12 February 2015

Traditional pottery compared to our brand new 3D printers. The BBC takes a look at both branches of art form, to learn more from the experts in this field.

Traditional pottery compared to our brand new 3D printers. The BBC takes a look at both branches of art form, to learn more from the experts in this field.

Our Visiting Professor and Jeweller, Mark Bloomfield at the University of Hertfordshire compares the art of 3D printing against traditional pottery design.

Ceramics is an ancient, global art form, whose fundamentals have not changed for centuries. 3D printing on the other hand, has only been around for a couple of decades - but has attracted a wave of artists and craftspeople.

But should we think of 3D printing as a new branch of arts and crafts? Does it have any right to be considered a craft at all?

When asked the question, Geoff Kenward, Chair of the London Potters Association, made the case for traditional pottery, while getting his hands wet on clay at the Scola Centre in South London.

Meanwhile Mark Bloomfield extolled the virtues of 3D printing, from his studio shop in London's Oxo Tower.