search  current discussion  categories  techniques - throwing 

throwing mirrors, a critical analysis.

updated sat 10 apr 04

 

Ivor and Olive Lewis on wed 7 apr 04


Dear Friends,
A mirror located in the most appropriate place and oriented at the
optimum angle gives a viewpoint from a perspective which cannot be
obtained when a potter is throwing in a sitting or standing position.
Consider these advantages;
It helps to increase the distance from which the pot is being viewed,
essentially lengthening the focal length of our vision. This allows us
to assess the proportions of the form, the relationships between
height and width and we see a truer representation of the proportions
of the elements which compose the form.
It assists in giving an appreciation of the contours without those
foreshortening effects of direct viewing from an overhead angle or
through having one's eyes placed on an inclined plane when leaning
over to get one's head level with the centre of the pot.
The distance between our eyes and the pot is insufficient for us to
see contours which are located on the diametral plane of a pot, The
contours we see are closer to the face nearest to us as we work.
Depending on the nature of the inflections in the contour, they may
appear stronger or weaker than they are when seen from a distance.
This is an effect due to Perspective, a proposition which is
infrequently discussed in the assessment or critical appraisal of Work
made on the wheel.
Should you disagree with these observations I would appreciate your
detailed and factual rebuttal.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia

=?iso-8859-1?q?Marilu=20Tejero?= on wed 7 apr 04


Well said Ivor...!!!!! You're my heroe.

Ivor and Olive Lewis wrote:Dear Friends,
A mirror located in the most appropriate place and oriented at the
optimum angle gives a viewpoint from a perspective which cannot be
obtained when a potter is throwing in a sitting or standing position.
Consider these advantages;
It helps to increase the distance from which the pot is being viewed,
essentially lengthening the focal length of our vision. This allows us
to assess the proportions of the form, the relationships between
height and width and we see a truer representation of the proportions
of the elements which compose the form.
It assists in giving an appreciation of the contours without those
foreshortening effects of direct viewing from an overhead angle or
through having one's eyes placed on an inclined plane when leaning
over to get one's head level with the centre of the pot.
The distance between our eyes and the pot is insufficient for us to
see contours which are located on the diametral plane of a pot, The
contours we see are closer to the face nearest to us as we work.
Depending on the nature of the inflections in the contour, they may
appear stronger or weaker than they are when seen from a distance.
This is an effect due to Perspective, a proposition which is
infrequently discussed in the assessment or critical appraisal of Work
made on the wheel.
Should you disagree with these observations I would appreciate your
detailed and factual rebuttal.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia

______________________________________________________________________________
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.




http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Exhibit/3051







---------------------------------
Do You Yahoo!?
Todo lo que quieres saber de Estados Unidos, América Latina y el resto del Mundo.
Visíta Yahoo! Noticias.

Ivor and Olive Lewis on thu 8 apr 04


Dear Marilu Tejero,
Thanks for the accolade.
As you may gather, I do use a mirror. It is 12 ins high and 6 ins
wide. This allows me to view pots up to 24 inches high and 12 inches
wide. If I cannot see all of the pot, it will not fit into my kiln.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia