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china

updated sun 22 jul 07

 

Sheldon Bieber on wed 3 nov 99

Hello,
Is anyone aware of a good tour group to China? Does anyione know af
a tour that specializes in pottery? Thank you.
Shelly

Brenda Phillips on fri 3 feb 06


I am going on a China tour. Can anyone recommend pottery sites to visit? =
=20

Thanks,
Brenda

Elizabeth Priddy on sat 4 feb 06


China is a really big place.
You need to be much more specific.

I have been there but only a small part of it.

E


Brenda Phillips wrote:
I am going on a China tour. Can anyone recommend pottery sites to visit?

Thanks,
Brenda

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Elizabeth Priddy

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Dave Finkelnburg on sat 4 feb 06


Brenda,
Where will you be? There's too much to mention. The Shanghei Museum and the Forbidden City, both the museum of ceramics there (not as well displayed but very comprehensive) plus the murals and other architectural ceramics are must-see if you visit those cities. The now-rebuilt portion of the Great Wall is made of fired brick... Lots of ancient kiln sites to see, now developed as tourist sites with displays, archeological research activities, etc near cities like Hangzhou....too much....
Guangzhen "Po" Zhou has written a travel guide. I have a copy at home, not with me. You might want to e-mail him...see his website, Chineseclayart.com, and ask if he has that available.
Good traveling!
Dave Finkelnburg

Brenda Phillips wrote:
I am going on a China tour. Can anyone recommend pottery sites to visit?

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Brenda Phillips on sat 4 feb 06


Bejing, Xi'an, Chongquing Wuhan, Shanghai, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Hong Kong
are the cities that we plan to visit in China.
Thanks, Brenda
----- Original Message -----
From: "Elizabeth Priddy"
To:
Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2006 12:53 PM
Subject: Re: China


> China is a really big place.
> You need to be much more specific.
>
> I have been there but only a small part of it.
>
> E
>
>
> Brenda Phillips wrote:
> I am going on a China tour. Can anyone recommend pottery sites to visit?
>
> Thanks,
> Brenda
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
>
> Elizabeth Priddy
>
> Beaufort, NC - USA
> http://www.elizabethpriddy.com
>
> ---------------------------------
> Relax. Yahoo! Mail virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses!
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>

Kate Daly on sun 5 feb 06


I just returned from China on Tuesday last. Fantastic trip. There's a
great Pottery Gallery and Center in Shanghai which offers a residency
through NCECA with another location in Hong Kong. I picked up a tour book
which listed all the Ceramic Sites in China and Taiwan. The museum
collections in Shanghai and Beijing are great as well but as as quality as
the following. The book was loaded with fairly accurate info.

However the best was the Yingee Ceramic Museum in Yingee not far from
Taipei. It's a state of the art 3 floor museum that rivals anything I've
witnessed in the US. Certainly more thorough than Seagroves modest museum.
There are over 2,000 ceramic businesses. Many are now commericial and
industrial but there's a main street entirely studios and businesses.

Ceramics are everwhere from historical to cultural to commercial to
contemporary but the country is so humugous that it really takes tenacity
to tour on ones own. Best of luck and save lots of room in your bags for
the return! Kate

Kate Daly on sun 5 feb 06


. . . found additional info for you http://ceramics.com.hk/welcome.htm
Caroline Cheng is the founder and ceramic artist of The Pottery Workshop.
She is great! Hope that helps.

Elizabeth Priddy on sun 5 feb 06


In beijing

the summer palace where the whole walkway is
covered with tile as are many of the overhangs. Over a mile
of tile covered surfaces and mosaic inlay squares to walk
on.

In the emporor's palace, keep your eye low as you walk
around, the air and water duct covers are beautiful pierced
clay sculpted tile.

The clock museum has fantastic ceramic work, worth
seeing even if you don't like clocks.

the national museum is the repository for sung and T'ang
brush painted vases

the mueum gift shop just off of Tianmen square has very
affordable teapots that are astounding in quality.

And go to the Hu'tong on your own and just look around,
(daytime, I wouldn't really recommend this at night)
the environment is rich with atmosphere of times past and
architectural details at the edges of the rooftops. Small clay
and carved stone figures guard the four corners of dwellings
extending out of the gutter work of each house and structure.
Keep your eye up to see them.

And go to Liu Liu Liang street to shop. It is the art supply
concentration of shops. For books, brushes, paper, anything
you would want to make something with.

