An interdisciplinary conversation: when our hands meet clay, do we simply shape materials – or do materials also shape the way we think?

What happens when our hands meet clay? Do we simply shape materials – or do materials also shape the way we think, remember and experience the world?

An interdisciplinary conversation bringing together art, archaeology, science and Polish ceramic heritage, featuring:

Alicja Patanowska – artist and designer, Wrocław

Professor Lambros Malafouris – University of Oxford

Dr Joanna Bagniewska – University of Oxford, moderator

and a representative of Bolesławiec ceramics, the Polish town famed for its distinctive hand-stamped pottery

Taking Alicja Patanowska’s The Ripple Effect as a starting point, the conversation will explore making, materials, memory, ceramics and the relationship between people and objects.

Part of Hevelius Project 2026: Stars, Water & Earth, connecting Oxford and Wrocław – Oxford’s twin city in Poland. Organised by Oxford Polish Association, in partnership with IF Oxford, Polish Cultural Institute in London, Bodleian Libraries and the Polish ceramic company Bolesławiec, and Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London.

Ticketing: Pay What You Decide (PWYD)

Event format: PERFORMANCE

Event duration: 1 hour

Age: All ages

Event start: 6pm

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We suggest a donation of £7.50 per person. If even half of IF Oxford's visitors gave that, the charity could plan next year's community science and ideas Festival with confidence. If you decide another amount works better for you, please give that instead — every contribution helps keep the Festival free at the point of entry for everyone who needs it to be — the most important thing is that we can all enjoy a good Festival together, thank you.

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Ages are a guide only, under-16s to be accompanied by a responsible adult.

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if-oxford.com/attendance-policy (https://if-oxford.com/attendance-policy)

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if-oxford.com/donate (https://if-oxford.com/donate)

Description supplied by the event organiser.