Janet Kaiser on thu 22 jan 04
EEK!!! It is a really kind thought, but no thanks! I was not
really following the thread, as "wheel-thrown" in the subject
line excluded tiles to my mind... Now that pre-school children
have also been mentioned too, it is perhaps the right moment to
say something "official" about the International Potters' Path.
This, as always, is at the risk of alienating individuals, but
there is not other way of saying: PLEASE do not class The Path as
a project for beginners of any age, because it really is not!
We already have a great many tiles which we cannot use... About
100 which are mostly and very sadly from schools and institutions
across a whole age range... The specifications are pretty strict
for health & safety reasons as well as to ensure architectural &
historical integrity. As it takes "advanced" students, teachers
and even professionals who are quite accustomed to working to
clients specifications, etc. all their time to comply/fulfil, let
alone little/old ones who are not fully aware of what they are
doing or how to achieve what needs to be done! Lack of direction
by some teachers/supervisors often means that all the enthusiasm
the makers invested is wasted. This is/was just one of many
reasons we started insisting that this is a Potters' Path, made
by Potters for Potters...
I know anyone and everyone who lays a finger on clay is qualified
as a "Potter" by many, but most of you know me a little better!
We therefore suggest that teachers undertake their own project
with pupils/students in schools/classes to enhance their own
environment or improve some public space in their own home town.
There is usually huge scope for this. Some schools have done that
as well as sending the best tile/s to The International Potters'
Path... A great decision and a fair compromise.
It may sound mean and elitist, but it is far kinder than having
people make unsuitable tiles which will not be used. I also think
that teachers are taking a lot for granted thinking that this
international project is open to all-comers including children
and beginners... It is neither an all-inclusive project nor was
that the original intention as the title infers: The
International Potters`Path.
Sorry if this puts anyone's nose out of joint... But we not only
wish to maintain the highest standard so the end result will
survive for decades is not hundreds of year, we are actually
required to be selective by other considerations... A broken leg
through slipping or tripping on a sub-standard tile is not a good
idea, especially when it is preventable and a known hazard /
risk... Consequences could be both upsetting and an economic
disaster... Even when covered by a 3 million public liability
insurance policy!
Sincerely
Janet Kaiser
*** IN REPLY TO THE FOLLOWING MAIL:
>How 'bout making tiles for Janet's path?
***END***
***********************************************************
The Chapel of Art : Capel Celfyddyd
8 Marine Crescent : Criccieth : Wales : UK
Home of The International Potters' Path
Tel: ++44 (01766) 523570 http://www.the-coa.org.uk
************* Virus Protection by AVG *****************
BOYCOTT COCA-COLA NOW!!
Make them stop stealing water for their
bottling plant in Southern India!!
"A world in perfect harmony"? So what happened?
***********************************************************
| |
|
