GlassyClass on tue 23 oct 01
did that a long time ago (Thank god ).>
Could I ask what is this Leach Tradition, or who was "Leach".
The reason I ask, I was down at (store name not important, since it was a
employee [bb]) today, wanting to look at their $200.00 Brent KickWheel Kit,
and the person that I was asking was trying to steer(hard sell) me to a
$1,000.00 Brent model C or CXC wheel, telling me that this was the wheel I
wanted, instead of building a cheap kit, that wasn't worth a the steel that
it was made of. He spouted something about the Leach Tradition, and how it
was only for old folks or old potters, that all the potters that were any
good that he knew used Brent wheels.
Basically told him that I was not made of money to pop a thousand on a
wheel, that the reason that I wanted to look at the kit, was that I was a
student, and wanting a quiet kickwheel. He decided that he did not have any
more time to talk to me, and left for the back of the store. Another store
clerk was just standing there, watching the whole thing, I asked him if he
would check me out, since I also was buying some tools, told him that they
had lost a sale, because of the unprofessional help of the other
salesperson.
Just what is this Leach Tradition, and how does it relate to Wheels, or
Pottery in general ?
Talked with one of the school techs later in the day, might be buying one of
their kickwheels for $100.00, going to go look at it on Thursday.
Bud
[self edited]
Earl Brunner on wed 24 oct 01
Bernard Leach, brought, or had a significant hand in opening the "West"
to the influence of Japanese and oriental pottery traditions. A
significant number of well known British and American potters have been
influenced by him. Worth reading up on.
You will also come across the word Mingei in the context of Bernard
Leach, Shoji Hamada, and others. Mingei (if I can explain this right)
is the idea that the common maker of crafts, often trancend the ordinary
in their work and their work crosses over into the realm of "art" with
necessarily a conscious effort to do so. There are those who would
claim to espouse this tradition and those who would deny or try to
reject it's influence.
Well, there, in one paragraph, you have the whole thing of which books
have been written and argued about for the last 50 years or so. Read up
on it, it's fascinating.
GlassyClass wrote:
> > did that a long time ago (Thank god ).>
>
> Could I ask what is this Leach Tradition, or who was "Leach".
>
> The reason I ask, I was down at (store name not important, since it was a
> employee [bb]) today, wanting to look at their $200.00 Brent KickWheel Kit,
> and the person that I was asking was trying to steer(hard sell) me to a
> $1,000.00 Brent model C or CXC wheel, telling me that this was the wheel I
> wanted, instead of building a cheap kit, that wasn't worth a the steel that
> it was made of. He spouted something about the Leach Tradition, and how it
> was only for old folks or old potters, that all the potters that were any
> good that he knew used Brent wheels.
>
> Basically told him that I was not made of money to pop a thousand on a
> wheel, that the reason that I wanted to look at the kit, was that I was a
> student, and wanting a quiet kickwheel. He decided that he did not have any
> more time to talk to me, and left for the back of the store. Another store
> clerk was just standing there, watching the whole thing, I asked him if he
> would check me out, since I also was buying some tools, told him that they
> had lost a sale, because of the unprofessional help of the other
> salesperson.
>
> Just what is this Leach Tradition, and how does it relate to Wheels, or
> Pottery in general ?
>
> Talked with one of the school techs later in the day, might be buying one of
> their kickwheels for $100.00, going to go look at it on Thursday.
>
> Bud
> [self edited]
>
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Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec/
bruec@anv.net
Martin Howard on thu 25 oct 01
For those Americans who visit the UK, a visit to the Leach family potteries
and now museum will be very helpful in understanding the Leach tradition.
A good friend of mine is John Leach at Muchelney Pottery, in Somerset.
I think he exemplifies the Leach tradition in a country pottery, using his
own Japanese Climbing Kiln. Well worth a visit and a chat.
He's not into computers and e-mail, just pots!!
A lovely character.
Martin Howard
Webbs Cottage Pottery
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE, Essex CM7 5DZ
01371 850 423
martin@webbscottage.co.uk
http://www.webbscottage.co.uk
This web-site is being updated NOW!
Steve Dalton on thu 25 oct 01
Bud,
It's not the wheel that makes a potter, but the person wanting to be a
potter. Why spend a thousand for a wheel, even if it has gold inlay and all
of the gizmos and gadgets. Several years ago, I had heard about a wheel
with a speedometer coming out...big deal. Just something extra to break.
Buy a wheel you can afford, not something you need to sell your first born
for. Even look for used wheels around your area. One key thing though, buy
a wheel that can handle more than what you plan throw. If your biggest pot
in your life or whatever is going to be 25 lbs worth of clay, buy a wheel
that can handle 30-50lbs. It's always better to have that extra power just
incase you need it.
Leach Tradition, basically to sum it up, is a state of mind. A bridge
linking the East and West. In my opinion, a return to folk art. In
government, a 'Grass Roots' Movement. Our early beginnings but with the
influences of not just one group but many. Roman, Greek, Japanese, British
or Early America.
Steve Dalton
Clear Creek Pottery
Snohomish, WA
sdpotter@gte.net
chris clarke on thu 25 oct 01
I have had one of those 'cheap' kits for almost 10 years now. My father and
I built it out of marine board and I love it. I also have a $1000 brent cxc
that I love also.
He was trying to sell you something that's all. I like trimming on a kick
and throwing on an electric. But I threw on a kick for years, it was my
first wheel and I'll never get rid of it. Put some wheels on the front of
it so you can move it around and you're set.
The wheel brand doesn't make you good, it's skill, heart, and soul. You
don't even have to have a wheel. Seen some great handbuilders. Hell, Ol'
Tony can work with whale turds. Ain't life sweet. chris
Leach I can't tell you about, I know about him but others are way more
knowledgeable to give you the story.
temecula, california
chris@ccpots.com
www.ccpots.com
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