Wes Rolley on sat 21 aug 04
New Jersey's Newark Museum has a substantial collection of pottery with a=20
long list of important potters. On their WWW site=20
http://www.newarkmuseum.org/greatpots/studio.htm they have divided the=20
selection into three categories: The Beautiful Pot, The Useful Pot, The=20
Wise Pot. Some of the commentary that they make is interesting and perhaps=
=20
pertinent to this discussion.
re: The Beautiful Pot. "Unlike 'fine' art, a beautiful vessel can be an=20
end in itself. Beauty is enough. Surface, form and technique are both=20
necessary and sufficient for a beautiful pot."
There is an interesting set of assumptions here. One of them is that=20
"fine" art must have more content than just being beautiful. The other is=
=20
that, therefore, the ceramic vessel can not be considered as "fine"=20
art. Still, I like their definition of what is both "necessary and=20
sufficient" for a beautiful pot.
re: The Useful Pot. "A useful pot can certainly be a beautiful pot, and it=
=20
can also be a wise pot, but ultimately the useful vessel needs to be well=20
designed for its intended use."
Enough said.
re: The Wise Pot. "Wisdom often precludes, or at least interferes with,=20
usefulness. Beauty, too, becomes a relative thing with a wise pot."
I find this to be an example of a pessimistic view of life. It flies in=20
the face of the concept that wisdom is found in the manner by which one's=20
utensils affects their lives, day by day. If wisdom has little to do with=
=20
beauty and usefulness, then maybe all that is left is "Confrontational=20
Clay" and Adelaide Paul. I don't accept this.
Wes
"I find I have a great lot to learn =96 or unlearn. I seem to know far too=
=20
much and this knowledge obscures the really significant facts, but I am=20
getting on." -- Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Wesley C. Rolley
17211 Quail Court
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
(408)778-3024
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