Alisa and Claus Clausen on thu 2 sep 99
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My first real clay job after university was working as a junior craftsperson=
in
the ceramic studio
at the Metropolitan Museum. I casted zillions of =22Williams=22 the blue =
Egyptian
hippo and
a zillion more terracotta putties for Christmas. (Both still available by
popular demand...)
Even though they were all identical in principle, I never saw that they =
were.
The hippos got decals for their lilly patterned backs, but I painted the =
eyes
and mouths.
Maybe I was poor at what I did, but they had many expressions=21
The putties were only bisqued, but I scraped down and incised the details of
their faces,
hands and feet. No ten toes alike.
I dissagree with David, that there can only be one, to be unique.
Even though the general public buying them in the gift shops saw no =
difference,
I
saw them still individually. Hard to pick out one in a crowd, but non the =
less
different.
I think slip casting is every much deserving as an art form as throwing.
What is the absolute distinction between hobby and art/craft? (Maybe this =
has
long since been a thread before my clayart time). Is it finally the time =
spent
doing
something (hobby, a few hours at one's pleasure, Craft/Art, being many, many
manditory hours due to livelihood needs or personal persuit?
or is it the eventual results
Technically sound versus well, you know, not soo good.? regardless of the =
time
element
Technically sound work made in small amounts over few hours Hobby?
Technically sound work made in production over many hours =
Craft/art?
Technically unsound work made in small amounts over few hours Hobby?
Technically unsound work made in production over many hours Hobby?
I guess I unwittingly decided for myself as a jump start in my thinking,
that craft/art requires both quality and quantity. Maybe I am really wrong.
Because
of course there are many objects that I would personally refer to as =
art/craft,
can are one
of a series of one. I think I would call it still the maker a hobbyist, due =
to
the time factor.
A very talented hobbyist, who I would encourage to make MORE, thus in my =
mind
turning
(elevating status?) him/her into an artist/craftsperson.
Am I wrong, or is there really no right here? Curious if there are =
defintions
or it
is opinion.
Even after you learn a lot and spend a lot time producing,
what if you produce technically unsound work?
Are you hopelessly neither a hobbyist nor an artist/craftsperson?
(Should you change your major quick?)
Alisa thinking again in Denmark
where it is dark now by 9pm. It has been the
most lovely summer. But the dangerous =22fireman=22 jellyfish have invaded =
the
fjord,
and it is no more swimming now. Until it gets really cold and I jump in
January=21
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