Clays from Maipo: Material and Identity Exploration for Contemporary Local Ceramics

This article presents research conducted by the authors at
Taller Cerámicas Grof between 2022 and 2023, exploring the use of natural clays from the Maipo basin for contemporary high-temperature ceramics. Through a collaborative and interdisciplinary process, various clay samples were collected, processed, and incorporated into clay bodies and glazes. The research focuses on the relationship between the territory and the identity of local ceramics, questioning the dependence on imported materials and proposing an approach that fosters the connection with the environment inherent in the pottery tradition. The article is structured on three levels: recognition of the territory, recognition of the practices of urban ceramicists, and experimental methodology in the workshop. Finally, a method for using the collected clays is proposed, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and valuing local resources as an integral part of ceramic practice.