Tom at Hutchtel.net on mon 5 nov 07
>
> Form would be hard to verbally contain as it seems to be very subjective
> to each beholder as a piece of sculpture. There might be unspoken
> subliminal
> universal rules like Robin Hopper describes in his book Form and Function.
> But then again, for whatever reason, people are drawn to what pleases
> their
> eyes expressing what is within...don't we?
>
Hi Kim,
I know what you're saying here, but I'm not sure I totally agree. Yes,
verbalizing about form is tough, but it needs to be done, I think. One
needs to be able to discuss balance, proportion, how the artist chooses to
change direction, how the parts relate to each other in the whole, what the
piece references to and is there reference integrity or not, and if not,
why. Certainly touching is a critical part of pottery since it's a 3
dimensional art and because, in many cases it is the only way to determine
the quality of the craft element.
It is an issue of awareness, I think...creativity is essentially born from
awareness. Without awareness, there is no creativity (which implies
intention)...just an assembly of parts. From awareness can come
verbalization.
See my other reply to Gay Judson for more thoughts on this.
Tom Wirt
Hutchinson, MN
twirt@hutchtel.net
www.claycoyote.com
Overall's on mon 5 nov 07
I, too, am enjoying Tony's posts from China even if it is vicariously.
His latest pots are transcending the realm of utilitarian to visual which
is crucial. Mainly for him, but for art collectors in viewing clay's
versatility to just be admired.
I definitely love his new work.
They look ancient and modern at the same time.
The firing sans glazes enhances their forms more than if they
were encased in glass veneers. They look naked and vulnerable with
an undeniable strength. I imagine them to have been held by Prometheus himself.
I feel something of a hack because I've no college degree and
my livelihood is not dependent on what I produce, so my opinion
won't carry much weight in money matters. Clay lives within me
nonetheless and Clayart validates my common traits with other potters.
Form would be hard to verbally contain as it seems to be very subjective
to each beholder as a piece of sculpture. There might be unspoken subliminal
universal rules like Robin Hopper describes in his book Form and Function.
But then again, for whatever reason, people are drawn to what pleases their
eyes expressing what is within...don't we?
Professional potters who make the circuit in workshops are a godsend
even though they are temporarily uprooted from the comfort of their 'homes'.
I'm agreeing with Gay, I learn more from live instruction, observation and hands
on application. The eating, drinking and partying is fun, too!!! Combine the latter with a kiln firing and boy howdy, I'm in heaven. (here is where I get scolded by Mel telling everyone not to be partying when firing. just concentrate on the firing; and he would be right. I'm just speaking in make believe Mel)
Kim Overall
http://www.kimoverall.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/texaspotters/
Lee Love on tue 6 nov 07
On 11/5/07, Tom at Hutchtel.net wrote:
> >
> > Form would be hard to verbally contain as it seems to be very subjective
> > to each beholder as a piece of sculpture. There might be unspoken
> > subliminal
> > universal rules like Robin Hopper describes in his book Form and Function.
> > But then again, for whatever reason, people are drawn to what pleases
> > their
> > eyes expressing what is within...don't we?
> >
>
>
> Hi Kim,
>
> I know what you're saying here, but I'm not sure I totally agree. Yes,
> verbalizing about form is tough, but it needs to be done, I think.
I don't know if the talking about the form is so imporant as
looking. You have to look before you talk (I know, it isn't always
the case, but hopefully!), so if the talking gets you looking more
closely, it has served its purpose.
It is even truer with drawing. The final drawing is not
so important as the "seeing" you have to do to make the drawing.
Most of our looking though out the day is not
seeing. Because we just see the pattern that fits templates in our
minds. Our casual glance matches patterns and dismisses what we are
looking at as "already known." So we don't really see what we are
looking at, but just make it match a habituated pattern in our memory.
Looking at a lot of good work is important. Handling 3D
work is as important as looking at it. What ever helps us do more of
it will help us have a better understanding of our work.
--
Lee in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
"Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by
education." -- Bertrand Russell
Ric Swenson on tue 6 nov 07
Always be an 'observer' of life around you.....an artist/craftsperson must =
always be observing.....the best lesson I ever learned.
=20
Look closely. See what you can at the moment....see more next time.=20
=20
'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' is a concept that really makes sense=
for most people.
=20
IMHO
=20
Ric
=20
=20
"...then fiery expedition be my wing, ..." Wm. Shakespeare, RICHARD III, Ac=
t IV Scene III Richard H. ("Ric") Swenson, Teacher, Office of Internationa=
l Cooperation and Exchange of Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, TaoYang Road, E=
astern Suburb, Jingdezhen City.JiangXi Province, P.R. of China. Postal code=
333001. Mobile/cellular phone :13767818872 +86-0798-8499600 (ofc.) +86-079=
8-8499012 (fax) < RicSwenson0823@hotmail.com>
> Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2007 23:13:44 -0600> From: twirt@HUTCHTEL.NET> Subject: =
Re: Anytown, USA to form> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG> > >> > Form would b=
e hard to verbally contain as it seems to be very subjective> > to each beh=
older as a piece of sculpture. There might be unspoken> > subliminal> > uni=
versal rules like Robin Hopper describes in his book Form and Function.> > =
But then again, for whatever reason, people are drawn to what pleases> > th=
eir> > eyes expressing what is within...don't we?> >> > > Hi Kim,> > I know=
what you're saying here, but I'm not sure I totally agree. Yes,> verbalizi=
ng about form is tough, but it needs to be done, I think. One> needs to be =
able to discuss balance, proportion, how the artist chooses to> change dire=
ction, how the parts relate to each other in the whole, what the> piece ref=
erences to and is there reference integrity or not, and if not,> why. Certa=
inly touching is a critical part of pottery since it's a 3> dimensional art=
and because, in many cases it is the only way to determine> the quality of=
the craft element.> > It is an issue of awareness, I think...creativity is=
essentially born from> awareness. Without awareness, there is no creativit=
y (which implies> intention)...just an assembly of parts. From awareness ca=
n come> verbalization.> > See my other reply to Gay Judson for more thought=
s on this.> > Tom Wirt> Hutchinson, MN> twirt@hutchtel.net> www.claycoyote.=
com> > ____________________________________________________________________=
__________> Clayart members may send postings to: clayart@lsv.ceramics.org>=
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r of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots2@visi.com
_________________________________________________________________
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Get it now.
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6971033=
Lee Love on tue 6 nov 07
On 11/6/07, Ric Swenson wrote:
> Always be an 'observer' of life around you.....an artist/craftsperson must always be observing.....the best lesson I ever learned.
>
> Look closely. See what you can at the moment....see more next time.
When we pay attention, we see more. We break out of our
habitual existence.
> 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' is a concept that really makes sense for
> most people.
There are some aspects of beauty that are universal, because
of the basic laws of the universe, the shape of the eye and the
working of the hand. Beauty has become less important, with the
greater importance of "self expression." But that is a recent
phenomenon.
Art is primarily communication. If you want to
communicate with the most people, across space, time and culture, you
will concentrate on what crosses those boundaries. If you are just
doing "self expression" without valuing communicating with the future
and across cultural boundaries, then developing an understanding of
the universal language of beauty is not so important.
--
Lee in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
"Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by
education." -- Bertrand Russell
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