Topo's

Porcelain topological surfaces

Ruth van Eck-Rotholz

The thin porcelain Topo's continues my search to find the natural, smooth, continuous double curvature with its own defining contour. Its' form is created by making a fabric tent structure suspended within scaffolding. This resulting topological surface, a smooth landscape of valleys and peaks, captures the light in its flowing form. Its central oculus allows a glimmer of light within its cast shadows.

These porcelain Topo's are not possible to create with the wheel, with hand building, or with plaster molds. Instead, I create for each form a unique fabric tent structure that eventually burns away. Fired at 1255° Celsius, the porcelain becomes extremely hard, while yet seems fragile and delicate.