Collaboration with Arie Syarifuddin,
Jatiwangi art Factory (ID)
and Atelier NL (NL)
Indonesia was the largest Dutch colony. Eating local clay there is a cultural tradition. A number of clays from various former colonies are available on the market in the Netherlands. None of them originates from the Dutch ground. As a response to Indonesian eatable clay, we investigated the possibility of eating local clay in the Netherlands. Inspired by the wine tasting circle, we tried clay samples from all over the country and recorded our experiences. Also, chemical analysis of the clays was conducted. This research resulted in an interactive installation. Visitors could review properties of various clays, taste them and contribute with their feedback.
Koert van Mensvoort, Ambassador of Dutch Design Week 2015:
"We also talk about the work around mineral analysis and soil as food by Ari Syarifuddin and locals such as Masha Ru and Atelier NL, and whether people are losing their connection to the land or if we can revive it. “I’ve tasted some of the raw material myself. Later it was explained to me that this is still being developed into something more … palatable. (laughs) Let’s not forget, soil is so important for all our food. These artists are short-cutting: ‘I’m not using the soil to grow vegetables or graze animals on it; I’m going to turn it into cookies!’. As an artwork it’s quite effective and profound; they are offering people this experience of directly consuming the soil.”
Arie Syarifuddin:
"We are collaborating with independent artist, Masha Ru, and ceramist, Lonny van Ryswyck, from Atelier NL. The core of our collaboration starts with clay, which is related to issues linking to the earth, soil, dirt, land, and ground. I call this movement ‘Claynialism’. This is an effort to re-design ‘clay’ with all its particularities as a ‘cool yet humble identity’, especially for youth. This project is not an effort to occupy land or region; rather, it is a collaborative effort between districts and countries."
Age of Wonderland Process, Lorenzo Gerbi:
“Arie is very interested in the material aspect, testing and tasting different edible clays with his two buddies: Lonny van Ryswick, from Atelier-NL, an Eindhoven-based design studio which as a strong focus on clay not just as material but as an identity sign; Masha Ru, artist based in Amsterdam, who worked in her previous project with edible clay. In his first days in Netherlands, Arie went to Amsterdam for a tasting session with Masha: they associated 13 kinds of different edible clays with just as many familiar tastes, to explore the possibility of it as an ingredient / material to make objects to be eaten (for example cups of tea). Once in Eindhoven, they met with the scientist Noortje Reeuwijk at the Dutch Food and Goods Authority (Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit), to learn more about chemicals that could contaminate clays.”
We make money not art, Regine:
“Together with designer Lonny van Ryswick and artist Masha Ru, Arie experimented with various types of edible clay and classified them according to their taste and material qualities. The goal was to explore clay as both a cooking ingredient and a material that can be used to make objects that can be eaten instead of being discarded. They made tea cup. You can pour liquid inside it and when you’re done, you simply eat the clay cup.
The project also aimed to give the clay some dignity. By making us eat something we associate with dirt, the artist invites us to (re)connect with our soils.”
Dutch Design Week 2015, Baltan LaboratoriesPresentation by Dr. Noortje M. Reeuwijk, senior inspector at Netherlands Food Authority
ELLE Decore
zoomin.tv
Arts ThreadThe project was realised within Age of Wonderland, a social innovation program by Hivos, Baltan Laboratories and Dutch Design Week addressing the intertwined and complex issues around our global food system. Curated by Arne Hendriks.
