KOEN MOERENHOUT
Phore was born out of a passionate collaborative fusion, sharing artisanal practices between the worlds of sculpture and ceramics.
Drawing on my expertise in creating molds for casting sculpture, we began crafting molds for ceramics to produce photophores; interior decorative ceramics designed to illuminate and transform a space.
What started, however, as a shared exploration has since evolved into a dedicated solo project investigating the temporal, broken, and transient nature of form and its relations. The name Phore finds its roots in the Ancient Greek phoros(φόρος) and the verb pherein (φέρειν), meaning "to bear" or "to carry."
While initially only photophores were made, I wanted to expand the meaning and scope of this endeavour. Phore as a suffix remained. Using custom-made casting molds, I create a foundation that is subsequently transformed through perforation. By piercing the surface, I create intricate patterns that play with light and shadow. This process pushes the material and form to their limits and introduces a captivating fragility; the solid form is broken open, resulting in pieces that are as delicate and vulnerable as they are unique. Each object becomes a bearer, a metaphor—some even touched by dysphoria.
The result is a collection of "carriers" that embrace structural fragility, transforming the "errors" that occur during the process of making. In the transition from liquid clay to fired stoneware, the material often speaks for itself. Rather than hiding these 'flaws', I choose to honor them. Cracks are transformed into character, inviting the viewer to contemplate the fine line between a minor error and a moment of unintended beauty. These marks are not flaws, but signatures of the process—reminders of the intense heat and tension the object has endured. Each piece is a study in delicacy, a fragile lace-like structure that "carries" darkness or light through its many openings.
Every Phore creation possesses a dual identity, shifting its character with the light of the day:
In Daylight: The object stands as a sculpture. The focus lies on the tactile quality of matter and form, and the visual rhythm of the perforated patterns. It is a silent, elegant presence in the interior.
In Darkness: When the sun sets and a candle is lit within, the object truly comes alive. It transforms into a literal "light-bearer" or photophore. The perforations project dancing shadows and intricate patterns onto the surroundings, turning these vessels into a warm, glowing form that hopefully carries some intent.
