Janet Kaiser on mon 3 apr 00
It goes without saying: Clay Art is a wonderful resource. It is US-biased,
not just because it is based / hosted by the University of Kentucky, but
because there are just so many potters in the US and a great many of whom
have internet access. Outside the US/Canada not many are on-line, whether in
the English speaking countries or elsewhere.
But, I have yet to think I am in any way excluded... Indeed, all the "real
clay people" are very tolerant of a gallery person interloper from the UK. I
have made cyber friends all over the world and we enjoy an off-line rapport
we would not have but for Clay Art. Many know some of my comments are
tongue-in-cheek, whilst others just ignore my faux pas and excesses! I am
one of the naughty children.
I also do no feel that the information and exchange is only applicable to
the US, except for exchanges on wheels and kilns manufactured in the US and
generally not available elsewhere. I am sure most of the exchange is
relevant to everyone, no matter where they are. If it were not the case,
there would not be subscribers in Europe, Africa, Asia, S. America and
elsewhere... Even in the Antipodes a.k.a. Down Under!
We can all only talk from our own perspective. A potter in New York is going
to have very different experiences to one York, UK. However, as long as
there are ten in NY and not one in York partaking in Clay Art discussion, we
are only going to hear about the one and not the other.
It will not be possible to change the way Clay Art appears, until many, many
more potters around the world take part on a regular basis. We could all
talk between ouselves within Clay Art, but first find participants! It is a
democratic institution (even if Mary M. claims it is a "benign
dictatorship") and like any democracy, you have to get more people taking
part before the nature of the institution will change.
I personally rather like hearing the US perspective although some
information can be confusing. If I hear of a wonderful exhibition in Rome, I
do tend to think of the Eternal City in Italy, not some two-horse town in
the Mid-West of the USA!!! But that is just a minor irritation... In the UK,
we know what is happening in the US today will be here tomorrow, so hearing
from the horse's mouth helps prepare for the inevitable! Good or bad, it is
a fact of life.
I repeat, MOST of the exchange is basically applicable the world over, as
far as I am concerned. Some ideas develop into lively discussion, others do
not even get a single reply or reaction. It is rather like living in a
noisy, boisterous family get-together... The late-comer or adopted child
needs a little time to find their feet and their niche. Anyone who is
impatient needs to just cool out a bit and go with the flow. Whether Grandpa
or Baby there is room for everyone. Even long-lost relatives, but it takes
time for the family to absorb them into their daily talk and treat them on
an equal basis.
Janet Kaiser
The Chapel of Art, Criccieth LL52 0EA, GB-Wales
Home of The International Potters Path
TEL: (01766) 523570
WEB: http://www.the-coa.org.uk
EMAIL: postbox@the-coa.org.uk
ferenc jakab on tue 4 apr 00
----- Original Message -----
From: "Janet Kaiser"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, 4 April 2000 7:36 am
Subject: International Clay Art (was: What is Clayart?)
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> It goes without saying: Clay Art is a wonderful resource. It is US-biased,
> not just because it is based / hosted by the University of Kentucky, but
> because there are just so many potters in the US and a great many of whom
> have internet access. Outside the US/Canada not many are on-line, whether
in
> the English speaking countries or elsewhere.
>
> But, I have yet to think I am in any way excluded... Indeed, all the "real
> clay people" are very tolerant of a gallery person interloper from the UK.
I
Janet,
I basically agree with you, and when I made that post I was feeling a bit
paranoid as after effect of a particularly nasty piece of cultural bullying
from a North American relative (nothing to do with clay or Clayart) and I
guess my feathers were ruffled. However there are signs that Clart may
become too big for one person at one institution. Vince has suggested that
if this happens perhaps we should start a dedicated international forum and
allow the North American potters to continue to communicate about local
issue in their own forum.
In the mean time I am happy with the latitude allowed to us international
contributors and the friendly communication of ALL parties.
I apologise for any feathers I ruffled.
Feri.
Feri.
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