Elizabeth Hewitt on tue 19 feb 02
As a tribute to Peter Voulkos and for the sake of art appreciation, I
have a request of his fans.
We know with the vast number of members we have on Clayart, a certain
percent, maybe a large percent have not acquired a taste for Voulkos'
work. I include myself. For all I know, he may not have cared if ones
liked his art or not, but I highly suspect he would have cared a great
deal about art appreciation.
I'm requesting that anyone who loves his work and feels inclined to do
so, using the website I include, give us your positive evaluation of his
work. On this site, there are ten pieces, each numbered, so it should be
relatively easy to signify which piece you are using for each evaluation
you do. I and maybe others on the list, would like to see his work
through your eyes. I refrained from calling it a critique because that
seems to imply both positive and negative. That's something that could
be done another time, if anyone wishes.
Let's not have any responses from anyone who does not like his work, or
any disagreements over the evaluations. Out of respect for Peter, let's
keep it entirely positive as you would a eulogy. Let's keep ALL the
responses on Clayart, avoiding any negative private stuff.
The fact that he has passed away does not it make it too late for anyone
who wishes to develop an appreciation for his work and just maybe learn
something about our own work at the same time.
Here's the website: Just do however many you wish.
http://www.the-anagama.com/En/voulkos/index.html
Thank you to anyone who participates.
Elizabeth, whose inquiring mind NEEDS to know.
=20
Cindi Anderson on tue 19 feb 02
I also am not trained in art appreciation and only in the past few years
have come to appreciate art at all. So I have no "predefined" basis for my
like of Peter's sculpture, other than to explain why I like it.
What appeals to me about Peter's work is the raw beauty of the clay. It is
very primal, primitive in a sense. Maybe architectural is a good word too.
But mostly I love the look of clay, and these pieces give it to me.
Although some of these pieces may look just thrown together, it actually is
a lot harder to make things look "just thrown together" than you would
think. Of course I think these pieces would be even more appealing in
person, where I could touch the clay and see the textures and color
variations. #10 stack is my favorite!
Cindi
Fremont, CA
Brandon Phillips on wed 20 feb 02
I am a bit torn between plates # 3 and 4. #3 has the ruggedness that i
admire so much in his work, the torn edges of clay that are visible near the
top, I love that texture and look. #4 has that leathery soft look, like it
is almost still workable. They are hard to see, but this has some tiny
porcelain dots on it, reminiscent of his plates from the 70's, those are my
favorites. When I was a beginner in ceramics I thought Voulkos' work was a
bunch of crap, I told my teacher that anybody could do that stuff. Then my
teacher told to do it. He explained to me the process and how much clay was
used(70-80#'s per plate!) Quite a humbling experience. To this day I still
can't make a piece with the raw power of his work. There is a lot more
there than what it seems. I attended a workshop at Peter Callas' last
summer with Don Reitz, Kurt Weiser, and Voulkos. Even as incapacitated as
Voulkos was, it was amazing to watch him work, I'll never forget it as long
as I live. I respect his work more and more every time I see a piece.
Gonna miss him.
Brandon Phillips
_________________________________________________________________
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Bob Pulley on wed 20 feb 02
Without taking the time to look at internet reproductions of Voulkos' work =
I feel like weighing in. I think a lot of the issue about the value of =
his work is tied to our point in time. Peter has been mining the same =
vein for a long time.
I have no idea how he felt about that. I personally don't see a lot of =
aesthetic distance traveled beyond his work in the 60's and early 70's =
(someone more in tune with his work might be able correct me). But as a =
person just getting into clay in the early 70's I can say that his =
influence on me was profound. It was of the time, free, ecstatic, bold, =
zen, celebratory of the nature of clay.
Meanwhile many of us were "going back to the land" saying "be natural", =
looking to eastern religions dressing like ragged peacocks or hobos.
I still think his work has a raw power, but I can't see it the same as I =
did25 or 30 years ago. I can't listen to Donovan anymore either (there is =
an inappropriate comparison). Peter Voulkos was a revolutionary and made =
possible a lot of the work being done today (mine included). While young =
people may understand his work and like it or not, my contention is nobody =
can see it as it was seen 30 years ago. The lighting is different.
Robert Pulley
>>> elizabeth01@ALLTEL.NET 02/19/02 03:20PM >>>
As a tribute to Peter Voulkos and for the sake of art appreciation, I
have a request of his fans.
We know with the vast number of members we have on Clayart, a certain
percent, maybe a large percent have not acquired a taste for Voulkos'
work. I include myself. For all I know, he may not have cared if ones
liked his art or not, but I highly suspect he would have cared a great
deal about art appreciation.
