The IAC/AIC Conference in Geneva Switzerland from Sept 11 - Sept 20, 2022.

This September, I participated in the International Academy of Ceramics (AIC/IAC) 50th congress, "Melting Pot", in the field of ceramics today and will discus questions of identity and interaction from Sept. 12-20, 2022, held in the International Conference Center (CICG), Geneva, Switzerland. We were altogether around 300 people from 77 countries. The International Academy of Ceramics is the principal organization representing the interests of ceramists worldwide.

The 5-day program will consist of professional and academic lectures given by specialists in various fields related to the theme, debate sessions, the opening night of the international exhibition at the Ariana Museum, inaugurations and visits to exhibitions.

Fountain in the Lac Leman in Geneva.

The “L’ecole des Arts Decoratifs” the ceramic direction I attended for 2 years in Geneva. It’s now called ”Haute Ecole des Arts Decoratifs”.

The “Mont Blanc” from across the lake.

New members announcement on a tv screen.

The first two days were filled with keynote and member lectures.
On the first night, there were three exhibition openings at the Ariana Museum , the only museum in Switzerland devoted entirely to kilncraft and so filled with worldwide ceramics and glass. Along with some excellent conference presentations, we enjoyed festivities in this museum.
On the second night we visited galleries and museum in the heart of Geneva’s Old Town.

Inside the Ariana Museum.

Opening of the exhibition in the Ariana Museum.

At the Ariana Museum.

A beautiful plate at the Arian Museum.

I received my acceptance diploma: a welcome as a new member in the IAC/AIC.

On Wednesday the General Assembly was held with a visit to the Palais des Nations (United Nations) in the afternoon with two exhibition openings. In the evening it was UNESCO night.

Visiting the United Nations.

Plate exposition at the United Nations.

The United Nations: 179 flags/nations.

Installation exposition at the United Nations.

General Assembly.

Broken Leg Chair in front of United Nations symbolizing both fragility and strength, imbalance and stability, violence and dignity.

The next day we had a bus excursion. It included the opening reception of the 1st half of the exhibition of, "Melting Pot: National SwissCeramics", at the Museum of Art and History of Neuchâtel (MahN). Then, a guided tour at La Ferme des Tilleuls, Renens: “Materia”. Finally, the exhibition opening at the Château de Nyon: “Melting Pot: Swissceramics National Exhibition” (2nd part) with dinner at the chateau. The view from the chateau was spectacular.

Inside hall staircase MahN Museum.

Opening exposition at Mahn Museum.

One of the many art works.

Aline Favre: She was my teacher at the L’ecole des Arts Decoratifs and many more art works.

Artist Danielle.

La Ferme des Tilleuls: artist Danielle.

One of many artworks: Art work from Claudia at the chateau.

View from the Chateau de Nyon.

Many teapots from one artist.

We had round table discussions on Friday morning and the afternoon was free to visit galleries.
The closing dinner of the 50th IAC Congress at the Institut Florimont on Friday evening was a huge success: well attended with good food and dancing.

All day Saturday many galleries throughout the city, especially Carouge, exhibited a variety of ceramics with receptions with exhibition openings that various groups visited on a walking tours. Overall, there were more than 30 exhibitions in national and private museums, art galleries and historical or contemporary institutions.

One art work I liked at one of the expositions at Carouge.

One art work I liked at one of the expositions at Carouge.

One art work I liked at one of the expositions at Carouge.

“Bling Bling” exposition at Carouge: Zuckerberg, Musk, Bezos by Stephanie.

“Bling, Bling” Exposition

“Bling Bling” exposition at Carouge: Shamai

“Bling Bling” exposition at Carouge

On Monday, Sept. 19, there was an all day excursion provided by SwissCeramics. It included 25 people, who took advantage of the opportunity to visit outside Geneva. We visited museums and galleries in Yverdons-les Bains and Prangins, plus enjoyed a delightful lunch and dinner together.

I had a great time and was glad to be back in Switzerland after 45 years. It was wonderful to see many ceramist friends from around the world.

On our way to Neuchatel.

Chateau d’Echandens, the village in lived in.

On our way.

Acceptance into the International Academy of Ceramics

I'm accepted into the IAC:

"It is our great pleasure and honor to announce that your application has been accepted. We welcome you as a new Member of the International Academy of Ceramics. We congratulate you on this achievement which rewards your passion for ceramics."

I feel thankful for all my supporters and jurors in helping me become a member of the IAC.

The IAC has its headquarters in Geneva. It was founded in 1952. It connects artists in the field of ceramics, designers, galleries in 74 countries across all continents.

