mel jacobson on sun 19 dec 04
one of the points that david and tony bring
to clayart this weekend is:
they are both very skilled and talented
potters. both have vast experience and
knowledge. they have a style that belongs to
them.
it takes years to make it happen.
often in some circles skill and wisdom and
the learning of skill is mixed up with
`PERFECTIONISM`.
they have little to do with each other.
one can have great skill and throw very casually.
one can have tremendous knowledge of glazes and
glaze very casually. it looks sloppy, or unkept, but
it really is very important to the style of the pieces.
it is more about timing than perfection.
the old 90's denial of skill to pursue great art is
almost dead. those that keep beating that old horse
are finding it has little or no reliable outcomes. those that
want to keep it `at all cost` are becoming `has beens`.
mixing great ideas, great skill and knowledge of materials
is the new breed of artist. clayart is helping bring that
about.
we are seeing it happen all the time. weaving, jewelry,
glass sculpture, bronze work and of course great ceramic
that is craft based. the world is really tired of reading
statements instead of seeing fine, high quality art.
we hear the new beat all the time.
at my show:
`mel, what a refreshing time to come to your studio,
nice pots, we know what to do with them, and
we are proud to give them as gifts.`.
`mel, it is wonderful to look at nice pots instead of
the awful work at the walker art center...frightening
junk`.
time after time i hear the same story. it comes to me all
the time when i teach around the country. many students
that want to learn, know, have skill. often i talk to kids
that have been turned away from art programs because they
want to throw pots or learn to fire and glaze. `we don't do
that skill stuff here`. so, they move on, often feeling embarrassed
and worthless. but, they are not. they fight against an old
worn out philosophy.
i have seen more of the st. john's bible project. amazing
skill and craftsmanship. it is a definitive project of our time.
wait and see, wait and see. you all will be thrilled.
matters not your religious affiliation....it is a wonderful
work of art and skilled craftsmanship. i am so proud to
be a part of it.
and, yes, skill, knowledge of materials makes
the craft come alive. person to person, pass it on.
we are all blessed to be clay people.
be proud, stand tall, and never be afraid to admit that you
are a craftsperson.
mel
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: my.pclink.com/~melpots
or try: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
new/ http://www.rid-a-tick.com
Lee Love on mon 20 dec 04
There is a big difference between "loose throwing" and throwing
that has feeling and gesture. Every beginner throws "loose." The
pots I like best are ones that can't be made by a machine. They have
feeling that only a sensitive artist can create.
Looking at Hamada's work, especially what you see in the
shops around Mashiko, you see many very ugly pots attributed to him. I
believe that because he gave himself license to make ugly pots, the
gems were allowed to happen.
Also, like in the calligraphy Mel was talking about, a
devotional attitude is essential. Rather than the art being simply a
vehicle for the artist/craftsman, the artist/craftsman becomes a
vehicle for the art.
As Clay Mudman says, "As the potter throws the clay,
the clay throws the potter."
--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan http://mashiko.org
http://www.livejournal.com/users/togeika/ WEB LOG
http://public.fotki.com/togeika/ Photos!
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