I'm requesting that anyone who loves his work and feels inclined to do
so, using the website I include, give us your positive evaluation of his
work. On this site, there are ten pieces, each numbered, so it should be
relatively easy to signify which piece you are using for each evaluation
you do. I and maybe others on the list, would like to see his work
through your eyes. I refrained from calling it a critique because that
seems to imply both positive and negative. That's something that could
be done another time, if anyone wishes.
Let's not have any responses from anyone who does not like his work, or
any disagreements over the evaluations. Out of respect for Peter, let's
keep it entirely positive as you would a eulogy. Let's keep ALL the
responses on Clayart, avoiding any negative private stuff.
The fact that he has passed away does not it make it too late for anyone
who wishes to develop an appreciation for his work and just maybe learn
something about our own work at the same time.
Here's the website: Just do however many you wish.
http://www.the-anagama.com/En/voulkos/index.html=20
Thank you to anyone who participates.
Elizabeth, whose inquiring mind NEEDS to know.
=20
___________________________________________________________________________=
___
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org=20
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/=20
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.=
com.
Susie Mathews on wed 20 feb 02
Hello,
A year and half ago I did a paper and presentation on
Pete. I had never met him and didn't know a thing
about him when I started, but was quickly amazed by
his stamina, ability and drive. I have since waited
for the time when I would meet him in person and thank
him for everything he did for me. Sadly, that day
will never come. Instead I will save my money and
maybe someday I will own one of his pieces and in
doing so I will have a piece of Pete to cherish and
aspire to. Until that time, my favorites from the
site were 4,5,9 and 10.
Susie Mathews
__________________________________________________
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Yahoo! Sports - Coverage of the 2002 Olympic Games
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Elizabeth Hewitt on wed 20 feb 02
Susie said:
Instead I will save my money and maybe someday I will own one of his
pieces and in doing so I will have a piece of Pete to cherish and aspire
to. Until that time, my favorites from the site were 4,5,9 and 10.
Thanks Susie. I went back and looked at your favorites. I found myself
spending the most time looking at 4 & 10. For now, maybe they are my
favorites. It's a start.
I do hope you get to own one of his pieces.
Elizabeth
Tom's E-mail on wed 20 feb 02
Robert
You wrote "While young people may understand his work and like it or not, my
contention is nobody can see it as it was seen 30 years ago. The lighting is
different."
There is a corollary to that, while people may understand his work and like
it or not, my contention is nobody 30 years ago can see it as it is today.
The lighting is different.
Tom Sawyer
tsawyer@cfl.rr.com
vince pitelka on wed 20 feb 02
> Without taking the time to look at internet reproductions of Voulkos' work
I feel like weighing in. I think a lot of the issue about the value of his
work is tied to our point in time. Peter has been mining the same vein for
a long time.
> I have no idea how he felt about that. I personally don't see a lot of
aesthetic distance traveled beyond his work in the 60's and early 70's
(someone more in tune with his work might be able correct me).
Bob -
This certainly seems a strange thing to post right now. This issue has been
discussed in past years, and I think you are right, you are not in tune with
his work. If you were in tune with the subtleties of his work you would see
the continuing vitality and evolution. If you can look at his recent work
and say that it is stale and dated, then I do feel bad for you. When an
artist discovers a very strong personal style, it often involves a lifetime
to explore the subtleties. Making such casual off hand comments gives
Voulkos little credit. You are of course entitled to your opinion, but I
have to wonder at your motives.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
Philip Poburka on wed 20 feb 02
Dear Bob,
I like your point about not being able to see it the same from here, as one
may have seen it from
'there' (then).
Seems true to me.
The more innocent one is of context, the harder or more elusive it may be to
assay it's influence.
While context is not 'everything' it comes maybe close enough...but seldom
is it very visable or likely to be.
I met Peter Voulkos twice at the NCECA here in Las Vegas.
I did not know who he was, we just struck up a conversation in a hallway.
We talked about 'thirties Suits, cigarettes and Women.
I later got some notion of 'who' he was in a Pottery kind-of-way, and he had
in person the very energy, authority and will I was to later see in
representations of his work.
I would not wager that he could quite 'do' a mundane thing...he was too
mythological for that. Just standing there as an old burned-out fireball, he
still hummed and crackled...still put out a lotta 'light'...still on a
Comet's orbit.
I liked him very much...even if just from a couple short conversations in a
hall,
I could tell who he was in a Life kind-of-way...if not then in a Pottery
kind-of-way.
Phil
Las Vegas...
