tea +
ceramics
FROM YOUNG YEARS, I LEARNED TO BE ATTENTIVE TO AND APPRECIATE THE QUALITIES OF MATERIAL AND FORM, OBSERVING THIS PARTICULARLY IN THE CARE WITH WHICH UTENSILS ARE SELECTED IN EAST ASIAN TEA PRACTICES. THIS SENSIBILITY UNDERLIES AND INFORMS MY CHOICES IN COLLECTING CERAMIC ART. MOST OF THE WORKS IN MY COLLECTION ARE USED IN MY OWN TEA PRACTICE.
FOR ME, EXPERIENCING BOTH THE VISUAL AND HAPTIC ATTRIBUTES OF CERAMIC ARTWORKS IS THE MOST SATISFYING WAY TO APPRECIATE THIS MEDIUM. TEA DRINKING, ESPECIALLY (BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY) IN THE FORM OF GONGFU CHA, PERFECTLY COMBINES THE PLEASURES OF USING CERAMICs WITH ACT OF PREPARING AND ENJOYING TEA.
Teekunst | 19-20 July | Soazza
the wandering teahouse as a guest of Helga Ritsch
In the heart of Soazza, a village in the Misox valley in Graubünden, a small structure built of stone and wood stands beside the studio of Helga Ritsch. Inspired by the tranquility of its location and the stone hut’s perfect proportions, it was transformed it into a teahouse – a space for solitary reflection and introspection, and a place to share a moment of quiet conversation.
The first tea event held in this unique setting was in the summer of 2020. The Wandering Teahouse returns for a second edition in Soazza this July.
The preparation and serving of the tea reflect principles of East Asian tea ceremony practices – Chinese gongfu cha, Korean darye, and Japanese senchado. In these, regardless of the level of formality, two aspects are of equal importance: the first is the appreciation of tea, made possible by the second, that is, creating the right atmosphere for the experience to unfold. The host designs the setting through a thoughtful selection of tea and tea vessels (as well as other implements) to be used, and in the practiced preparation of the tea. Guests are guided through the tea sitting and follow the cues given by the host. They actively contribute to the shared experience by expressing their comments on the tea, the tea bowls, the tea house, the view… A balanced, harmonious, and complementary exchange between all present completes the tea drinking experience.
Arriving at the teahouse, guests will be welcomed and invited to take a seat inside. The teahouse is small, only three guests may enter at a time. The host will present a small selection of teas. Together, the guests choose one of these to be served. The flavour of the tea develops with each infusion – guests will be offered a second and third infusion (perhaps more, if time permits) to experience the subtle changes in the notes. The tea will be served in tea bowls made by Helga Ritsch for the event.
