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this month's cm

updated sun 6 jun 99

 

carrie or peter jacobson on fri 4 jun 99

OK, two items: First of all, did anyone see in the personals: Attractive,
athletic, kind potter/designer/teacher seeking ...etc., signed Stephen
Jepsen? Why does this seem unlikely to me? Why does it seem someone might
be perpetrating a practical joke?

On to the more pertinent question. One of the articles early in the mag is
about a japanese potter Ryoji Koie. In the article, the writer mentions
that Koie moved from Tokoname to some isolated mountaintop, because he
wanted to escape the pressures of being such a well-known potter.

I just don't get it. I don't get what about his work is appealing. I don't
understand this in the least. And yes, I am the person who was ranting
about the boring quality of art shows these days. So I look at this article
and at these pots and just wonder.

Can someone explain to me why these pots are so wonderful?

Or are we all just being taken for a ride?

Carrie


Carrie Jacobson
Pawcatuck, CT
mailto:jacobson@brainiac.com

Parri Gignac on sat 5 jun 99

Carrie,

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with the same take on both topics.
For the Koie pieces - it's rather like watching pro golf and seeing
someone duff a shot; leaves me thinking, "Gee - even I can play like
that!" However, I am willing to be open minded enough to listen and hear
just why the pieces presented are held in such high reverence. It might
make for some lively discussion.

One more topic that jumped out at me were the letters in response to the
previous month's commentary by John Britt on Leach. I was surprised that
none responded to his statement that "If utility were the first principle,
then the highest ceramic expression would be the toilet..." This comment
struck me on the funny bone, recalling back to Duchamp's urinal exhibited
in 1917. So....we've already been there - and before Leach. So _now_
what?

Parri Gignac

parri@internet1.net


>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> OK, two items: First of all, did anyone see in the personals: Attractive,
> athletic, kind potter/designer/teacher seeking ...etc., signed Stephen
> Jepsen? Why does this seem unlikely to me? Why does it seem someone might
> be perpetrating a practical joke?
>
> On to the more pertinent question. One of the articles early in the mag is
> about a japanese potter Ryoji Koie. In the article, the writer mentions
> that Koie moved from Tokoname to some isolated mountaintop, because he
> wanted to escape the pressures of being such a well-known potter.
>
> I just don't get it. I don't get what about his work is appealing. I don't
> understand this in the least. And yes, I am the person who was ranting
> about the boring quality of art shows these days. So I look at this article
> and at these pots and just wonder.
>
> Can someone explain to me why these pots are so wonderful?
>
> Or are we all just being taken for a ride?
>
> Carrie
>
>
> Carrie Jacobson
> Pawcatuck, CT
> mailto:jacobson@brainiac.com
>