Chris Clyburn on thu 7 nov 02
One thing I will always be greatful to my ceramics proffessor for is
instilling a sense of spirituality with clay. He says that before you can
center the clay, you must center yourself. We live in a time where we are
devoid of ritual in daily life and ritual is what helps one to focus and
remain centered. So for me the act of wedging the clay is an opening
ritual leading me into that center where all is peaceful and I can throw
whatever I want. I have found that if I hurry or try to be effecient by
wedging all I would need for the next day, that next day I can't throw
because I forgot to center myself.
When I wedge the clay I begin to know it, and learn its patterns, creating
a dialogue with the clay that continues throughout a piece's construction.
I can never think of wedging, or any aspect of throwing, even the clean
up, as tedious or menial because it is all integrated and helps to focus
the mind and to carry that focus through to the next day and the next
throwing. Each artform I do has its own ritual and without it, that chain
falls apart and the art fails. If you've never tried throwing after you
have completely centered yourself, I highly reccomend you do, and then try
and throw soemthing blindfolded (I had to for my Pottery 1 midterm a
couple of years ago). I assure you you will come out of the experience
changed.
Chris Clyburn
| |
|
