Norman van der Sluys on fri 3 oct 03
Yesterday, while in Grand Rapids (Michigan, USA) I went to the Meijer
Gardens and saw their current exhibition, "Quiet Beauty: Fifty Centuries
of Japanese Folk Ceramics." The show spans, with 100 objects, the
traditions of Japanese pottery from 3000 bce to the present. I arrived
late, a half-hour before closing, and was wondering as I entered if it
was worth the admission price for such a short time. I was stunned!
There, in two exhibition rooms, were objects I had seen before in books,
(or very similar examples) but had never seen "in the flesh" I can't
begin to express the vibrancy of many of these works. I was also struck
withthe similarities I saw to aspects of my work - mine, of course does
not compare in expression or skill! - which worked to make the whole
experience even more inspiring for me.
There were a few pieces by Hamada, Shimaoka, and Bernard Leach, which
made for an interesting comparison. I was struck by the liveliness of
the form in many of these pots, including one tall bottle or vase which
was very conventional in a western sense, but whose neck was tilted at a
3 degree angle, something that before this exhibit I would have thrown
into the reclaim bucket. There were slightly asymmetrical bottle rims
as well. I can see that in struggling with technique my eyes have been
closed to a quality of form that is alive and envigorating. I noted
especially the poured glaze effects, so simply done and expressive of
process.
I urge all of you who are within travelling distance to see this show.
It will be there into January, and will not be shown anywhere else in
the midwest. The usual disclaimers apply - I have no connection with
Meijer Gardens or the organizers of this exhibition.
--
Norman van der Sluys
Benona Pottery
Near the shore of Lake Michigan waiting for the wind and rain to stop so
I can load and fire my kiln. Then, back to the wheel to try some of the
things that I saw yesterday
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