Vocation
The International Academy of Ceramics (IAC) is celebrating its 70th
anniversary this year. Founded in 1952 by French diplomat Henri J. Reynaud and housed at the Musée Ariana, it soon surrounded itself with the greatest specialists, the greatest institutions and the greatest artists in the world, such as Picasso, Fontana, Leach, Voulkos and many more.
The Academy obtained UNESCO recognition in 1958. In 1964, its new president, Edgar Pelichet, audaciously chose to favour contemporary creation. His successors, Rudolf Schnyder, Tony Franks, Janet Mansfield, Jacques Kaufmann and Torbjorn Kvasbo have continued in this spirit at the congresses held every two years in many locations worldwide and which are based on interculturalism and fraternity in knowledge.
With 1010 members today and present in 77 countries, the IAC is facing ever-increasing challenges: promoting recognition of its members’ work, cultural diplomacy, ecological constraints... This fascinating history is related chronologically in the twelve showcases around the upper gallery of the Musée Ariana.