
The Sounds of Design exhibit at the Hall of Fame features nearly a dozen examples, which demonstrate a wide range of objects and art inspired by the geometry of sound. Each piece conveys a powerful sense of time and place that connects directly to its specific origins. The Foz collection, for example, draws on the captivating beauty of the Foz de Douro region, Portugal’s charming coastal district.
Monastery, the line’s flagship collection, was inspired by an acapella performance by Sónia Tavares recorded in the Cistercian Monastery in Alcobaça. Tavares is the lead singer for The Gift, a popular Portuguese alternative rock band. The timeless essence of the UNESCO World Heritage site is transformed into a fine art collection of sculptures and vases with distinct organic forms and exclusive finishes such as volcanic grey and flame orange that speak to the unique history and architecture of the monastery.
“Tavares’ voice is characterized by a tremendous power and range,” says Mark Lloyd, founder of Skopelab. “For me, sound is visualizable in my mind. I imagine how it floats, and swerves through space, and this is what we have tried to capture with the Claraval ceramics line.”
The creative process for Claraval ceramics begins with a detailed analysis of the subject being explored, such as a place, voice, or story. What does a sound mean? What does it feel like? This interpretive work informs the direction a project will take, according to the company. Next, recordings capture the identity and spirit of the subject. These raw elements, which include rhythm, texture, harmony and timbre, guide the steps to come.
In the third step, a custom algorithm is developed that drives the transformation from sound to a physical 3D form. A custom algorithm is created for each collection, so the resulting geometry is a true reflection of each subject with a unique ethos embedded in the code. Working with this algorithm, a digital form is refined and adjusted and a final prototype in clay is produced. At this point, Bernardo’s design team begins researching new glazes to complement the collection. In the final stage, slip-casting molds are produced, and the traditional hand-crafted production process begins. Slip-casting is followed by hand finishing, firing, glazing and a second firing, at which point a final ceramic piece is completed.
Claraval is thrilled to be a part of the Sound-Made Ceramics exhibit at the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, says Caldas. “We are incredibly proud of the Claraval line and the journey we have embarked on to bring sound to life through our ceramics. Our Sound-Made Ceramics technology is at the heart of our creative process, allowing us to craft stunning pieces that capture the harmonies of nature in a tangible form, and to create an immersive experience that connects people with the essence of sound and the beauty of form.”
“When we first heard about this technique, we knew we needed to bring it here,” says Karen McNeill, CEO of the Hall of Fame. “The exhibit explores the ability that sound has to stir movement and emotion and how that information can be captured and translated into beautiful, hand-crafted ceramics. We are grateful to Global Views for sharing it with the industry.”
