About the Event

Since the 16th century, when Sen no Rikyū laid the foundations of the tea ceremony in Japan, objects have never been mere accessories. A chawan held in the hands, a mizusashi resting in silence, a gently murmuring kettle… each utensil takes part in the experience, sustains attention, guides the gesture, and opens a space of presence.

Even today, those who practice tea know how deeply the material, weight, texture, and form of a bowl or teapot influence the tasting. Yet beyond aesthetics and touch, a quieter question arises: what do we truly know about the vessels we use every day?

This gathering offers a clear, calm, and rigorous perspective on everyday ceramics. Joëlle Swanet, Professor of Ceramic Technology at ENSAV La Cambre and member of the International Academy of Ceramics, shares the results of her research on the migration of chemical elements from glazes into food and…