Chris Campbell on thu 8 nov 01

Imzadi -

I'm wondering if your title should read 'Quieting the disfunctional
critic'.

This is the same critic that nags you about every single doubt you
have ever had. It never encourages anything.

The only way to shut him/her up is through total defiance.

Make that pot exactly the way you imagine it and see where it leads
you. I am betting that it will take you to a place where you can meld the two
styles and come up with a new design that will keep you inspired till the
next pot screams to get out.

And if it doesn't keep this in mind. Lots of people need pots that
have to be handled with care, treated with love and offered only to those who
will do the same.

I am not the only one who doesn't offer to share the special stuff
with just anyone, am I?

Chris Campbell - in North Carolina - My critic often comments on what a dumb
way this is to make a living. Go figure.

Paul Taylor on fri 9 nov 01

Dear Imzadi

I think you are right to be in this mind set and hope you do not get
glib answers that can be paraphrased as 'try harder'.

I think you can keep your functional pots functional and be at pease
with the fact that they are not totally innovative but very functional -
just because post modernism defines Innovation as art we do not have to
succumb to this constant propaganda.

Most people that put Innovation into their domestic ware put it in as a
substitute for their lack of ability to understand and recreate beautiful
forms. There are plenty of others sharing the same weaknesses to tell them
they are great put their pictures in magazines etc. You can not beat a
little eccentricity to distract from bad anything.

However if you can push the form or decoration and still keep the pot
functional you are a genius, and I wish I was you. So there - maybe some
visions you are having are worth exploring.

I can understand your desire for accessibility. Try some of the pots and
ask your friends what they think - how far are they willing to forgo total
function - you maybe surprised. Again modernism teaches that our friends are
the enemies of Innovation unless they are specially picked.

I have held some ancient pots that were like eggshell -but their function
was ritualistic . After understanding this - that the delicacy under pined
their ritual nature, I no longer worry about making my pots a little heavier
for functions sake.

I have discovered every thing is functional but the function may not be
domestic. so work out how the pots are to be used and by who. Make those
thin rimmed and delicate arty stuff for effete compulsives working in
advertising that drink their tea ritualistically -- and make some robust and
warm stuff for the rest of us - you can not do both. This could be the
problem 'acceptance' ( Its going to be wrong for some one, and for some part
of your self as well) - I have 'acceptance' problems - maybe we all do - but
again modernist propaganda is against concepts like 'acceptance'.

Some times I find myself just in the habit of 'different'. I think its
basis is in the Buddhist idea that 'doubt' is a solid state that we all
have. . We will never be 'sure'! our minds will always find alternatives -
'doubts' . I think those that have the greatest certainty are the ones that
can not deal with doubt at all - a strange paradox that they doubt so much
that they can not dare recognize it, and that lack of questioning leads to
negative actions. so with out doubt there is no wisdom. The best I can do
is allow for that 'doubt'. I just watch it's games in a meditative way.
There are lots of sharletons and idolatries offering cures; but I expect
'doubt' is part of the mechanics of creation. We may not exist with out it -
the best we can do is be amazed at 'doubts' genius and better still be
entertained by it and our efforts to defeat it - which I believe can not be
avoided, and maybe, need not be avoided.

---------------------------

When you do Raku - the symbolism of modern Raku is decorative and
Innovation. Its what is expected and we can enjoy ourselves and go off in
imaginative fancy - pity those that can not.

What I have learned lately that has put me in a 'tizz' is that I have
tried to substitute creativity for authenticity. like trying to make a
decorative distraction because I want to make salt and other process related
statements or worse trying to make my gas firing look like a Bizen firing. I
have had my 'quiet' destroyed by the vision of japanese Bizen ware. I want
God to give me those effects - its just earning the money- to get the time
to build the kilns and do the technology. simple recipes complicated
materials and process ( Hammada said something like that ). this could be a
bit of an illusion - the grass is greener and the pots are better made on
the other side of the hill.

So maybe you are complaining of what all us artists have. You have
discovered that your subconscious is not letting you make the stuff you feel
is there , in the subconscious. Its like not giving yourself permission to
do something your conscious knows could be done. The only consolation is
that we all have it some worse than others, but to admit it could
disappoint. You have admitted it to your self - there is a cure for us that
do - shed a little tear for those that are certain of their genius they are
beyond improvement.

I believe - Putting too much sudo creativity into a domestic pot is like
putting a swimming pool in a car . It has neither use nor decoration.

