Colour and Material studies in porcelain, Cornwall

Cornwall, in the south-west of England, is known for its geology and coastal scenery. Since the High Middle Ages and continuing through development during the Industrial Revolution, tin mining has been important to the English economy. Until the 1990s, there were dozens of mines from which copper, tin and silver were extracted.  But as demand for the metals fell, all the mines were forced to close. As the desire for metal declined, only the porcelain industry remained active. 

The abandoned landscape is littered with the remains of these mines. Piles of tailings, discarded by the original metal industry, form extensive areas of colour that stretch out to touch each other.  And thinking about the value of these colourful piles of material left in the landscape, Kirstie van Noort began her research in the area.

Kirstie van Noort

Graduating from Design Academy Eindhoven (department Man and Well-Being in 2011), Kirstie van Noort runs a design studio in the same city in the Netherlands. 

The Dutch designer and researcher works by documenting the environment and conducting detailed tests and experiments with material samples. Kirstie, through design, can communicate a process or tell the story behind a material.  

Curious to understand more about the origin and production of porcelain, Kirstie spent about a month in Cornwall, where large quantities of clay are extracted each year. 

First visiting Cornwall in 2011, Kirstie began to look in depth at its fascinating history and returned in 2014, which enabled the designer to obtain two hundred kilos of raw material. 

The discarded tailings have since become the basis of a "ceramic paint" suitable for colouring porcelain. The designer and researcher created around 200 earth colours, with shades ranging from pinks to black. 

The scarcity of certain raw materials and excess scrap is one of the main reasons Kirstie believes that it is essential to research (locally) discarded waste or materials. Hence, the main point she addresses in her workshop.

For Kirstie, her research is not about a particular waste but about a way of thinking. 

"How do we deal with the world around us? Where do our materials come from? The mining industry in Cornwall has left a huge footprint (literally) and makes us aware of where raw materials come from. I am grateful that I have found a new application for metal ores and that in this way, I am not dependent on ceramic pigments that are (in some cases) harmful to the environment."

A new chapter for Cornwall

Cornwall witnessed in 2010 the discovery of "globally significant" lithium deposits; a soft, silvery-white metal crucial in battery production and the electric car revolution. 

At present, it is still difficult to draw any conclusions that lithium extraction may have consequences for the site. 

It will, however, affect the local economy. Since lithium is considered the gateway element to a carbon-free future, lithium batteries' global demand shows no signs of slowing down.

So when put into perspective, it's difficult to be clear about the benefits or impact of this extraction. Still, environmental groups are concerned about mining development in the region and its sustainability, even if Cornwall Lithium (and others who have been attracted by the discovery and are responsible for its extraction) claim that they can create more modern lithium mines with less impact on the environment. 

"So I think the discussion now, whether or not to open the lithium mines in Cornwall, is a direct consequence of realising both that we are running out of resources (and the need to change our ways of life, drive electric cars, etc.) and that we need to take more care of our planet and be responsible for our every step. I love making people aware of this by doing what I love – researching and communicating the result of revealing hidden processes/sources by creating products, giving workshops or publishing books."

The importance of Kirstie van Noort's work is defined not only by the beauty of the materials and pieces she creates using waste, but also in the way she opens up discussion and has brought understanding to people through design and our relationship with matter.

More details about this research

COLOUR AND MATERIAL STUDIES IN PORCELAIN

Collection Cornwall

By Kirstie van Noort

Colour and Material studies in porcelain - Collection Cornwall shows over 190 colours and materials that were developed from 62 raw materials extracted from Cornwall soil. This book explores the origins and sources of the materials as well as the applications and colourful diversity that is created by applying them on porcelain.

Info

Kirstie van Noort

https://www.kirstievannoort.com/

Instagram @kirstievannoort

Photography by Xandra van der Eijk & Kirstie van Noort

Kirstie van Noort’s project was made possible by the Creative Industries Fund NL.

Words

Nina Zulian

Editor

Lena Frain-Atallah is a London based Editor and Records Management student. With a History background, she is passionate about publishing works that explore local and marginalized communities. With an eye on the past, Lena is looking to explore ideas of creating a more sustainable way of living for our future. Available for editorial and research-based projects.

Follow Lena on Twitter @LAtalllah and her email address is l.frainatallah@gmail.com.