E





Brenda Phillips wrote:
Bejing,

Elizabeth Priddy

Beaufort, NC - USA
http://www.elizabethpriddy.com

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Elizabeth Priddy on sun 5 feb 06


I had a weird thing happen on the way back. My suitcases
were randomly checked at customs. And when he got to a
large suitcase obviously manufactured in china, has asked
what was in it and was it mine.

Well it was mine, but I bought it off the street for 8 bucks to
have a way to get my paper stash home. I said it was full of
paper. He looked incredulous, and demanded I open it. And there
it was a 3 x 4 foot case on wheels filled with paper for brush
painting. Nothing but paper.

That is the paper I keep for serious work, although I go ahead
and use it. I have friends who can get paper and send it to me.
And I know some good US sources.

A story. A brush student would keep painting over the same
practice sheets and not use quality paper to practice. The
brush master came to him in his room and demanded to see
his supplies. The student showed him a a trunk filled with
high quality hand pressed paper. But said he could not use
it because he didn't want to ruin it with his inferior marks.
The master snatched up a basin with wash water and threw
it on the paper, soaking each piece with dirty water.
He then said to the student, "Now, your paper is already
ruined, and it can begin teaching you."

Get good stuff and use it, hoarding quality things just turns
things of value into a burden.

E

a very unique amalgam of philosophies make up my path,
I just don't wear it on my sleeve. there is a lot of wisdom
lost because of animosity toward the speaker. remember
mel's post on interesting people and keep an ear out for
the good stuff.

Kate Daly wrote:

Ceramics are everwhere from historical to cultural to commercial to
contemporary but the country is so humugous that it really takes tenacity
to tour on ones own. Best of luck and save lots of room in your bags for
the return! Kate



Elizabeth Priddy

Beaufort, NC - USA
http://www.elizabethpriddy.com

---------------------------------
Relax. Yahoo! Mail virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses!

Karen Latorre on sun 5 feb 06


>I am going on a China tour. Can anyone recommend pottery sites to visit? <

Hi Brenda,

I was in China for a couple of weeks last October. Prior to going, I did a
search on the Clayart archives for the word China. There are a variety of
emails there that cover details of organized trips and indicate some of the
spots of interest in various cities. Suggest you try searching the archives
at http://lsv.ceramics.org/scripts/wa.exe?S1=clayart
(alternatively, http://lsv.ceramics.org/archivedata/clayart.html and select
“Search the Archives”).

Now, if you happen by Nanchang (capital of Jiangxi Province), there’s an
entire floor of pottery at the Nanchang museum, located near the Teng Wang
pavilion (the trick there is making yourself understood that you wish to
purchase the ticket for that part of the museum, and have them point you to
the entrance for it ... actually, you'll be following the signs with a vase
on them). Also, on the main floor of the Teng Wang, there’s a small museum,
with some artefacts found onsite (a few statues and some fairly primitive
looking functional pots). You’ll also find many many many pottery/porcelain
stores in Nanchang since it’s so close to Jingdezhen, which is known for
it’s porcelain (“porcelain capital of the world” seems to be it’s claim to
fame).

You'll find the people there extremely friendly and welcoming. Have fun on
your trip!

Karen, Belleville, Ontario
www.karenlatorre.com

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karen gringhuis on mon 6 feb 06


Brenda -

Definitely get a cc of Guangzhen Zhou's book ref. web
site chineseclayart.com - it covers all of China.
Next best thing to touring with Zhou himself - I
highly recommend him.

Bejing - LiuLi Chang art supply street - don't miss
the more serious antique shops on the same side of the
main drag as the restaurant with the teapot on top.
Take a taxi ride around Tienamin (sp?) Sq at night. I
missed the ceramics at Forbidden City - my mistake.
To buy possibly old ceramics, Bejing Curio City -
serious gallleries on upper floors.

Souveniers of choice - Olympics 2008 stuff from Bejing
#1 Dept Store. Also avail in S'hai.

Shanghai - SPIN CERAMICS - the NEW China. IMHO a MUST
see. On N side of Julu Lu just east of the corner of
Fumin Lu - set back off street at end of sm. parking
lot. When I visited and met owner, they'd not been
visited (knowingly at least) by a potter - I told them
more would be along soon so if you go, introduce
yourself.