I hope we get 'there' even if 'there' does not exist. We will have to make
even more pots to find out - 'try harder':) .


--
Regards Paul Taylor

http://www.anu.ie/westportpottery

"How can I improve my ratings" said the Media Mogul.
"Tell them that blame is the cure for anger, and that money is the cure for
greed" said Satan.
"But you don't exist" said the Media Mogul.
"So what " said Satan.


> From: "Imzadi D."
> Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2001 03:30:01 EST
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Quieting the functional critic?
>
> I throw extremely well. Even, appropriately thick or thin walls, lightweight,
> and most importantly sturdy, substantial rims that do not chip or break
> easily. I throw extremely tight, technically correct, generic functional
> shapes which sell quite well. When I forget to sign the bottom of one of my
> pots, it could very well be mistaken for someone else's who threw a similar
> pot.
>
> As my artistic insides are screaming to develop my own unique style, be more
> daring and alter and push the thrown forms to the limit, I actually get great
> inspirations and ideas when working the clay.
>
> I want to pull and stretch the rim of a bowl into delicate flower petal
> shapes with ragged edges, flipping an edge up or over. But then I hear that
> functional critic in me say, "No, NO! You can't have a corner of the rim
> jutting out like that, it will get chipped off the first time a customer
> picks it up! It IS a BOWL after all. First rule: make it functional."
>
> I want to add on a delicate, swirling, coil of clay arching 1/2 inch above
> the rim of a bowl, then swooping back down into it. But my functional critic
> says, "Too high! That coil will get broken off when someone knocks the coil
> against the faucet."
>
> I started cutting and incising lacy holes into the rim and my functional
> critic says, Don't cut that close to the edge. Leave thicker widths between
> the cutouts. Four hours of work will be ruined if you get a hairline fracture
> in it later!"
>
> I want to add wire or beads onto the piece, but I fear some idiot customer
> will call in a few weeks saying he spent $60 on a bowl of mine, threw it into
> the microwave (then the dishwasher) and the wire ruined the microwave while
> the beads melted in the dishwasher. After all, a $60 BOWL should have been
> microwavable and dishwasher safe!
>
> GRRRR! How do I shut up or befriend this functional critic? If I made totally
> sculptural art, I think the inner critic would shut up. Plus it would be so
> obvious to a customer how delicate the piece is. I walk into gift shops and
> see fragile hand blown glass bowls and bottles and it is so obvious to me
> that they should be handled with extreme care.
>
> But I keep thinking I'm going to get the customers from Idiot City. For some
> reason I think items made from stoneware or porcelain should be sturdy and
> strong. Having $60 to spend doesn't make them smarter. If anything, it puts
> the pressure on me to make a piece that will last.
>
> I don't have this problem with my raku of saggar fired pots. I have learned
> from the beginning that they are for decorational use only.
>
> Yet, I would like to have the customers still be able to use a delicately
> carved fruitbowl to hold and display fruit, if they use care in placing and
> taking out the fruit. But my functional critic won't even let me that far in
> TRYING to make the piece. A joyful, unique inspiration gets dashed
> immediately and my designs are getting compromised as I lowered that arching
> coil so now that it's glazed, the glaze filled in the space under the arc so
> that it is almost firmly glazed to the rim. Not breaking off now! (I know, I
> sound schizophrenic!)
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Imzadi
> ...soon to be fitted for a straight jacket...
>

Lee Love on sat 10 nov 01

----- Original Message -----
From: "Imzadi D."


> Imzadi
> ...soon to be fitted for a straight jacket...

Just make the best work you can. Who cares what you call it. Pick a
creative way and do it as though your life depended upon it. Don't waffled
between ways or your stuff will always be half-baked. As Yoda said, "No try,
just DO!"

Like someone said, maybe you need to meditate. Actually, if you allow it,
working at the wheel is very similar to meditation, especially if you are making
many of the same thing and not having to think about what you will do next.
It is one-pointed, single-minded attention.

The single most important factor is intention. If you use your breath in
a meditative way, and make it a priority to stop the bickering going on in your
head, you can work at letting it go. But you have to be focused and have the
intention to do so.

Here is a Goethe quote I've shared here before. It is about intention and
commitment:

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always
ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative [or creation] there is one
elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid
plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves
too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise never haven
ever have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising
in one's favor all manner of incidents and meetings and material assistance
which no man would have believed would have come his way. Whatever you think you
can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace, and power in
it."

- Goethe