Jonathan Kaplan on sun 4 apr 99
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I gues I have to weigh in here with my 2.5 cents adjusted for inflation.
>I think there is a middle ground between the purists who just use the
>traditional "folk arts" techniques for making pottery and those who
>legitimize using any technology available.
> First of all most of us if not all were trained in a college or university
>
> "ART" department. I assume the reason for this was to round out our degree
>with some hands on materials training combined with traditional aesthetics.
I think that many subscribers on this list were not trained in colleges or
universities and are self taught, with perhaps an evening class or a
workshop included.
> Secondly, money can be made from these folk art techniques so people who
>are in the business of making pots from folk art techniques have their own
>following and markets.
Agreed, I would also posit that there are also many other techniques rooted
in the folk art tradition that can be used as well. The issue of
"ligitimizing those techniques that are available" implies that they are
not ligitimate or valid in the first place. I don't think that the
Egyptians need to ligitimze the use of core molds for glass working, or
those cultures from the northwest coast of Peru (Moche, etc) needed to
ligitimize their use of press molding. Why do those of us who use assisted
technologies feel a need to ligitimze them?
I don't, never have, or never will. They are as ligitimate as all the
others: throwing, slabbing, pinching, and on and on.
> Thirdly, good pots aren't just good design (with all due respects to
>Jonathan). This isn't the Bauhaus anymore. Our goal isn't just to make
>good pots for the market.
Good pots are a sum total of intent, technique, DESIGN, execution,
experience, and much more.
If we take "design" out of what we make, we have a poorly designed pot. It
may be made exquisitly, but if for instance, that spout of the teapot is
position too low or its edge designed too thick, it won't pour well, will
drip, and the pot can't be filled to its maximum. Design is everywhere in
what we do, from making tables, to ware carts, burners, brushes, racks and
to making pots. We can approach it intellecturally (Bauhaus) or emotionally
by designing work in our heads and then letting the materials and wheel (in
this case) work their magic and then see what happens. You know, the "AH
HA!" experience.
Our goals may include making good pots for the market. Our goals need to
include this as well as making pots for ourselves and of expressing and
revealing parts of ourselves through our work.
Thanks for the opportunity to respond to your well thought out post!
Respectfully
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/
| |
|
