This morning, a delegation from the World Association of Brick Artists, led by Robert Harrison, Gwen Heeney and Ulla Viotti, visited the facilities of Bòbila Aguilera to observe the craftsmanship involved in the artisanal building work we carry out. During the visit, they also invited us to take part in the upcoming Congress and Assembly of the International Academy of Ceramics, which will be held in Barcelona from 12 to 16 September 2016.
This congress, now celebrating its 47th edition, is conceived as a space for meeting, study, and debate among around 300 academics from all over the world. It is organised by the Associació de Ceramistes de Catalunya and the International Academy of Ceramics itself. This year, it is co-organised by the Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat de Catalunya (CCAM and the Department of Culture), with the collaboration of other public institutions, museums, associations, art galleries, and companies. This represents broad political, social, and cultural support that guarantees the excellence and success of this important international ceramic event.
During the visit, the delegation showed great interest in the artisanal processes used by Bòbila Aguilera to create its distinctive handmade bricks, toves and tiles, and highlighted the way we preserve this millennia-old craft, of which only just over two examples remain across the whole of Catalonia, Bòbila Aguilera being one of them.
At the end of the visit, the three representatives presented us with a book created by WABA (World Association of Brick Artists) about the last Simposium i Exhibició hosted by the Catherinesminde Brickworks Museum between 2011 and 2013. They also invited us to take part in the upcoming Congress, where they plan to showcase artistic works created using unique pieces from Bòbila Aguilera.
It was truly an honour and a pleasure to enjoy such a remarkable visit with renowned artists from the worlds of architecture and craftsmanship, which once again proves that traditional craft is back in vogue.
