Part of the Language

摘要

When I visited the Carlin Gallery in November 2002, the Parisian ceramic world was buzzing with the news that Pierre Bayle had just won the Prix Liliane Bettancourt Pour l'Intelligence de la Main. Robert Deblander and Hakguiko (a Japanese ceramist, sculptor, architect who has lived in France for over twenty-five years) each won prizes of distinction. The title of the prize means, literally, 'the Liliane Bettancourt prize for the intelligence of the hand.' Translated in this way it makes a striking image. He prize was inaugurated in 1999 for the different disciplines within the applied arts and, like the Jerwood Applied Arts Prize in the UK, rotates each year and at this time it was dedicated to ceramics. Contemporary ceramics in France is developing a more visible platform and the launch of the prize, together with Pierre Bayle's success, will help to enhance it further and raise public awareness.