For great meal, go to Shintori near same corner & same
management.

Shanghai Museum - NOT to be confused with S'hai Art
Museum. Great gift shop which also sells Zhou's book.
If time permits, quickly get and read Margaret
Medley's The Chinese Potter - absolutely excellent.
Also sold there.

Another S'hai restaurant named 1221 off W. Yanan Rd
- excellent and Western friendly i.e. no feet & no
heads. Reservations a must on weekends for both - or
try walking in early. La Gondola near Bund Centre is
great if you need a hit of non-Asian food.

HK - tea house next to fun tea pot museum (one has a
Western name?) in park. Wonderful place, beautiful
park - sorry I can't remember name but it's in Zhou's
book. Delightful experience having tea there.

Hong Kong - not ceramics but if you want a great
leather handbag, go to Maylin in Penninsula Hotel in
Kowloon (?). Top quality knockoffs of classic styles
without the name so they operate openly. Also wallets
and custom shoes.

HK - take the boat ride around the harbor (approx. 2
hrs. in the afternoon leaving from near ferry from
mainland dock) for a fabulous bird's eye view of a
major port.

You didn't ask but take with you a prescription
antibiotic Xifaxan - it's new and stays in the
intestine to treat diaherrea i.e. won't cure a sinus
infection. Also consider taking some Tamiflu along.
If you use Advil, take it with you. I couldn't find
it there.

I carried small book titled Survival Chinese and an
Oxford dictionary E-C/C-E. #1 trick to know is don't
leave hotel without the hotel business card with its
name and address in Chinese in case you need to get
back on your own. Same will also probably be on any
plastic room key card. Saves a panic if you get lost.
Many young people will speak some English. If lost,
just keep asking people - eventually someone will
speak enough English to help. People in general are
very friendly.

I was nervous about getting lost at first but as a
friend told me, I may not end up where I intended but
wherever I am will be interesting.

Credit cards NOT big in China - if used, you may incur
a foreign currency surcharge, not big but still there.
Consider a small pocket calculator - my brain
seemed to freeze at dividing RMB by 8 to get the
USDollar amt. HK $ ratio to US $ not that diff. from
RMB to USD.

If you have a cell phone, it MAY work in the big
cities. I added Internatl. service on my Verizon
phone for $4/mo.

Tours are great but don't be shy about carving out
your own downtime if needed.

I lived in Shanghai for 3 mos. this fall & would go
back in a minute. If I can be of further help, feel
free to write or phone.

Karen Gringhuis
KG Pottery
Box 607 Alfred NY 14802

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Darin Gehrke on tue 7 feb 06


On Fri, 3 Feb 2006 21:47:22 -0800, Brenda Phillips wrote:

>I am going on a China tour. Can anyone recommend pottery sites to visit?
>
>Thanks,
>Brenda
>
>______________________________________________________________________________

Brenda,

I submitted this on Sunday but for some reason it did not go through.
If you are going to be in southern China, Guangdong province, try to visit
the Nanfeng kiln site. The Nanfeng kiln is a dragon kiln that is around
five hundred years old and still in operation. It is located in Shiwan
which is a smaller town either in or next to Foshan, a larger ceramic
producing city. They give tours of the pottery and have at least one
English speaking guide. You can see some of my photos here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/126107163hmiLQa

Have a great trip,
Darin

Dale Neese on sat 21 jul 07


I believe most of us who have traveled at length to China finds the whole
country to be intriguing. I feel safe in cities, the food is exceptional for
the most
part. The best food is when it is fresh and cooked hot. The people are so
friendly
no matter what their living situation maybe. Curiosity of foreigners I
expect.
Small villages that we never planned to stop in people turned out in mass to
greet
us. Their living conditions were so meager but they were sometimes insisted
that we share tea and conversation. The children were so much
fun to talk to when we visited their local school yard at recess.
In the historical 600 year old family house of Tuanshan village, in the
Yunnan Province where we were treated to a scrumptious lunch, the owners
told us of their family history for generations.

San Bao in Jingdezhen has undergone some changes since I was first there in
98. Older buildings saved from the fast growth of Jingdezhen city have been
dismantled and brought to San Bao and reconstructed. More living quarters
for visiting residents have built. Quick hot showers are nice in the
evenings. The food
is excellent and most of us looked
forward to each meal served in the only air-conditioned room in the complex.
Several days of monsoon like rains made it tough for drying laundry. Some
nights sleeping were difficult because of the humidity and heat. And there
was this one damned rooster that started his crowing at 4 in the morning
before daylight. We all wanted to kill him. A few of the staff rounded him
up and caged him outside the walls until we were leaving.

