Earl Brunner on sat 8 apr 00
I see that John Britt and his recent diatribe on Bernard
Leach (see
comment, Ceramics Monthly, May 1999) is getting new
coverage. See:
http://www.criticalceramics.org/articles/unknown.htm
Perhaps, this is something that afflicts him every spring.
If he were
to recognize this perhaps he could seek treatment.
It leaves a poor taste in my mouth. I categorize it in the
same vein
as all the would-be historians, who try to build their
careers by
digging or attempting to dig up dirt on historical famous
figures
(usually ones that are safely dead and can't defend
themselves)
It's as if they can somehow make the world a better place by
removing
the heroes.
John tears down, but he offers nothing in it's place. How
disappointing.
While "mingei" as described by Leach and Yanagi may be
unobtainable
living in today's industrial society, certainly some
elements are of
value and worth striving for.
Leach and Yanagi weren't/aren't the only voices that call us
as artists
and craftspeople. From a western perspective, Walter
Gropius said: "Architects, sculptors, painters, we must all
turn to the crafts. Art
is not a profession, there is no essential difference
between the
artist and the craftsman. In rare moments of inspiration,
moments
beyond the control of his will, the grace of heaven may
cause his work
to blossom into art. But proficiency in his craft is
essential to every artist. Therein lies the source of
creative imagination." (The Invisible Core, Marguerite
Wildenhain, pp. 21-22)
along this same line Harry Davis said, "I have already
referred to the
fact that potters have managed to insinuate themselves into
the world of
Fine Art. We need to face the fact that they are holding
their position
in that world largely by not making pots, by not being
potters...... The
fact that sculpture has largely lost its social role as a
means of commemorating heroes and saints is no reason for
potters to abandon the
social role which they still have. My plea is that pottery
is a valid
and viable art-form in its own right, and that potters
should have the
courage to be potters." (Harry Davis, in A Potter's
Companion" p. 100)
Shiho Kanzaki: "When you get to a certain level of quality,
you are
satisfied for the moment. But if the next firing brings pots
of only
equal quality, since you have already enjoyed that
achievement before,
they will not be as satisfying as before. As artists, it is
our responsibility to always pursue a better thing. I need
to grow, to be
better than before. Likewise, my pots need to grow, to be
better each
time." CM June/July/August 1997 p 64)(this is a GREAT site
by the way: http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~shiho/ )
Learn your craft,
make pots,
make the best pots you can
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net
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