FROM MIND TO MOLD

Weeks ago, Illac called me up to set a schedule to document a component of a project he is working on. I was to head to a pottery studio north of Quezon City, to observe the brainstorming and design of the receptacle for Liter of Light’s solar lamps.

I arrive at Odang Putik Pottery Studio, the art space of Ianna Engano, a prime mover of functional ceramics. A small but smart studio where every area has a purpose.

Why pottery? The project at hand calls for the solar lamps to be encased in something locally made, a local craft if you may. Pottery came into the picture, a local art form that is a work of not just one artist, but of a collective.

The design went through numerous prototypes before finalizing on the handshake, a symbol of connection from one Filipino to another. Since this project is in collaboration with a corporate entity, you will notice fingerprints of the brand in the design and color. Can you guess?

Once the design is done and approved, a strategy is discussed for it’s mass production, more than 3000 pieces needs to be made for the project.