Ceramic tiles painted with particulates

In the project ‘Dutch Skies’, the communicative possibilities of air pollution particulates as a raw material for ceramic glaze are explored further.

In a residency at the well known ceramic factory of Royal Tichelaar the knowledge of this invention is combined with the age-old craft of the decorative Delftware, one of the legacies of Tichelaar. Design and tradition are united in the creation of a new series of tiles, depicting a ‘skyscape’. Painted with air pollution.

The concept is developed with sparringpartner Jeroen Koolhaas. In the process the Dutch tradition of Dutch Skies was studied. One of the paintings of Jan van Goyen inspired the team. In his view of the Haarlemmermeer he painted the lake in 1646, that was created by ‘stabbing’ the peat. Two ages later the same lake was drained, creating room for urban developments, like the construction of Schiphol airport. Many stories about air and air quality come together.

A small prototype is presented at the Dutch Design Week 2022 in Eindhoven. Bigger compositions can be custom made, ideally for spaces where it contributes to the debate and change towards a cleaner air quality.