mel jacobson on mon 7 oct 02
i like to think of an artist statement as a simple thing.
we do it all the time:
`hey, mel, whatcha doin, workin on?`
`i've been studying the effects of soda ash on
shino, early reduction, trying for jet black shino`. (details if desired)
`does it work?`
`yea, with the help of some real good potter friends from
around the world to encourage me, give me tips and stuff,
i get it to work most of the time.`
hey, that's great, what else?`
`oh, control of copper red, the use of lake superior sand
in white bodies for speckle, and the usual three new glaze
ideas. ` (details if desired)
`is that all?`
`all, well no, got a book done, some articles on wonderful
potter friends, planted 1500 trees and am going to
put a new hand cut birch floor in the cabin living room.
oh, and have 400 pots done for the christmas season`. (details if desired)
`hey, i thought you were retired?`
`no, just don't go to school every day.`
look at your own life, projects, ideas in your head.
tell a story.
i never do social worker, academic bull. i just tell a story
about what i think, and what i do.
it works for me, and, of course, my customers. who else is there?
the perception that an artist statement is some great
missile of academic truth and pedagog, is a concept that is planted in
many folks brain. does not have to be that. don't look
at the total b.s., blather with ego statements of the past.
just tell the truth. it is easy and the best way.
most of the college professors of art that i know and admire,
would feel that it would be fresh air to get an honest, clear
statement of fact. a story of you.
mel
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: my.pclink.com/~melpots
or try: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
vince pitelka on mon 7 oct 02
> the perception that an artist statement is some great
> missile of academic truth and pedagog, is a concept that is planted in
> many folks brain. does not have to be that. don't look
> at the total b.s., blather with ego statements of the past.
> just tell the truth. it is easy and the best way.
> most of the college professors of art that i know and admire,
> would feel that it would be fresh air to get an honest, clear
> statement of fact. a story of you.
YAY MEL! Thank you thank you for this down-to-earth wisdom. This is
exactly what I have been trying to say.
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/
Kathy McDonald on mon 7 oct 02
..............just a quick note to let everyonr know i am still around and
do from time to time
check the list,,,,,,,,mel's comment provoked a reply!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just to
prove anyone can take anything out of context,,,,
Mel...whats wrong with social workers........?????? ( we can make good
potterers too :) )
Kathy Mc..MSW
http://www.willowtreepottery.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of mel jacobson
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 3:23 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: artists statement
i like to think of an artist statement as a simple thing.
we do it all the time:
`hey, mel, whatcha doin, workin on?`
`i've been studying the effects of soda ash on
shino, early reduction, trying for jet black shino`. (details if desired)
`does it work?`
`yea, with the help of some real good potter friends from
around the world to encourage me, give me tips and stuff,
i get it to work most of the time.`
hey, that's great, what else?`
`oh, control of copper red, the use of lake superior sand
in white bodies for speckle, and the usual three new glaze
ideas. ` (details if desired)
`is that all?`
`all, well no, got a book done, some articles on wonderful
potter friends, planted 1500 trees and am going to
put a new hand cut birch floor in the cabin living room.
oh, and have 400 pots done for the christmas season`. (details if desired)
`hey, i thought you were retired?`
`no, just don't go to school every day.`
look at your own life, projects, ideas in your head.
tell a story.
i never do social worker, academic bull. i just tell a story
about what i think, and what i do.
it works for me, and, of course, my customers. who else is there?
the perception that an artist statement is some great
missile of academic truth and pedagog, is a concept that is planted in
many folks brain. does not have to be that. don't look
at the total b.s., blather with ego statements of the past.
just tell the truth. it is easy and the best way.
most of the college professors of art that i know and admire,
would feel that it would be fresh air to get an honest, clear
statement of fact. a story of you.
mel
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: my.pclink.com/~melpots
or try: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
____________________________________________________________________________
__
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.
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Barbara Mueller on mon 7 oct 02
Friends are hanging a show (wooden folk art) at the Art Spirit Gallery
here in Coeur d' Alene Id. (Opens Oct 11th come if you are in the area
its amazing) The gallery owner of course asked for the "artist
statement."
They have had a journey in Art. Graduated from the Art Institute in
Kansas, I think Allen did fiber and Mary Dee did clay. Have been on a
journey every since of color, and form. They hemmed and hawed for days
over what to write. It just didn't seem natural to them. Finally Allen
who also writes for the local paper decided to use his pen name and
pretend he was interviewing himself and Mary Dee. It was a vehicle to
say what they wanted to say without feeling uncomfortable. When they
brought it to the gallery, the owner's response was that he needed an
artist statement that he could send to the press as part of the press
release. That it was an important part of what he used to get the word
out. Pictures and the artist statement were part of his press packet
for each show.
So there is more then just putting the stuff on the wall at the show. It
was part of his advertising.
Besides, people like the story. It's another way to encourage a more
intimate connection with the work. If you can't write it yourself ask a
friend to help you, ask you questions about what they are interested in
knowing about what you do, how you think about it, how you feel about.
It might be the catalyst you need. Trade a pot, get a statement.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On
Behalf Of mel jacobson
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 12:23 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: artists statement
i like to think of an artist statement as a simple thing.
we do it all the time:
`hey, mel, whatcha doin, workin on?`
`i've been studying the effects of soda ash on
shino, early reduction, trying for jet black shino`. (details if
desired)
`does it work?`
`yea, with the help of some real good potter friends from
around the world to encourage me, give me tips and stuff,
i get it to work most of the time.`
hey, that's great, what else?`
`oh, control of copper red, the use of lake superior sand
in white bodies for speckle, and the usual three new glaze
ideas. ` (details if desired)
`is that all?`
`all, well no, got a book done, some articles on wonderful
potter friends, planted 1500 trees and am going to
put a new hand cut birch floor in the cabin living room.
oh, and have 400 pots done for the christmas season`. (details if
desired)
`hey, i thought you were retired?`
`no, just don't go to school every day.`
look at your own life, projects, ideas in your head.
tell a story.
i never do social worker, academic bull. i just tell a story
about what i think, and what i do.
it works for me, and, of course, my customers. who else is there?
the perception that an artist statement is some great
missile of academic truth and pedagog, is a concept that is planted in
many folks brain. does not have to be that. don't look
at the total b.s., blather with ego statements of the past.
just tell the truth. it is easy and the best way.
most of the college professors of art that i know and admire,
would feel that it would be fresh air to get an honest, clear
statement of fact. a story of you.
mel
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: my.pclink.com/~melpots
or try: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
________________________________________________________________________
______
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.
Wagoner, Charles on tue 8 oct 02
It is hard to believe that there is anyone that is really right or wrong about what is or isn't
right for an appropriate statement. If someone does not like well written academic verbosity
then that is OK. But calling things crap because the writer seeks to use language in an
advanced way or explain motives with esoteric thoughts and language seems to reflect more
on the person who judges then the person who is expounding. It only makes sense that when
one tries to communicate to an audience that they take into account the nature of that
audience.
Here is one of my favorite statements from a show of Native American Art,
TRUMAN LOWE (Winnebago)
This is what I am trying to do.
To capture that image
formed in an obscure place
where past, present, and future are at one.
To know the universe for a moment
on paper, with pigment or with sawdust.
Potter Wagoner
45 miles west of INDY
"I just make pots that I hope people will like and use."
Cwag@abcs.com
cwagoner@nvc.k12.in.us
http://abcs.com/cwag
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