Jonathan Kaplan on sun 28 mar 99
I had attempted to stay out of this current discussion because it has be
hashed over time and time again ad nauseum both on this list and in many
publications. I'll try to be brief, even though it is hard for me to
refrain from being overly wordy.
The issue of ram pressing, slip casting, and jiggering really to me are
non-issues. Has been, currently is, and always will be. Just because you
have any or all of the aforementioned assited technologies does not
guarantee that the wares you produce are well designed or for that matter
even well made. Potters think that if 'I need to make more stuff, I'll get
a press or a jigger or learn to slip cast. " Sure you can get all these
toys and still make poorly designed and executed pots. In and of
themselves, these assisted technologies are mute if the care and diligence
before hand in the design of the work is over looked. And in most cases, it
is overlooked. We are tempted by the ease of producing in volumes. ANyone
who thinks that using these methods is easy is in for quite a shock.
I'll submit that most potters I know while they may be good potters, they
are rather poor designers. This is an understatement, I'll rephrase it .
Most potters make I know make good sound pots. Most potters are very poor
designers. In the workshops I do concerning assited technologies, I ask
participants to draw an actual cross section of a piece they wish to make.
Very few of them can make this transition. The transition from designing by
fiat, so to speak on the wheel with an idea visualized in our heads, and
the designing with pencil and paper. Each is a valid wayof working, no
better or no worse. We make choices how we wish to produce our wares. There
is a trend towards "luddite thinking" in our small pottery community that I
think is very unhealthy.
Anyone who thinks that, in my case, my pressed ware, cased ware, and
jiggered ware, is not honest work, and the only honest work and the way to
produce it is by throwing is suffering from myopia. I'll be glad to place
and of my wares next to any thrown or slab constructed ones to debate the
efficacy or honesty of the work at any time.
I think the most abused assisted technology is the potters wheel, not the
press, the jigger, or the casting equipment.
Poorly designed and/or ill conceived work no matter how it is made is still
poor work.
I think that this subject needs to be put to rest and we need to stop
whinning and getting defensive and just go to work. I've got pots to make.
Finally, anyone who does not acknowledge that there are many ways of
working with clay, and any one of these is no better or no worse.They are
"just ways of working" . I certainly would not want to be one that suffers
from such a narrow minded and biased point of view.
I'll stop here.
Jonathan
Jonathan Kaplan, president
Ceramic Design Group LTD/Production Services
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs CO 80477
plant location
1280 13th Street Unit 13
Steamboat Springs CO 80487
(970) 879-9139 voice and fax
jonathan@csn.net
http://www.sni.net/ceramicdesign/
Ed Kraft on sat 3 apr 99
Jonathan
That was a great defense of your working methods. The issue you didn't
address is whether your method of production is stated in such a way that
the person on the street knows that it isn't hand made pottery. honesty is
all I ask for.
Ed Kraft
eartharr@msn.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Kaplan
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Sunday, March 28, 1999 10:20 AM
Subject: Handmade...handthrown...handwhatever....
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I had attempted to stay out of this current discussion because it has be
hashed over time and time again ad nauseum both on this list and in many
publications. I'll try to be brief, even though it is hard for me to
refrain from being overly wordy.
The issue of ram pressing, slip casting, and jiggering really to me are
non-issues. Has been, currently is, and always will be. Just because you
have any or all of the aforementioned assited technologies does not
guarantee that the wares you produce are well designed or for that matter
even well made. Potters think that if 'I need to make more stuff, I'll get
a press or a jigger or learn to slip cast. " Sure you can get all these
toys and still make poorly designed and executed pots. In and of
themselves, these assisted technologies are mute if the care and diligence
before hand in the design of the work is over looked. And in most cases, it
is overlooked. We are tempted by the ease of producing in volumes. ANyone
who thinks that using these methods is easy is in for quite a shock.
I'll submit that most potters I know while they may be good potters, they
are rather poor designers. This is an understatement, I'll rephrase it .
Most potters make I know make good sound pots. Most potters are very poor
designers. In the workshops I do concerning assited technologies, I ask
participants to draw an actual cross section of a piece they wish to make.
Very few of them can make this transition. The transition from designing by
fiat, so to speak on the wheel with an idea visualized in our heads, and
the designing with pencil and paper. Each is a valid wayof working, no
better or no worse. We make choices how we wish to produce our wares. There
is a trend towards "luddite thinking" in our small pottery community that I
think is very unhealthy.
Anyone who thinks that, in my case, my pressed ware, cased ware, and
jiggered ware, is not honest work, and the only honest work and the way to
produce it is by throwing is suffering from myopia. I'll be glad to place
and of my wares next to any thrown or slab constructed ones to debate the
efficacy or honesty of the work at any time.
I think the most abused assisted technology is the potters wheel, not the
press, the jigger, or the casting equipment.
Poorly designed and/or ill conceived work no matter how it is made is still
poor work.
I think that this subject needs to be put to rest and we need to stop
whinning and getting defensive and just go to work. I've got pots to make.
Finally, anyone who does not acknowledge that there are many ways of
working with clay, and any one of these is no better or no worse.They are
"just ways of working" . I certainly would not want to be one that suffers
from such a narrow minded and biased point of view.
I'll stop here.
Jonathan
Jonathan Kaplan, president
Ceramic Design Group LTD/Production Services
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs CO 80477
plant location
1280 13th Street Unit 13
Steamboat Springs CO 80487
(970) 879-9139 voice and fax
jonathan@csn.net
http://www.sni.net/ceramicdesign/
Jonathan Kaplan on mon 5 apr 99
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Jonathan
>
>That was a great defense of your working methods. The issue you didn't
>address is whether your method of production is stated in such a way that
>the person on the street knows that it isn't hand made pottery. honesty is
>all I ask for.
>
>Ed Kraft
>eartharr@msn.com
Thanks for your comments Ed.
In fact, I have never, in my many years as a potter, ever tried to hide or
put out dis-information regarding what I make. I pride myself on my honesty
and straighforwardness.
If asked how these are made, my reply is that they are designed and
prototyped by me, and then made on a jigger, cast or press. If necessary,
parts are added such as handles. They are trimmed and finished, waxed and
glazed by hand. I have never encountered any negative reaction to honesty.
I provide my whoesale accounts with the same information. ASgain, there has
never been any negative reaction or lost sales.
I also make a practice of not undercutting the price of those who totally
handmade their wares.
My work is priced competatively.
Again, I appreciate your comments.
Take care
Jonathan
Jonathan Kaplan, president
Ceramic Design Group LTd/Production Services
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
(970) 879-9139 voice and fax
http://www.sni.net/ceramicdesign
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