Janet Kaiser on mon 1 may 00
Jonathan,
After first standing up straight to attention next to the VDU (like we used
to in class when the teacher walked in) I have sat down and dutifully read
your message from the List Moderator. Not being May 1st. I was unprepared to
meet "Sir" yet, but I have settled down enough to welcome you and the other
moderators to the huge task ahead... Good luck!
I am sorry to pick up on just one point of your mail, but being a mere
consumer of ceramics, my concern is slightly different to those actually
doing the making. I (rightly or wrongly) see slip casting in the
manufacturing tradition. However, since Leach & Co. reintroduced the ideal
of the hand-made tradition as an art form and honest work, this issue is
programmed to continue... eternally. There will always be a "Them" and "Us"
and ne'er the twain shall meet.
This will hardly be the only discussion which tends to repeat itself.
Although it obviously annoys you personally, I trust we will be allowed to
bicker on? Someone recently asked if had anyone changed their opinion about
the other point of view, as a result of what has been said... I presume not
among the old die hards.
However, you never know who is listening. Some first year student or hobby
potter who is looking for a change of direction may find an new avenue to
explore. A complete newbie who does not even know about all the options.
Even a mere consumer like me may reappraise my personal attitude one way or
the other.
Janet Kaiser - wondering when the pigs will start cluttering the air
space...
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
----- Original Message -----
> Why are we, as potters, ceramic artists, makers of ceramic art and makers
> of useable pottery so bent out of shape over the issue of slip casting,
the
> issue of defining what is handmade and what is not, or better put, what
> fits into the parameters of one's own ego, so to speak, of what is
handmade
> or not. I think we are so wrapped up in this that we are failing to see
> what really matters. And what really matters, after you discard all the
> verbage, the diatribe, the endless banter, the endless self promotion, the
> whining and compaining, is the work, and only the work. If you are honest
> and clear with yourself and what you make, how you make it is not really
> the issue. In fact, it is such a non-issue that I am again, both quite
> humored and annoyed to see how many times and in how many different forms
> this issue surfaces, disappears, and resurfaces again on this list.
> snip<
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