The exhibition Pioneering Ceramics at Museum Prinsenhof Delft shows how ceramics remain innovative and relevant throughout the centuries. From the 17th-century heyday of Delftware to the contemporary revaluation of the craft, Pioneering Ceramics juxtaposes masterpieces from the museum collection with work by 23 contemporary makers. This tension between historical and contemporary craftsmanship offers new insights and shows how ceramists pushed boundaries over the centuries. To continue this dialogue outside the exhibition space, we designed a publication that is both a reference work and an autonomous work of art.

The cover of the publication, or dust jacket, is designed with a thoughtful folding technique that seems simple at first, but lends itself to forming many new combinations of historical and contemporary works. The way the cover can be folded creates multiple possible covers, constantly redefining the relationship between past and present.

The publication reflects the thematic layering of the exhibition. Clear typography and subtle colour coding structure the content, while tactile printing techniques allude to the materiality of ceramics. The in-depth essays and research are printed on uncoated paper, while the full-colour images appear on glossy paper, referencing the glazing of ceramics.

More than a catalogue, this publication is an extension of the exhibition. By combining archive images with contemporary photography and essays, it creates a dynamic interaction between past and present. This attention to form and finish makes the book not only informative, but also an object that embodies the craft itself.