French ceramic artist Camille Grandaty has been living in Jingdezhen, China, for nearly a decade. She would learn ceramic-making techniques with local masters and regularly meet with ceramic artists from around the world. Over the years, she established her own studio, developing a creative style that blends Eastern and Western artistic elements.
Despite her extensive practice and study, one might assume Camille fully understands the intricacies of Chinese ceramics. However, she admits to feeling a "distance" from the craft due to cultural differences. Fascinated by the origins of ancient Chinese ceramic-making techniques and the secrets behind Jingdezhen's status as the world's ceramic capital for over 1,000 years, Camille is eager to deepen her understanding of this remarkable tradition.
This summer, she joined the Path Seekers, together with Gong Liang, honorary director of the Nanjing Museum. They embarked on a journey along the ancient Kaolin Road, located about 50 kilometers east of Jingdezhen. Gong highlighted the historical significance of this seemingly modest route, which once served as a vital artery for transporting Kaolin clay-the key ingredient in porcelain production. The advanced "Binary Formulations Approach", which involves mixing Kaolin clay with porcelain stone, played a pivotal role in Jingdezhen's emergence as a global ceramic hub for over a millennium.
Each step along the ancient road brought new insights. The team explored mining sites, historic streets, and ancient docks, as well as kilns, porcelain factories, and museums. At the museums, Camille discovered the profound cultural exchange between Eastern and Western civilizations through the intricate designs of "export porcelain". During a visit to a young ceramic artist's studio, she admired how traditional craftsmanship seamlessly integrates with modern design concepts. Inspired by these experiences, Camille and Gong collaborated to create a blue-and-white porcelain bowl, which they named Yuanfen-a Chinese term meaning "destiny" or "special connection".
Transporting Kaolin was just one step forward in refining raw materials. The dedication of craftsmen who spend their entire lives mastering a single craft-an inheritance of skill and spirit-is truly the soul of Chinese porcelain. Amid the bustling crowds of Taoxichuan at dusk, where history and modernity converge, Camille reflected on her journey. Through Path Seekers, she gained a deeper appreciation of the art form and the country she has called home for the past ten years.
今年，是法國陶瓷藝術家開彌（Camille Grandaty）在江西景德鎮生活的第十年。在這里，開彌跟著當地老師傅切磋瓷藝，與中外年輕陶藝師定期聚會，她也慢慢建立了自己的工作室，創作風格主打一個中西合璧。
十年里，總覺得對中國瓷再熟悉不過了，但是開彌依然覺得“隔”。
隔在哪里？隔在文化的那一層?！拔易龃?，但不知道中國古代制瓷最厲害的技藝從哪兒來？為什么景德鎮能成為千年瓷都？一直上手做，但更想深入了解精髓。”
今年夏天，開彌跟隨“Path Seekers 問道中國”徒步小組，與南京博物院名譽院長龔良先生一起，來到景德鎮以東約50公里處的高嶺古道。龔良先生告訴她，不要小看這短短幾公里的古道，當年，它是運送高嶺土的重要通道；不要小看高嶺土，那可是制瓷的關鍵原料，正是高嶺土和瓷石混合配比“二元配方”的進步，加速成就了“千年瓷都”。
從古道出發，移步換景，走過礦區、古街、古碼頭，走進窯廠、瓷廠、博物館，在色彩獨特的“外銷瓷”展品里了解東西方文明的交流互鑒，在年輕陶藝家的工作室欣賞傳統工藝與現代設計的“牽手”，開彌與龔良先生興致所至，合作完成青花瓷碗手工畫坯，起名“緣分”。
高嶺土的運送只是實現原料的進階，而“一輩子只做一件事”的匠心與傳承，可謂中國瓷的靈魂。夜幕下的陶溪川，人潮涌動，古老又年輕，隨著“問道”之旅的不斷深入，開彌對生活了十年的這個國家有了更深刻的理解。
總制片Chief Producers / 楊力群Yang Liqun 雙傳學Shuang Chuanxue
總策劃Chief Planners / 顧雷鳴Gu Leiming 劉偉Liu Wei
總監制Line Producer / 傅晴Fu Qing
總統籌Chief Coordinator / 沈崢嶸Shen Zhengrong
統籌Coordinators / 包聞軍Bao Wenjun 王乃毅Wang Naiyi
制作Creators / 劉瀏Liu Liu 陳澄Chen Cheng 朱娜Zhu Na 錢盈盈Qian Yingying 陳雨薇Chen Yuwei 王瑞楓Wang Ruifeng
美編Art Editor / 張迪Zhang Di
