cHuCk on thu 21 sep 00
One of the most impressive demonstrations I ever watched was Don Reitz when
he taught at U of Wis. (Madison) when I studied there in the late 70's. He
was like a superstar putting on a show. Talking like Lee Trevino the whole
time while the pot (sculpture) just barely hung on to be the most beautiful
35" vase form. It was just amazing. He is a real showman. It was really
exciting.
I do a lot of demonstrations at my shop for on lookers and one thing I try
to do is slow way down and go step by step stopping in between steps to let
people see what is happening. Opening and pulling up all at once is
impressive, but it is not really very educational for beginners.
Kind of like someone helping on the computer so fast that one has no idea
what they did.
Dick Hay (Indiana State) said that he saw an early Volkous demonstration at
Alfred and eventhough most of his "stacks" fell over it was great. Dick's
teacher (Henry Lee) would have them make 100 pots and only save one of them.
I try to throw a couple back every session eventhough we sell what we make.
Sometimes I make vases with small tops and then blow in them hard enough to
make them "pop". If you never "blow" a pot then you may not be getting out
near the "edge". Like a skier that never falls down.
I think a good exercise is to pull a pot up till it falls down. Also helps
students to get over trying to save every precious pot.
No guts, no glory. And anyway...it's not whether you win or lose, it's how
you played the game that matters. (at least to me)
Chuck
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