The History of Ceramics: From the pottery studio of Homo Sapiens to that of the industrialized world

Where, when, and why did humans start manufacturing ceramic pots and vessels? What was the status of potters in near and far cultures? We will examine the central place of ceramics in humble and spectacular architecture, describe technological innovations in ceramics, and look at the stormy artistic dialogue between East and West. We will explore the connections between ceramics and the invention of writing, and between ceramics and the traditions of tea, coffee, and cacao drinking, and porcelain and gold manufacturing. Finally, we will see how traditional pottery became factory production, and how from the factory, the artist's studio was born.