The goal of the IAC is to stimulate friendship and communication between professionals in the field of ceramics in all countries. The IAC develops and encourages all forms of international cooperation to promote ceramics and to encourage and maintain production at the highest level of quality in all ceramic cultures.

I studied there for my ceramics for a couple of years in 1981 at the school Les Arts Decoratifs: 40 years ago! Next year, it will be the 70th anniversary and 50th congress of the organization and so it is wonderful to go back there and be part of the exhibition and the conference!

October 4 Visiting tour day in Taipei

First , we did go to the National Palace Museum in Taipei. A huge museum with of course lots of ceramic art.

Yixing ware with painted enamels, 15th year of the Daoguang reign 1835.

Yixing ware with painted enamels, 15th year of the Daoguang reign 1835.

Red dragons in “Wucai” polychrome enamels, Qing Dynasty 1662 - 1722.

Red dragons in “Wucai” polychrome enamels, Qing Dynasty 1662 - 1722.

Jade ewer with lotus-style handle, Ming Dynasty, 1463 - 1644 C.E.

Jade ewer with lotus-style handle, Ming Dynasty, 1463 - 1644 C.E.

We had a delicious lunch after which we went to the Beitou Hot Spring Museum. A beautiful Japanese bath house. It was built in 1911 during the Japanese rule of Taiwan. After the handover to China it had several uses. In 1998 it was totally renovated into a historical site.

Then we went to the Dalongdong Baoan Temple, a Taiwanese Folk religion temple. The site was built from 1805-1830 and is now a Cultural Heritage site.There are so many decorations!! Just incredible!

Decoration on top of the temple gate.

Decoration on top of the temple gate.

Holy watch dog.

Holy watch dog.

Many holy stories.

Many holy stories.

Scene of holy story.

Scene of holy story.

The inner temple.

The inner temple.

The dragon signifies strength, power and good luck.

The dragon signifies strength, power and good luck.

The holy tiger, the king of all beasts and represents powerful energy.

The holy tiger, the king of all beasts and represents powerful energy.

48th International Academy of Ceramics in Taiwan.

Today September 30, 2018 is the opening of the 48th International Academy of Ceramics in Taiwan.
I flew there yesterday straight from Amsterdam.

I met already some friends.
The conference was opened by the Mayor of Taipei City.
Then the Director of the National Museum of History Liao, Hsin-tien gave the keynote speech about that art can express better what is difficult to say in words: West wind blowing to the East: The “Re-Orientalization”.

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Conference logo

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Introduction by Mayor of Taipei City

Discussion about the topic of the conference with the president of the IAC Jaques Kaufmann.

Discussion about the topic of the conference with the president of the IAC Jaques Kaufmann.

Explanation of the conference.

Explanation of the conference.

In the afternoon we went to the city Yingge where they have the Yingge Ceramics Museum. It showed the wonderful works of the member of the AIC. The museum’s permanent collection showed the history of ceramics in Taiwan. Then we walked through the ceramics park with many ceramic works to the building where they offer the residency program and saw the great studios and spaces where you can do your research work for about 2 months.

Member art work by Shamai Gibsh.

Member art work by Shamai Gibsh.

Artwork in Yingge Ceramic Park.

Artwork in Yingge Ceramic Park.

Explanation of the Member exhibition of the IAC at the Yingge Ceramics Art Museum and Center.

Explanation of the Member exhibition of the IAC at the Yingge Ceramics Art Museum and Center.

Opening ceremonie in the evening of the IAC Conference.

Opening ceremonie in the evening of the IAC Conference.

In the evening we had a great party and the IAC new member ceremony.


Day 2 started with 2 special lectures.
The 1st one was a discussion with 2 famous artist Yasuo Hayashi and Yang Yuan-tai during which there was a slide show from their works.
The 2nd lecture was by Nara Yoshitomo about his artworks: painting and clay.

Talk with Yasuo Hayashi and Nara Yoshitomo.

Talk with Yasuo Hayashi and Nara Yoshitomo.

The exposition at the National Taiwan University of Arts.

The exposition at the National Taiwan University of Arts.

Beautiful forest artwork.

Beautiful forest artwork.

A beautiful porcelain vessel.

A beautiful porcelain vessel.

Another beautiful artwork.

Another beautiful artwork.

In the afternoon we did go to the National Taiwan University of Arts where they had a created a special exhibition from Taiwanese artist for our conference. It was beautiful.

After that we drove to the Farglory Museum with the Golden Teapot Exhibition. So many teapots: so interesting and beautiful.

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Evelyne Schoenmann’s teapot! Congratulations!

Evelyne Schoenmann’s teapot! Congratulations!

Love this teapot.

Love this teapot.

Another nice teapot.

Another nice teapot.