Hluch - Kevin A. on mon 1 dec 97
Back at the Avant Guard Potters' Guild studios Alice tilted her
head toward the figure working on a gragantuan bisqued suclpture in the
corner and asked, "What in the world is that guy DOING?"
From their vantage point they could see the artist madly patching
a series of cracks that had fissured the work in a myriad of places.
Gavin knew the artist well and astutely avoided likely conflict by
ushering Alice out of earshot. "He's known as the 'Prince of Putty' in
the studio because of his ability to create art that is always near a
state of total collapse," Gavin whispered.
"But why doesn't he just make things better? I mean, didn't he go
to school to learn ceramics?" Alice asked with a hushed yet bewildered
tone.
"That's just it. He went to one of the best art schools in the
country but they're not interested in HOW things are made. The professors
there just want RESULTS. They teach art, not craft. Don't you understand?
It's the IDEA that's important. It doesn't matter HOW it's done.
And the 'Prince of Putty' is just chock full of IDEAS. I'm sure
you've followed his career...First the wire and shellacked figures, then
the stacked hat totems that were epoxied toghether, then the cracked and
plaster filled heads, hearts and hands. This guy is just RIPPING with
ideas. But like you said, he doesn't hanve a handle on the ceramic
process. That's why he has another alias: 'Master Mender'. If he were
just a little more famous he could just hire out the drudge work like that
glass artist. What's-his-name" Oh Yeah - Billfully. Now HE'S got it
made," Gavin attempted.
With a look of consternation on her face, Alice was forced to ask
another question. "Are you trying to tell me that he went to one of the
most prestigious art schools in the country and can't make ceramics that's
not got tons of defects?"
"Well, that's not quite right Alice. You see, his work, after all
IS masterfully repaired. I mean, for God's sake Alice, they do that in
museums, don't they? Also, as you know, two years is not a particularly
long time to learn everything you need to know about the ceramic process.
And this guy is like ON FIRE in the ceramics world. I mean he's a mover
and a shaker. And besides, he's also into process. To be honest about it
this is what happens in the ceramics process: cracks, cracking
lots of cracks...sometimes really BIG cracks.
And his output, by the way, is AWESOME. No one, and mean no one,
can tell when he's done that his work is bandaged together like a
shrapnelled corpse from Basra. He isn't call the 'Prince of Putty' and
the 'Master Mender' for nothing. After all, that's part of the magic. No
one can tell his work is built like a piece of shit until after they buy
it and take it home. Then, of course, it's too late. Who cares anyway
since he's got a tremendous reputation and everybody loves his work?
Gavin asked sweetly with a pleased smile on his face as he watched Alice's
nicely rounded rear with its own charming chink make its way to the door.
"That may count for you but it seems to me that he ought to ask
that school for his money back," Alice responded.
"Perhaps you're right. Maybe I was a bit too hasty in my
evaluation of his work," said Gavin, obviously responding too quickly.
"Can I get your number and maybe we could discuss this later," he squeaked
as the door quickly swung.
"Kiss my ass," Alice shouted past the slammed door.
After listening to the abrupt silence he thought,"My sentiments
exactly."
Kevin A. Hluch
102 E. 8th St.
Frederick, MD 21701
USA
e-mail: kahluch@umd5.umd.edu
http://www.erols.com/mhluch/mudslinger.html
TMartens on tue 2 dec 97
After leaving the Avant Guard Potters' Guild Alice pondered this
Prince of Putty question till het poor head ached with all the
conundrums. She made a pot of tea in her well thrown. well
constructed T-pot only slightly avant in shape as she *did* want it
to work and was pleased that there were no concealed putty cracks
to leak boiling water all over her not to mention pollute her tea.
Soothed she gave the situation more thought, " While I concede that
cracks lend charm to some ceramics, that indeed they wouldn't be
quite right without the cracks.......to make stuff that would simply
fall apart without mending......well it's just not right. Are the
proffessors to blame? Is it the public for buying the stuff and not
complaining when they get it home and find it slowly disintegrating?"
"Ah" she thought, " they don't want people to scorn them for not
being intelectual enough to appreciate ART. To hell with it I am
going to sleep."
In the morning she decided that she was going to have her own studio
where she could make what she liked and not have that damn Gavin
leering at her butt anymore!
Toni M
| |
|
