barbara lund on sat 14 mar 98
I'm off on March 27 on a whirlwind tour of Holland and Belgium. Mostly
Amsterdam and area and Brugge and Brussels. Does anyone know of any museums
that house collections of old functional ware? When I was in London 3 years
ago, I was in heaven in the attic-like-can't get there from here- Victoria
and Albert collection. Vernacular old pots are my facination. thanks for
any suggestions
other Barb in Bloomington
Russel Fouts on mon 16 mar 98
Barb,
>> I'm off on March 27 on a whirlwind tour of Holland and Belgium. Mostly
Amsterdam and area and Brugge and Brussels. Does anyone know of any museums
that house collections of old functional ware? When I was in London 3 years
ago, I was in heaven in the attic-like-can't get there from here- Victoria
and Albert collection. Vernacular old pots are my facination. thanks for
any suggestions <<
It's really hard to beat the V&A (and most museums in the UK) for pots and
decorative arts. My dream is to set up residence there (not London, just the
V&A).
If you can make it to Paris you should visit the National Ceramics Museum at
Sevres (take the metro to Ponte de Sevres and walk across the river on said
ponte to the museum on the right), it's the closest thing I've found to the
pottery collections of the V&A. There is slso the Museum of Decorative Arts
and several other galleries . Also check out the Mitsukoshi Center at
Etoile.
The Museum of Decorative Arts in Gent usually has good shows and their
collection in the new wing is pretty good.
Brugges, I have to admit that as many times as I've been there, I have NEVER
set foot in a museum of any kind. Wandering around the old city is far and
away enough for me.
Brussels has a lot to offer in other areas, it's one of the birthplaces of
Art Nouveau, there's a Major retrospective of Magritte (surrealism) on at
the moment (with lots of other surrealist events going on as well) , THE
best place in the world for Chocolate, artisanal beers and comic books (we
have an international center and museum for them). But I have to admit that
Brussels doesn't have a lot to offer in the way of ceramics. The Studio
Ceramics gallery at the Royal Museum of Art & History has been closed for
several years due to low staffing. You can probably get in if you arrange it
before hand. They do have some nice collections of ancient pottery and glass
but nothing to compare with the V&A and Sevres. There are a few small
galleries as well like Osiris that show pots (you should check first they
show other art as well.)
Of course, you could always come by and visit me if you had the time, we
could talk pots and sample some of the other delights of Brussels.
Russel
Russel Fouts
Mes Potes & Mes Pots
Brussels, Belgium
32 2 223 02 75
Http://users.skynet.be/russel.fouts
Http://www.japan-net.or.jp/~iwcat
MBnews on thu 19 mar 98
I was in Amsterdam for just one day last month. Jet lagged, I refused to take
a restorative nap but chose for my one outing the Van Gogh museum. It was to
my mind the most engrossing museum visit (outside the V&A perhaps) I have ever
had. Only two pots in the place but wow, what I learned. If you are at all
interested in painting and Japanese printmaking traditions, you really should
put this on your list.
I might also recommend the Koan Float hotel in Amsterdam. It is at 321
Herengracht. It is listed in the Eye Witness Travel Guide for Amsterdam. I'm
sorry I don't have the number handy, but can get it if you are interested and
stumped. If you have ever wanted to try one of those floating in warm salty
water baths with or without massage, this looks like the place. The prices
are quite reasonable for what you get and with or without this pampering it is
an ordinary, comfortable, friendly hotel with a good breakfast. Also, and
most importantly, an easy walk to everything. They have some work in their
display case by local potters as well. So if you decide to splurge a little,
this might be the place.
We also had one of the best dinners ever at an Italian restaurant around the
corner. The Vasso, 12-14 Rozenboomsteeg. If someone in your group likes rich
tastes in food and it is available, order the chestnut soup and pass it
around. A spoonful was enough for me but it was one of the best things I ever
put in my mouth. My husband lapped it up and is still talking about it.
Well, I am beginning to sound like a travel writer. By the way, I am usually
a lurker or reply individually as I (a) don't have anything new to add to most
discussions and/or and most importantly (b) am unsure how to make a "post"
correctly. My other two attempts have caused extra work for our kind
moderators. So, thought I would use this opportunity to make the plunge and
try again.
I am just setting out on a glaze adventure, seeking an oil spot that works for
me and also working on shinos. I have had a shino I depended on for years but
in my current firing situation it is carbon trapping like crazy. I take this
as the lovely gift it is, but I want the alternative of that warm buttery
finish I love and so am testing away. Already have two quite lovely
results...again not what I am looking for...but more interesting. Now I have
a carbon trap and orange peel. Still no warm and buttery, but hey! So, I
will write all this up soon and share, assuming I have worked out the posting
thing.
Mary Beth Bishop
MBBishop00@aol.com
| |
|