I don't think you need to carry too much in the way of medicines. A small
travelers first aid kit is plenty. I'd make sure you visit your local
health department foreign travel section and get the recommended series of
immunizations. Have your Tetanus shots brought up to date if you haven't had
a Tetanus shot in a while. Medications for malaria prevention if traveling
in areas of China where Malaria is still a problem and it is. Some cleansing
wipes for those times all you find for a toilet is a hole in the floor and
no paper. I call them "happy wipes". Stick in your luggage a few protein
bars or granola bars for
those long trips on the bus or late night munchies. Bring along a small
backpack to put a few of those items in when you are out daily sightseeing.
Handy
to hold your bottled water, alcohol wipes, chopsticks, cameras, extra memory
cards. Pack lite because if you are traveling around, on and off the bus,
planes and trains you will be lugging all that baggage by yourself. Save
room
in your suitcase or bring a collapsible extra bag with you for all those
souvenirs you just have to bring home.

I've only worked in Chinese porcelain and stoneware at San Bao. If you
haven't thrown any of the Chinese porcelain it sure is a challenge. Will
make the best throwers exasperated. Then you get to watch some of the local
talent perform with the porcelain. You watch in awe of their throwing
skills. It goes on down the line with the trimmers and other local artists
who glaze the ware. San Bao is more geared to the vessel thrower than
Caroline Chang's place in town I'd say.
At the Pottery Factory I've seen huge porcelain and stoneware sculptures,
Some cast, some hand built. The local expertise available for technical
issues related to ceramics is so incredibly valuable to have at hand. At San
Bao it feels like centuries of traditional pottery making is all around you
with the continuous thudding sound of the primitive water hammers, the wood
fired kilns, at the rural setting. San Bao also has modern equipment in the
studios and if needed they will have local ceramic artists demonstrate their
techniques. In town at Caroline's you feel as if you are a part of the
ceramic factory making process with carts of pugged clay motoring by. Truck
loads of colorful fired ware heading to the porcelain market not too far
away.
There are several ways of making an extended tour of China. Join a ceramics
tour group, enroll in a university summer school study program which I did
last year at Courtland State University International Study program.
http://www.chinaclayart.com/sunysmr.htm
San Bao Ceramic Institute and the university have a long time relationship
that make the whole ceramic experience in China a very enjoyable one. At
NCECA you should be able to find several institutes that offer such
international travel opportunities.
China is quickly changing. Pretty soon it will almost be like anywhere else
except it is still a Communist country. Big city smog, traffic will be come
the norm as it has in Beijing. So if China interests you I'd be making
plans.

Dale Tex
"across the alley from the Alamo"
San Antonio, Texas USA

Terrance Lazaroff on sat 21 jul 07


Dale;

Dale;

That rooster must be a secret agent. He was there in 2003 singing at
4:00am and he was there again in 2005 crowing his heart out. I remember
in 2003 there were so many complaints about the rooster we ended up having
him for dinner. A new one replaced him within the week.

You mention that the food is fresh. I recall going to the workshops in the
morning and counting the ducks. When we would return for lunch we would
count them again. If two were missing we knew that we would be having duck
hot pot for lunch.

Another time we would watch the cook run out to the fishpond and net a
fish. This was going to be supper.

Then there was the war between Jackson and the Eagle. Every morning at
about 10:00 the Eagle would fly over and steal one of Sanbao's chickens or
the baby ducks. So every day at about 9:30 there would be a frenzy of
activity around the compound to herd the small-feathered creatures under
cover.

I know this is strange but I took a box of red tea bags with me. The green
tea is the best but I liked to have a pot of red tea from time to time.

Another thing I noticed the last time I was there was that China is making
a big splash with their coffee making machine designs. I never saw so many
different designed coffee makers. Some were so complex it takes a course to
know how to use them.

KFC was the key landmark for us. We all carried a small piece of the
cardboard packaging with the image of the Colonel. We would show this to
the taxi driver when we wanted to go into the city centre. We would then
show the Sanbao business card when we wanted to return. It allowed us to
go in and out of the city without a guide.

What a great life
Terrance