clennell on mon 3 may 04
John H wrote:
>
> I like the statement that 'skill and knowledge enable creativity'. They
> don't assure it, but you cannot fully develop your creative capability
> without the skill and knowledge to enable it.
>
> Your statement above is exactly why we see so much crap being made from
> people who think they are being 'creative'. They refuse to acquire the
> necessary skills and knowledge because they think it will confine them.
> As they used to say on Laugh In -- Bullfeathers!
John: I have seen some of the most lame pots from the most knowledgeable
potters, the most incredible pots from the simplist of people, the ugliest
pots from the most beautiful kilns and studios, the best pots from the
ugliest kilns and the most decrepet conditions.
I think some have an innate ability to make things well. all the book
learnin' in the world doesn't a fine craftsperson make.
I think that it is not because people refuse to acquire skills and knowledge
that they make crap- I think you have it or you don't! Some people could go
to residencies, workshops, MFA programmes, study Insight till they are blue
in the face and still make crap.
I've made my fair share of crap and I'll probably make some more. It's hard
work to be on all the time.
cheers,
Tony
Ivor and Olive Lewis on tue 4 may 04
Dear Tony,
If you can subscribe to the notion that Hands are extensions of our
Brain, then "doing" is a part of the process of "thinking".
Manual Labour is an intellectual pursuit.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia
John Hesselberth on tue 4 may 04
On Monday, May 3, 2004, at 08:20 PM, clennell wrote:
> I think that it is not because people refuse to acquire skills and
> knowledge
> that they make crap- I think you have it or you don't! Some people
> could go
> to residencies, workshops, MFA programmes, study Insight till they are
> blue
> in the face and still make crap.
Tony, I didn't mean to imply that all people who have skills and
knowledge make good stuff. I agree some could study forever and still
make crap. I do believe, though, that skills and knowledge are an
enabler, not a retardant to making good pots. And skills and knowledge
don't have to come from book learning, workshops, studying Insight, etc
-- they come from a variety of sources including just being observant
as you work. There are a lot of self taught highly knowledgeable people
who gain their skills and knowledge from a variety of sources.
But I do believe there is an attitude among some that skills and
knowledge get in the way of creativity. That is what I think is utter
nonsense. That attitude is more a sign of arrogance and/or laziness in
my view.
Have a great time in Japan!
John
John Hesselberth
http://www.frogpondpottery.com
http://www.masteringglazes.com
Lee Love on tue 4 may 04
John Hesselberth wrote:
> But I do believe there is an attitude among some that skills and
> knowledge get in the way of creativity. That is what I think is utter
> nonsense.
I have never seen anybody express a view here that knowledge and
skill get in the way of creativity. I'd enjoy seeing any quotes.
> That attitude is more a sign of arrogance and/or laziness in
> my view.
To me, the ultimate arrogance is to think that there is only one
way to do something. It might be okay for a teacher to behave this
way, in the close circle of his students, but it doesn't hold water in a
diverse public forum. It is also laziness that allows us to think
ourway is the only way, because if we stretch a little bit, (takes some
personal effort) we can realize that there are other methods, approaches
and cultures as valid as the ones we personally cherish.
--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan http://mashiko.org
http://potters.blogspot.com/ Commentary On Pottery
Victor Levin on wed 5 may 04
On Monday, May 3, 2004, at 08:20 PM, Clennell wrote:
> I think that it is not because people refuse to acquire skills and
> knowledge
> that they make crap- I think you have it or you don't! Some people
> could go
> to residencies, workshops, MFA programmes, study Insight till they are
> blue
> in the face and still make crap.
Tony, I find this to be a bizarre attitude coming from one who is
employed as a teacher in a fine ceramics school. Aren't you getting
paid to teach how to make a good pot. I assume they could make a bad
pot without your input.
If you are born with it then, I assume that your pots never get any
better. So your first pot is as good as your last one? Certainly,
that cant be true.
We all learn how to make better pots every day. We may not be paying
full attention. We may be faster or slower to see a pots good
features. But we can't be wasting our time after the first day. If no
improvement (in any endeavor), why bother?
I hope and expect the exposure to Japanese work in such intimate
surroundings will improve your work too. I own half a dozen pieces
you have made. I look forward to adding to them. But not if there is
no change and change and improvement have to be learned.
Keep your eyes and mind open.
Best Regards,
Victor
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