Virtual Pattern-Throwing

Focusing on ceramic practices, the question for this exhibition has been how and where traditional craft-based knowledge, rooted in skills and experience of making three-dimensional objects, can meet and inform novel ceramic processes that utilise VR.
This question have been explored through experiments using Oculus Rift in the 3D sculpting environment Oculus Medium. The shape of a vessel was chosen as a frame for exploration and experimentation.
The first exploration of VR by Oculus Medium identified the virtual wheel as a tool and common ground for experimentation because of its similarity with the traditional wheel for throwing clay.
During the exploration of the virtual wheel, a drawn 3D shape was used to build up a vessel-like shape. The technique is named pattern-throwing. The quality of crafting by this technique is based on its ability to combine throwing and making patterns while building up the vessel. In general, these patterns are characterised by vertical ornamental shapes that makes up a relief. These vertical ornamental shapes differ from the pattern of the horizontal lines seen from the 3D clay print technique and the horizontal grooves coming from fingers or tools when throwing in clay.
Several experiments were completed by this technique, and interesting references to traditional craft-based knowledge, rooted in skills and experience, have been identified.