MOLINA, RAFAEL on mon 18 feb 02
The Crow Collection of Asian Art
I recently viewed the exhibition Radiant Colors Japanese Enamels from =
the John R. Young Collection at the Crow Collection of Asian Art in =
Dallas, TX.
I'm interested in seeing works from other media especially the =
traditional craft media of glass, wood, metal, fiber, and paper. I'm =
especially interested in holloware and enamel. I believe there are some =
commonalities between pottery and holloware in construction techniques, =
form and surface.
One of the characteristics of the material clay is plasticity. Metal is =
also "plastic" in the sense that if pressure is applied it yields to =
that pressure and retains its shape. Of course, you have to heat up =
metal and beat it with a hammer and anvil repeatedly in order to raise =
it into a hollow vessel form. After forming, a planishing hammer is =
used to refined the surface before enameling. I often use this analogy =
when lecturing and demostrating to my students about coiling a vessel in =
clay and refining the shape and surface with the paddle and anvil =
technique. =20
Many of the shapes seen in clay can be seen in holloware including =
bowls, bottles, vases, lidded forms, etc,... I look to other media for =
ideas about shape, proportion, and scale and encourage my students to do =
the same. =20
The surfaces may also be related if the holloware pieces are enameled. =
Applying enamel to the surface of metal and heating in a kiln to fuse =
the materials is analogous to applying glaze to the surface of clay and =
firing in order for the clay to mature, the glaze to melt, and fuse with =
the clay.
The pieces in the Young collection included a range of forms and =
surfaces. Most of the works were from the latter 19th century and early =
twentieth century Japan. The show will only be up for a short time =
longer so if you find yourself in the Dallas/Fort Worth area stop by the =
Crow Collection of Asian Art.
Chao,
Rafael
=20
Rafael Molina, MFA
Assistant Professor of Art
Department of Music, Art, and Dance
Tarrant County College-Southeast Campus
2100 Southeast Parkway
Arlington, TX 76018-3144
(817) 515-3711
(817) 515-3189 fax
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