Clay Corpus

The special project curated by American artist Theaster Gates tackles inequalities from the standpoint of lost and found craftsmanship and aims to transform the space of Ettore Sottsass’s Casa Lana into a research facility dedicated to a vast collection of Japanese ceramics from the town of Tokoname, known for its ancient pottery traditions. The collection, called the Koide Collection, is named after Yoshihiro Koide, a Japanese potter whose artisanal legacy is at risk due to the lack of heirs. The exhibition explores the history and the decline of this craftsmanship, as well as its resurgence in the contemporary art world. Miniatures and large figures from the collection are presented, along with bronze casts of everyday objects, which are displayed throughout the space.