In this workshop, favourite plants or objects can be preserved for a long time! ...Perhaps not forever, but for an incredibly long period: the oldest objects made of fired clay found so far are 30,000 years old.
Small objects (up to 10 cm) brought along and collected plant parts can be pressed into clay and paperclay to create a kind of fossil after firing. Of course, free moulding of clay and paperclay is also possible. Classic moulding techniques such as the build-up and slab techniques will be demonstrated, offering plenty of space for creative ideas! On 7 June, there will also be the opportunity to fire the objects in a special kiln.
The artist duo Priska Engelhardt and Patrick Will aim to explore the hidden world of natural and wild resources with participants. From their perspective, the most intriguing questions and discoveries are often right underfoot or nearby: such as small plants growing between pavement slabs, overgrown gardens between houses, or forgotten ponds on the edge of a village. These places will be explored in Augustusburg, with samples being collected to create a collection for a clay workshop in the Lehngericht.
As freelance artists, they take a similar approach. They seek out exciting stories and backgrounds through research on the internet, on the street, or from friends. Sometimes, they already know from the start what the research will result in – a drawing, an installation, a film, or a text. Other times, they don't know. Then, they explore whether the research will reveal its own form, or consider where their own strengths lie:
Priska is particularly skilled at firing earth into extremely solid and unique objects. To do this, however, the right clay must first be found and prepared. Although it would be possible to simply buy clay from a shop, over time this would become monotonous as the discoveries would be missing, and everything would end up looking the same.
The workshop is part of the event series ‘333 Hours Workshop of Wonders’, a project within the framework of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025. This measure is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget adopted by the Saxon State Parliament and by federal funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media as well as by funds from the City of Chemnitz.
