Visit to the «Saga Ceramics Research Laboratory»

On August 3rd we visited the Saga Prefecture Ceramic Research Laboratory in Japan.

We did so accompanied by Professor Katsuki Hiroaki of Kyushu University , former director of the center, a doctor in ceramic materials engineering—to whom we are very grateful for the opportunity—and guided by the center's director, Furuta Sachiko , a doctor in engineering, we toured the facilities. We were able to see some of the projects that had been developed in previous years, some closely related to craftsmanship and the preservation of knowledge, but others involved cutting-edge technology, such as batteries, catalysts, or the development of new materials.

Located in Arita, one of the world's leading ceramics industries, this public institution serves Japanese industries and artisans in this field. Its origins date back to May 1916 and it has since adapted, expanded, and grown in scope. Its six main functions are: 1) research and development, 2) technical support, 3) commercial support, 4) human resource development, 5) promoting cooperation, and 6) information dissemination.

Currently, and in relation to the fifth function mentioned above, it also offers space to international artists to develop projects, as is the case with the Dutch artist Simone Post at the moment.

Thanks to this opportunity, we learned a lot—especially about the way of working, something Japanese people excel at—we discovered opportunities, and, most importantly, we met wonderful people. We are very grateful to them for opening their doors to us.