Ceramics |
|
First broadcast date
01/15/2007
Abstract
Ceramics is an artistic expression that reflects the lifestyle of civilizations.
Ali Ould Ramoul is a ceramist who has always been interested in working with clay and has shown his knowledge in this field since he was young.
In his studio, he shares his passion for a profession he studied in France and later taught in Algeria.
Broadcaster
EPTV - Canal Algérie
Audiovisual form
Magazine
Primary theme
Art, Culture and Knowledge
Map locations
- Algeria - Centre - Algiers
Context
Ceramic
Philippe Jockey
This brief report about a contemporary Algerian ceramics workshop installed in Medea since 1978 reminds us of how ceramics are still an authentic artisanal art in the eyes of many,, determined by a certain set of characteristics mentioned by the interviewed artisan during the report. The first characteristic is the dual transmission of this artisanal knowhow from father to son at an early age and master and disciple, recalled in the saying “a true master of ceramics”. The love the artisan has for his job is at the core of the discussion reported by the commentator. The second characteristic is the copies of already existing works in the apprenticeship of shapes, patterns and movements. The artisan then discusses the process of making his vases, from the choice of clay to the last decorating touch with his brush. Cooking methods and temperatures are a core element of his art. An ancient technique, though unnamed, is thoroughly described –the stencil method. It is an old method, used as early as during the middle ages in mural paintings or for the decoration of manuscripts. It is also present early on in ceramics art but has been long gone since. Its advantage is how it allows the necessary precision to reproduce complex patterns, be they floral, geometric or other by artisans that are not expert drawers. The patterns to be reproduced are drawn on the vase using a pencil and an overlay drawing then the outline is pierced out with a small needle. This stencil is then placed on the vase and then dabbed with a small cloth pouch filled with powdered coal. The pattern is thus printed on the vase and the artisan just needs to go over it with the proper paint. The mention of one of this ceramics artist’s favorite colors, cobalt blue, a costly royal color and the mention of its use in Persia are highly interesting. They remind us that the simple choice of color determines a tradition as shown in the Delft and Sevres ceramic wares, which have lent their names to two shades of blue.
Algerian TV celebrated this remarkable production characterized by the thorough care given to it by artisans is no chance incident. The artisanal art of ceramics is a durable one and its artists fall into a tradition that spans centuries, which can only contribute to stronger feelings of belonging to one community, one State. This identity passes through the respect of common heritage values. Indeed, ceramics art is one privileged and important part of the celebration of “the richness and grandeur of [our] beautiful country, Algeria”, to quote the commentator.
Bibliography :
François Delamare, Bernard Guineau, Les matériaux de la couleur, Paris, Gallimard, « Découvertes », 1999.
Nicole Blondel, Céramique, vocabulaire technique, Monum, éditions du Patrimoine, 2001.
