blacktouch by Yap Hock Heng from singapore

Blacktouch – the black sheep that outshines the rest.

There are two extreme kind of pottery forming techniques, namely handwork and slip-casting. Handwork possesses the most individuality and no two pieces are alike. This exquisiteness is a draw for handwork products. However, due to commercialization, this artistry is lost to mass manufacturing, where slip-casting is used. Companies need to do things fast and uniform. Due to the use of moulds, any piece that is not consistent will be seen as a defect rather than as an exquisite work. So how can we produce ceramics products in which every piece is unique and moulded by a human hand, just like in the past, while retaining the competitiveness of the modern industry?

My proposal is the blacktouch series of ceramics products. An example in the series is the blacktouch plate. Firstly, mass produced plates are formed using moulds through slip-casting but when they are left to fettle, a human hand will knead the side of the plates to create a sensuous curved grip. As a result, each plate will have a different curve and an unique look. By purposely creating a defect on every piece, they are once again uniform but exquisite! A person will also have a better grip when holding the plate as it is shaped by a human hand.

The blacktouch series aims to create individual pieces that are aesthetically pleasing, commercially viable and distinctively functional.