Vibrations and ceramics, how does Rinke turn this into art?

Why should you read this article?

• You will learn about an art form that is not yet well known as art.
• You get to know Rinke, her work, and how she makes art.
• You gain insights into Rinke's creative process.
• You can read about how Rinke found her passion. Are you also searching? Read more!

Who are you?

Rinke Joosten, owner of Studio Rinke.

What are you doing?

I am a ceramist and designer. From my studio, I help external artists and designers in realizing their concepts, with a specialization in ceramics. I also work on my own designs and I have my own line of ceramic products.

Who is your source of inspiration and why?

There are many people who inspire me from different disciplines, but if I had to choose someone, it would be Isabelle Andriessen.

Her work is incredibly impressive and makes me realize that the dividing line between art, design, and chemistry is very thin.

What was your first creative activity?

When I think back to my childhood I really liked building cabins. Set up from old planks and pallets that I then tied together by means of screws and rope.

What did you do to find out that your passion lies with ceramics?

Strangely enough, it was a very unplanned choice. All my life I wanted to be a veterinarian (assistant) only during an internship at secondary school I found out that blood and surgical procedures on animals are not for me.

After this insight, I made a list of all the possibilities that seemed interesting to me and then went to the open days of these different studies. When I came to a study where you could learn various crafts, including ceramics, I was sold. After my first orientation year, I continued with ceramics. Ceramic is a beautiful material that is sometimes very difficult to fathom. The challenge involved makes it a great material to work with, especially as it is a material that has been part of our lives for centuries.

What about ceramics ensures that you have the energy to create continuously?

Ceramic is a material in which you can lose yourself again and again. I still learn so much every day because working with ceramics has different facets; firing, casting, mold making, etc.

What makes your creations so unique?

Working with surprising material combinations and devising interventions for existing production techniques is something that is reflected in my work. I like the unexpected processes that are not linked together so quickly.

(An example of this is Visual Vibration)

About Visual Vibration:

The whole project is driven by the central question; How can I make a connection between mass production and craftsmanship with my design? Visual Vibration bridges the gap between craftsmanship and mass production. Each piece is unique because I used one mold for all the different designs and discovered a new way to produce ceramics. The technique I use for this is a vibration plate that partially 'collapses' the artwork through the vibrations. This creates beautiful smooth lines that follow the different hertz frequencies.

Can you briefly explain what the process looks like behind your 'final product?'

Wherever I go, I always take my dummy with me. This book is full of ideas, quick sketches and questions that I ask myself when I am busy with my creative processes in daily life but also when I come across something that I find interesting. My dummy always helps me visualize my thoughts to possibly fall back on later.

Once I have a project or idea I always start sketching, making mind maps and creating mock-ups.

This is followed by making prototypes and developing newer variants in order to arrive at a final product. I keep everything in my dummy with notes, findings and process photos.

Insight into Rinke's dummy

Who is your perfect customer?

Someone who sees me as I am, curious and exploring new possibilities within my professional field. Someone who is close to themselves and is touched by what a designer like me creates.

What kind of life do they have?

They may be people who are open to new possibilities within the design world. People who are fascinated by designers or artists who teach them to look at everything around them in a different way.

In which environment do your creations come to life?

In someone's household, where that person thinks it will thrive. A place where a work of mine belongs, as if it has always been there.

What does your creation do to someone who buys it?

I hope that people will admire my work and that it will encourage them to try new creative things. That people see that there are many more possibilities to do something than you initially think.

What lessons learned do you still implement in your creative life on a daily basis?

That a material has its own way, which makes it difficult to steer it. Have patience and let yourself be surprised by the possibilities. You always find a way to make it work.

Where are your creations for sale?

You can buy my work through my website and through my Instagram page. At the moment I work a lot on commission and when I have time on my own line. I would love to sell my work more externally to companies that match my vision.