
Course by Copenhagen’s NATURAL MATERIAL STUDIO (Founded by Bonnie Hvillum) in collaboration with Through Objects. This is a longer course (2months) that includes the theoretical and practical basics taking into consideration the time needed to carry out a well-founded project focused on natural and bio materials in Ceramics. Throughout this course, you will broaden your knowledge and awareness of using local, natural materials in ceramic works and explore alternative paths to materials research. You will have the chance of learning from Bonnie’s knowledge of natural and biomaterials in ceramics, acquired during her collaboration with Denmark’s Noma restaurant – in this project, Bonnie Hvillum’s Natural Material Studio has created conceptual ceramics from clay made from powdered seashells from Noma restaurant. At the end of the course, you will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to your ceramic creations, artistic vision, or design work.
DETAILS: 2 Months | Intro session (1:30h) + 8 sessions (2:30h) | All sessions will be recorded and sent to participants | Course completion certificate given by Bonnie Hvillum, the course mentor | 620€ (VAT incl. / Exemption for educational events) | 10% discount for students, researchers & previous students of ‘local bio-based materials’ course.
Important note: average ceramic studio tools and ceramic oven (or access to one) are needed to complete some exercises during the course.
Course Program
INTRO SESSION
Introduction (Rita Trindade and Bonnie Hvillum): In this Intro Session, we will all introduce ourselves and start exploring your WHY through a reflective exercise.
Date: coming soon
*
FIRST & SECOND SESSIONS
Sourcing & Making Natural Glazes: In these first sessions, we will be focusing on establishing a shared, fundamental understanding of what a ceramic glaze is, and how to recognize and find natural glaze materials from rocks, plants, and animals. Based on the learning points from session 1 and your own individual sourcing, we will in session 2 take a deep understanding of how to make your glazes based on your found materials. Date: coming soon
THIRD & FOURTH SESSIONS
Methodology, Application & Firing with Natural Glazes: With our learning points from sessions 1 and 2, we will learn how to apply and fire with your natural glazes. We will also learn about the fundamentals of native clays, different types of naturally found clays, where to find clays, and how to prepare and process them. Date: coming soon
*
FIFTH SESSION
Making Clay with Natural Materials: With learnings from session 4 about found clays, we will now start exploring the possibilities of bringing natural materials into your clay bodies, to create your own designed clay. The session will both be based on technical understandings of clay build-ups, as well as bringing a case study from our instructor, Bonnie Hvillum, own learnings from designing several clays based on seashell leftovers. Date: coming soon
SIXTH & SEVENTH SESSIONS
Group Discussion & Shared Learnings: During these group sessions, we will be introduced to the pragmatic learning mindsets of great philosophers, to strengthen our ability to reflect on the action as well as reflect on action. Throughout these group sessions, we hope to keep an open-source environment, to nurture and flourish each other for all to become better at working with natural materials in ceramics. Date: coming soon
*
EIGHTH SESSION
Presentation of Research & Evaluation: Our last session is centered on a final presentation and feedback on your research and developments. We will also reflect on how we can create a safe learning environment and community together going forward. Date: coming soon

How to sign up
To enroll in the course please leave us your contact below: