In the year 2020 Lost Embrace gained new relevance as the work embodies the present absence of physical contact. Especially now, in the disturbing times of the Corona virus and the compulsory 1.5 m society, limited physical contact is the new reality. But still, the craving for human touch, or "skin hunger", has never been more prevalent.
Lost Embrace is a man-sized porcelain vase glazed with a greenish white jade-enamel in the Jingdezhen Qingbai style, produced in Jingdezhen, the porcelain capital of China due to its longstanding history of high quality earthenware production. Schlegel embraced the vase during the production process when the clay was still wet, a loving gesture that interfered with the delicate process and the pursuit of perfection, and left behind traces of the human touch.
All images copyright © Kathrin Schlegel; photo credits: Kathrin Schlegel, Roel Backaert, Q.R.J van Dijk
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Lost Embrace