Claytopia is Guldagergaard’s initiative geared towards engaging the public, offering a unique space within the beautiful park surrounding Guldagergaard.
Among Claytopia’s activities are outdoor art exhibitions, concerts, discussion salons, and a design boutique.
Claytopia at Guldagergaard
Heilmannsvej 31 A
DK-4230 Skælskør, Denmark
KADRI PÄRNAMETS FIRE SCULPTURE
In 2022, Kadri Pärnamets’ Choreography of Water was exhibited at Ferrin Contemporary in North Adams, MA. The solo exhibition cast the gallery in a sea of hand-built porcelain cups, vases, and cloud forms to explore earth’s most precious resource: water. In Summer 2024, Kadri Pärnamets returned to this idea of water through her newest and largest endeavor to date: a 7+ foot fire sculpture.
On July 9th, the fire sculpture was fired via a “petal kiln”– a stand-alone, reusable kiln designed to open like flower petals – fabricated by friend and master kiln-maker, Andres Allik. The monumental work was unveiled in its final form at Guldagergaard’s Summer festival, Claytopia.
ABOUT THE FIRE SCULPTURE
Having displayed a fire sculpture made by Kadri’s husband, Sergei Isupov, years prior, the Claytopia team approached Kadri in 2023 to commission one of her own. Normally working in porcelain, slip, and glaze on smaller scales, this fire sculpture differs greatly from Kadri’s past works. The sculpture was built using stoneware clay, which includes higher amounts of grog (raw, crushed materials containing silica and alumina), resulting in a more rough, textured medium. As it fires, the clay shrinks more than 10%, and any glazes applied to the clay body will produce darker hues than if applied to porcelain. The changing and precarious nature of these materials adds numerous unpredictable factors, which are only disclosed upon removal from the kiln. These factors directly connect to the larger ideas behind Kadri’s past work: testing life’s constant, unpredictable ups and downs and how we move through and with them.
EVENTS & PROGRAMMING
SERGEI ISUPOV: EXPLORING THE SCULPTED FIGURE AND THE PAINTED SURFACE
July 4-5, 2024
Join internationally acclaimed sculptor Sergei Isupov for a two day workshop exploring the sculpted figure in clay and the painted surface – from the development of ideas to the materialization of form.
The workshop combines demonstrations with hands-on active studio time and one-on-one instruction. Isupov will lead students through demonstrations and include techniques of slab construction, underglaze painting, and glaze application as the three-dimensional sculpture serves as a canvas for narrative painting.
The workshop runs from 10 am to 5 pm both days.
Day 1 – Demonstration of slab construction and preparation of painting surface using simple tools
10 am to 1 pm: Demonstration of slab construction
1 pm to 2 pm: Lunch
2 pm to 5 pm: Participants sculpt their own forms with Isupov’s help and consultations.
Day 2 – Demonstration of underglaze stain and glaze application with an emphasis on using fine brushes to create clean lines
10 am to 12 pm: Demonstration of surface preparation, use of tools and brushes for underglaze painting, discussion of development of narrative.
12 pm to 1 pm: Lunch
2 pm to 5 pm: Participants use these techniques on their own sculptures with Isupov’s consultation.
Language:
English
Price: 2950 DKK
Meals and Drinks:
Throughout the workshop days an electric kettle, coffee and fine teas are available at your disposal.
Meals are not included, but we are providing access to a fully equipped kitchen. It is also possible to order breakfasts and/or lunches before hand:
Breakfast bag: Organic bread from the local bakery, yogurt, cheese, jam and orange juice. Price: 85 DKK
Lunch pack: Fresh mixed salad and a serving of bread. Price: 85 DKK
Accommodation during the Workshop:
It is possible to rent a room at Guldagergaard for 300 DKK per night (when available)
Add on: Short-term Residency Option
Guldagergaard offers the possibility for Workshop participants to extend their Workshop stay with a one-week residency after the Workshop for additional price of 2500 DKK. This price includes access to studio facilities and accommodation for one week. It does not cover additional firings and materials.
To reserve a short-term residency, please send an e-mail to: mette@ceramic.dk.