This course offers an introduction to Kurinuki, a Japanese shaping technique closely aligned with the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic and philosophy. It emphasizes spontaneity of movement, the acceptance of imperfection, and the uniqueness of each piece created.
Participants will be invited to explore this sculptural approach to ceramics: starting with a simple block of clay, the outer shape is created by removing material, before the interior is hollowed out, revealing the piece's inner space.
While the final appearance may seem raw, the process is slow, meditative, and deeply intuitive. It allows for a new, almost introspective, approach to the material. Kurinuki thus becomes much more than a technique: it is a sensory experience that connects gesture, clay, and a form of self-awareness.

At the end of the training, the intern will be able to:

• Understand the different states of clay: identify the medium used in the training
• Understand the plasticity of clay and the specific properties of high-temperature clays
• Understand the concept of external and internal volume on paper and applied to a block of clay
• Identify and use sculpting tools
• Understand the different stages of sculpting based on drying
• Hollow out and close a piece according to its shape

During this course, pieces cannot be fired (unless they can be picked up on site or carpooled).

Kurinuki is an ancestral Japanese technique that involves carving an interior space into a solid block of clay, bypassing traditional throwing or assembly methods. Closer to sculpture than to classic pottery, this age-old technique gives rise to a wide variety of objects: bowls, vases, bottles, and even abstract sculptures.

This process invites an intimate dialogue between the interior and exterior of the form. Each piece is shaped from a single piece, revealing the layers and textures of the clay while preserving the spontaneity of the gesture. The glazes take on a particular dimension, depositing themselves uniquely in the hollows, edges, and irregular surfaces.

To try Kurinuki is to discover the full expressive richness of the raw material. Each object becomes a miniature landscape, shaped by hand and fire. For centuries, this approach has inspired potters and artists in Japan, and today appeals to audiences far beyond its borders.

Day 1

Morning

• Welcome and roundtable discussion with speakers
• Introduction to the work of artists using this technique
• Theoretical and practical introduction to the conditions of high-temperature clays and their specificities

Afternoon

• Work on the gesture through warming up and stretching
• Concept of exterior and interior volume on paper
• Preparation of the clay blocks

Day 2

Morning

• Work on the gesture through warming up and stretching
• Development of the individual project: sculpture on different blocks

Afternoon

• Continuation of the individual project

Day 3

Morning

• Continuation of the individual project

Afternoon

• Production of engobes and application to individual pieces

Day 4

Morning

• Individual feedback
• Drying of the pieces
• Development of the group project

Afternoon

• Continuation of the group project

Day 5

Morning

• Finalization of the group project
• Group feedback
• Discussion of the individual pieces
• Drying of the group pieces

Afternoon

• Kilning and Cooking
• Collective feedback at the end of the training
• Workshop cleanup

Claudia Cauville

Located in the heart of Paris's 11th arrondissement, Claudia Cauville has been developing a unique ceramics practice in her studio for several years. Halfway between craftsmanship and design, her work explores the forms of furniture, vases, and abstract sculpture. Her creations, designed as families of forms, strive to create a dialogue between volumes and textures, in a subtle interplay of layered glazes.
Since 2019, she has collaborated with architects to create custom furniture.

Trained at the prestigious Central Saint Martins in London, she developed her skills alongside Ariane Prin, Stuart Carey, and Silo Studio. She then completed her studies with a Master's degree in Luxury and Craftsmanship at ÉCAL (Lausanne), confirming her commitment to a demanding approach to materials and techniques. Returning to Paris, she joined the studios of India Mahdavi and Hermès, before launching her own independent venture.
Her pieces are now exhibited at Volume Ceramics, Galerie Suzan, and Pamono, demonstrating her growing influence on the international contemporary ceramics scene.

• Work in a ceramic workshop
• Small tools, materials and ceramic equipment (provided)
• Plant and mineral material library provided and enriched on site
• Specialized documentation, beautiful books and ceramic pieces (for consultation)
• Individual and collective experiments supported by technical and theoretical supervision
• Exchanges, interactions between participants based on sharing and mutual assistance in production

• Applied theory: theoretical contribution illustrated by a demonstration, individual exercises
• Regular self-assessment through practical applications and discussion times
• Design a personal project: learning is born from experimentation and needs
• A collective experience situation (at 2/3 of the training) allowing consolidation and enrichment of learning
• Collective restitution: experience report at the end of the course
• Sign-in sheet per half-day
• Certificate of achievement issued by MaNa campus