Autonomous Design, Jury's feedback

Clémentine presents a set up that seems simple at first glance. She is welcoming the jury and spectators to gather on a round woolen carpet. A video is shown that documents the making of a ceramic oven. A joyful participatory project that she carried out with fellow students. The video explains her interest in heat and fire as a transformative culture producing process. A workbook expands the subject by combining historic facts and fictions, imagery that was found online and other elements in a unity in which temperature is the editorial principle.

Clémentine shows her skills in conveying curiosity and conviviality. The work is a creative expression of her personal artistic vision and it demonstrates an original line of thinking and acting in relation to contemporary dynamics and discourse around artisanal production, alternative community building and the revalidation of historical and traditional application of natural processes as a source of inspiration, creation, transformation. As such it is a valuable addition to contemporary movements in the field of art and design.

The jury values the works' great sensitivity for integrating the spectator. The choice for understated esthetics and avoiding a theatrical setting is an asset. Clémentine embodies a process-based approach that does not allow for enclosure into a 'piece' but thrives on openness and accessibility.

The jury admires the deep research she has conducted, and the fact that this is not limited only to a phase leading up to the production of the work, but is an important and integral part of the final presentation.

The structure of the book, organized around rising temperatures, conveys a deep reflection on the entwinement between the chemical and the cultural. It is at once an intellectually exciting piece and one that leaves much room open to the viewer’s imagination thanks to the vitality of its aesthetics (beautiful assemblage of pictures, stimulating texts). Also, the barbecue was awesome.

Raising excitement is a recurring element in Clémentines work attitude, i.e: the excitement of our togetherness, the excitement we find in acknowledging the elementary forces of nature. And it is also with excitement that the jury perceived Clémentine's work. One major question remains. What is the appropriate context in which this type of work is best shown?

The jury thinks that Clémentines work is demanding and evoking new dispositives for perception. A rare quality.

Jury Bruynseraede de Witte Prize

Clémentine Vaultier presents a process based work with the title 'Mud Max' that focuses on heat and fire as a culture producing, trans-formative, energy. She designed a warm welcoming carpet that invites participants to discover historic facts and fictions around togetherness and fire which she collected in a book that is central to the work. Clémentine embodies a process based approach that thrives on openness and accessibility.

The jury highly values this joyful participatory project. It shows great sensitivity for creating togetherness, and skills in co-creation, using group situations as a creative pulse, and integrating the spectator in the work. The deliberate choice for understated aesthetics and avoidance of an overly dramatic setting are great assets. A continuous production of tools, objects and research are integrated in the creative process. The jury is curious for the future development of the work and which place it will generate for itself and others in the cultural field.