Carboniferous

Bachelorarbeit von Yael Raethjens, 2025

An examination of hard coal - as an energy source, a fossil, an object of desire, a force of destruction.
Energy sources are not neutral materials. Each carries it's own practices and aesthetics. Few materials have been as influential to our way of living as fossil fuels. How much of our contemporary culture is directly or indirectly dependent on hard coal?

Along a stove ceramic tiles are displayed, each with an illustration showing a new aspect of hard coal. From fossils of the carboniferous swamp forests through symbols of industrial culture to the drillheads and Excavators destroying entire ecosystems. In light of the quickly growing consumption of hard coal, the installation asks after the associations and emotions we connect with this material.

The tiled stove functions as an object that ties melancholy for an idealized past to the burning of fuels. It is specific to berlin and references a comfortable home. I used porcelaine casting to produce the tiles, the positives were handmade with modeling clay. The tiles are glazed with seladon green, which reminded me of art nouveau stoves and which contrasts with the industrial motives on the tiles.

Begleitet von

Prof. Gabi Schillig
Prof. Dr. Kathrin Peters
Prof. Henning Wagenbreth