The Lost Clay Workshop - Marco Campardo

'The Lost Clay Workshop' by Marco Campardo Studio
21–23 April 2021 – MA Material Futures
Central Saint Martins, London

The Lost Clay was a three-day workshop run for the MA Material Futures at Central Saint Martins, London.

'The Lost Clay Workshop' by Marco Campardo Studio
21–23 April 2021 – MA Material Futures
Central Saint Martins, London

Inspired by the COVID19 lockdown restrictions and limitations, 'The Lost Clay' was a project that seeks to experiment with mould–cast–making by using a low-temperature melting point alloy, to generate unique, one-off objects, with limited equipment and everyday materials.

'The Lost Clay Workshop' by Marco Campardo Studio
21–23 April 2021 – MA Material Futures
Central Saint Martins, London

The project uses the lost-wax casting process, a well-known technique generally used in metalwork to create jewellery or duplicates of small sculptural objects. But instead of wax, clay will be used to create the original piece. Experimenting with this technique, The Lost Clay emphasises the relationship between the original and the copy, the unique object and serial reproduction.

'The Lost Clay Workshop' by Marco Campardo Studio
21–23 April 2021 – MA Material Futures
Central Saint Martins, London

Marco C

The Lost Clay Workshop

The Lost Clay Workshop by Marco Campardo Studio
21–23 April 2021 – MA Material Futures
Central Saint Martins, London

The Lost Clay was a three-day workshop run by Marco Campardo. Inspired by the lockdown restrictions and limitations, The Lost Clay seeks to experiment with mould–cast–making by using a low-temperature melting point alloy, to generate unique, one-off objects, with limited equipment and everyday materials that a student can easily find.

To reveal the final object each mould needs to be broken. This laborious process, therefore, results in a unique final piece – a metal object whose irregular surface with slight imperfections is read as the material trace of its singularity and its process of production. Using clay to make the mould mirrors an organic process of making like that used by ceramicists. This handmade process shapes the perception of the final cast – the metal object is defined by its imperfection, where traces of individual hands craft the unique aspect of the final outcome. The production process determines not only how the final outcome is made, but also its form and appearance.

Developed in this way, in Enzo Mari’s words, the process encourages students and makers to “think with their hands” and experiment with a unique material.

Thanks to Sammi Cherryman for helping me to develop the workshop