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Pulley"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2002 5:12 AM
Subject: Re: As a tribute to Peter Voulkos...a request.
Without taking the time to look at internet reproductions of Voulkos' work I
feel like weighing in. I think a lot of the issue about the value of his
work is tied to our point in time. Peter has been mining the same vein for
a long time.
I have no idea how he felt about that. I personally don't see a lot of
aesthetic distance traveled beyond his work in the 60's and early 70's
(someone more in tune with his work might be able correct me). But as a
person just getting into clay in the early 70's I can say that his influence
on me was profound. It was of the time, free, ecstatic, bold, zen,
celebratory of the nature of clay.
Meanwhile many of us were "going back to the land" saying "be natural",
looking to eastern religions dressing like ragged peacocks or hobos.
I still think his work has a raw power, but I can't see it the same as I
did25 or 30 years ago. I can't listen to Donovan anymore either (there is
an inappropriate comparison). Peter Voulkos was a revolutionary and made
possible a lot of the work being done today (mine included). While young
people may understand his work and like it or not, my contention is nobody
can see it as it was seen 30 years ago. The lighting is different.
Robert Pulley
>>> elizabeth01@ALLTEL.NET 02/19/02 03:20PM >>>
As a tribute to Peter Voulkos and for the sake of art appreciation, I
have a request of his fans.
We know with the vast number of members we have on Clayart, a certain
percent, maybe a large percent have not acquired a taste for Voulkos'
work. I include myself. For all I know, he may not have cared if ones
liked his art or not, but I highly suspect he would have cared a great
deal about art appreciation.
I'm requesting that anyone who loves his work and feels inclined to do
so, using the website I include, give us your positive evaluation of his
work. On this site, there are ten pieces, each numbered, so it should be
relatively easy to signify which piece you are using for each evaluation
you do. I and maybe others on the list, would like to see his work
through your eyes. I refrained from calling it a critique because that
seems to imply both positive and negative. That's something that could
be done another time, if anyone wishes.
Let's not have any responses from anyone who does not like his work, or
any disagreements over the evaluations. Out of respect for Peter, let's
keep it entirely positive as you would a eulogy. Let's keep ALL the
responses on Clayart, avoiding any negative private stuff.
The fact that he has passed away does not it make it too late for anyone
who wishes to develop an appreciation for his work and just maybe learn
something about our own work at the same time.
Here's the website: Just do however many you wish.
http://www.the-anagama.com/En/voulkos/index.html
Thank you to anyone who participates.
Elizabeth, whose inquiring mind NEEDS to know.
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Bill Arnold on thu 21 feb 02
As in life, so in death, there are those who can see Voulkos' work and those
who cannot. It has always been so.
----- Original Message -----
From: "vince pitelka"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2002 10:10 PM
Subject: Re: As a tribute to Peter Voulkos...a request.
> > Without taking the time to look at internet reproductions of Voulkos'
work
> I feel like weighing in. I think a lot of the issue about the value of
his
> work is tied to our point in time. Peter has been mining the same vein
for
> a long time.
> > I have no idea how he felt about that. I personally don't see a lot of
> aesthetic distance traveled beyond his work in the 60's and early 70's
> (someone more in tune with his work might be able correct me).
>
> Bob -
> This certainly seems a strange thing to post right now. This issue has
been
> discussed in past years, and I think you are right, you are not in tune
with
> his work. If you were in tune with the subtleties of his work you would
see
> the continuing vitality and evolution. If you can look at his recent work
> and say that it is stale and dated, then I do feel bad for you. When an
> artist discovers a very strong personal style, it often involves a
lifetime
> to explore the subtleties. Making such casual off hand comments gives
> Voulkos little credit. You are of course entitled to your opinion, but I
> have to wonder at your motives.
> Best wishes -
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka
> Appalachian Center for Crafts
> Tennessee Technological University
> 1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
> Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
> 615/597-5376
> Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
> 615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
> http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Bob Pulley on thu 21 feb 02
Tom,=20
Absolutely. His work is part of the ground upon which we all stand.
Bob
>>> tsawyer@CFL.RR.COM 02/20/02 08:12PM >>>
Robert
You wrote "While young people may understand his work and like it or not, =
my
contention is nobody can see it as it was seen 30 years ago. The lighting =
is
different."
There is a corollary to that, while people may understand his work and =
like
it or not, my contention is nobody 30 years ago can see it as it is today.
The lighting is different.
Tom Sawyer
tsawyer@cfl.rr.com=20
___________________________________________________________________________=
___
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org=20
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/=20
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.=
com.
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