wayneinkeywest on sat 10 jul 04
If I can interject one small, yet important thought into
this discussion about bamboo and handles.
When the Japanese make handles, they use what they
know, they use what they have. I can't imagine a potter
in Japan saying "oh, I have to wait for a delivery from
Australia of Eucalyptus branches to make these handles"
just as I can't imagine a Minnesota farmer saying "oh,
I have to wait for that delivery of Siberian Muskoxen manure
before I plant my corn". Nonsense. We use what we have.
People in the Appalachians learned to make furniture with
willow, cane, small branches of basswood and chokecherry.
It was available, it was regional, it was _right there_.
It's what helps define a tradition sometimes, that use of local,
indigenous materials.
Every potter that through the ages has dug their
own clay, used local rock for their glaze ingredient has known
this. Better to use what's right there. Easier to get, less
distance to haul, makes work unique. Win-win-win.
In Thailand and Kampuchea (Cambodia) now, they make the
most amazing rugs from water hyacinth stem.
Makes great table placemats, too, since it's easily woven
when it's wet. Saw that in a Pier One catalog. Went out to my
turtle pond
and grabbed a few handfuls. Darn right. Turtles weren't too
happy, but it was an experiment that worked. Weaves into great,
stiff, rope-like handles, too. Hmmmm...maybe palm frond next...
you get the idea.
Use what you have available locally. It will help define your local
tradition, mark your work as YOUR work. Unique is not a bad thing.
(And no, I'm not saying that it's not ok to use bamboo or anything
else. The look of some work requires specific materials. )
Wayne Seidl
Key West, Florida, USA
North America, Terra
Latitude 81.45W, Longitude 24.33N
Elevation 3.1 feet (1m)
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