Path Seekers 问道中国④｜高岭古道：瓷艺匠心 传承创新

  French ceramic artist Camille Grandaty has been living in Jingdezhen, China, for nearly a decade. She would learn ceramic-making techniques with local masters and regularly meet with ceramic artists from around the world. Over the years, she established her own studio, developing a creative style that blends Eastern and Western artistic elements.

  Despite her extensive practice and study, one might assume Camille fully understands the intricacies of Chinese ceramics. However, she admits to feeling a "distance" from the craft due to cultural differences. Fascinated by the origins of ancient Chinese ceramic-making techniques and the secrets behind Jingdezhens status as the worlds ceramic capital for over 1,000 years, Camille is eager to deepen her understanding of this remarkable tradition.

  This summer, she joined the Path Seekers, together with Gong Liang, honorary director of the Nanjing Museum. They embarked on a journey along the ancient Kaolin Road, located about 50 kilometers east of Jingdezhen. Gong highlighted the historical significance of this seemingly modest route, which once served as a vital artery for transporting Kaolin clay-the key ingredient in porcelain production. The advanced "Binary Formulations Approach", which involves mixing Kaolin clay with porcelain stone, played a pivotal role in Jingdezhens emergence as a global ceramic hub for over a millennium.

  Each step along the ancient road brought new insights. The team explored mining sites, historic streets, and ancient docks, as well as kilns, porcelain factories, and museums. At the museums, Camille discovered the profound cultural exchange between Eastern and Western civilizations through the intricate designs of "export porcelain". During a visit to a young ceramic artists studio, she admired how traditional craftsmanship seamlessly integrates with modern design concepts. Inspired by these experiences, Camille and Gong collaborated to create a blue-and-white porcelain bowl, which they named Yuanfen-a Chinese term meaning "destiny" or "special connection".

  Transporting Kaolin was just one step forward in refining raw materials. The dedication of craftsmen who spend their entire lives mastering a single craft-an inheritance of skill and spirit-is truly the soul of Chinese porcelain. Amid the bustling crowds of Taoxichuan at dusk, where history and modernity converge, Camille reflected on her journey. Through Path Seekers, she gained a deeper appreciation of the art form and the country she has called home for the past ten years.

  今年，是法国陶瓷艺术家开弥（Camille Grandaty）在江西景德镇生活的第十年。在这里，开弥跟着当地老师傅切磋瓷艺，与中外年轻陶艺师定期聚会，她也慢慢建立了自己的工作室，创作风格主打一个中西合璧。

  十年里，总觉得对中国瓷再熟悉不过了，但是开弥依然觉得“隔”。

  隔在哪里？隔在文化的那一层。“我做瓷，但不知道中国古代制瓷最厉害的技艺从哪儿来？为什么景德镇能成为千年瓷都？一直上手做，但更想深入了解精髓。”

  今年夏天，开弥跟随“Path Seekers 问道中国”徒步小组，与南京博物院名誉院长龚良先生一起，来到景德镇以东约50公里处的高岭古道。龚良先生告诉她，不要小看这短短几公里的古道，当年，它是运送高岭土的重要通道；不要小看高岭土，那可是制瓷的关键原料，正是高岭土和瓷石混合配比“二元配方”的进步，加速成就了“千年瓷都”。

  从古道出发，移步换景，走过矿区、古街、古码头，走进窑厂、瓷厂、博物馆，在色彩独特的“外销瓷”展品里了解东西方文明的交流互鉴，在年轻陶艺家的工作室欣赏传统工艺与现代设计的“牵手”，开弥与龚良先生兴致所至，合作完成青花瓷碗手工画坯，起名“缘分”。

  高岭土的运送只是实现原料的进阶，而“一辈子只做一件事”的匠心与传承，可谓中国瓷的灵魂。夜幕下的陶溪川，人潮涌动，古老又年轻，随着“问道”之旅的不断深入，开弥对生活了十年的这个国家有了更深刻的理解。