The arts of cartography and ceramics are not as disparate as they might appear at first glance. Both work with the surface of the ground: the former records landmarks and selects elements to represent them to scale; the latter selects elements from the surface to combine and transform them into vessels or sculptures. For ceramicist Loraine Rutt, taking the physical surface of the earth and making scale models of our planet therefore seemed a natural progression.
Furthering this idea of decontextualising ceramics from their usual scale, Rutt has also made collaborations in the field of architecture. An example of this synergy between craftsmanship and industrial production is his design work for the façade of the Mapleton Crescent building, together with the Metropolitan Workshop studio.
For this commission, Rutt developed a unique blue-green terracotta cladding that responds to the tranquil Wandle River from three different profiles, which crown the building and give a transformative sense of depth to the façade. In addition, the perception of the colour of the earthenware varies according to the time of day. In direct sunlight it is green, and in low light it produces a reflective blue-green appearance that reveals the textures of the terracotta with greater impact.
