Paul Herman on wed 17 aug 05
John Hesselberth,
You just wrote regarding "certification":
> Every time this subject comes up on Clayart, the world of potters rises
> up to smite the person proposing standards (me this time, I guess),
Has someone been smiting you off list? As I remember it, the last time
you beat on your little "certification" drum here on Clayart, you got
ZERO response. Not a single reply. Have you been smitten by figments?
I think there's not much interest.
Happy drumming,
Paul Herman
Great Basin Pottery
Doyle, California US
http://www.greatbasinpottery.com/
----------
>From: John Hesselberth
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Re: Misc: art and brains, ginger ale, Taylor, and PINGING HISSY FIT!
>Date: Wed, Aug 17, 2005, 11:34 AM
>
joethepotter1948 on thu 18 aug 05
Well said, John. Count me in with Lili also: there IS a difference
between artistic expression and competent craftsmanship, and pinging
on functional wares (or anything that some loon may attempt to use
as a functional ware!) just doesn't hack it with me.
We might be wise to learn from other industries' experiences.
Twenty five years ago I heard a respected cattle breeder make a
statement regarding performance cattle, which went something like
this: "Measure performance and select for it, then learn to like
what those performing cattle look like; stop trying to make "pretty"
cattle perform!" The industry finally did move that direction,
leaving behind those who refused to change. Perhaps we should apply
that same philosophy to pottery: "Build glazes that fit the clay
body and that perform within acceptable leaching limits, and learn
to be happy with what we have. We won't change chemistry or
physics, so we should work at mastering a standard of craftsmanship
within irrevocable scientific laws. I'm convinced there are many,
many glazes in a wide range of colors, which fit acceptable
performance standards while being pleasing to the eye.
I'm not against exploration and testing, but I am opposed to
adamantly defying common sense in dealing with the results of those
experiments and tests, particularly regarding crazing and
leaching.
Joe
still hissing, but feeling smugly better about it now that I've
joined in the fit. :)
--- In clayart@yahoogroups.com, John Hesselberth wrote:
> On Wednesday, August 17, 2005, at 01:52 PM, Lili Krakowski wrote:
>
> > There is no secret to non crazing pots. This gets explained and
> > explained.
> > The glaze has to fit the pot which has to be fired to correct
temp.
> > Period.
> > There is no mystery. If an "instructor" does not know how to
buy
> > glaze
> > that fits the pots there are two possibilities. Indifference,
or a
> > misinforming supplier.
>
> Hi Lili,
>
> I will certainly join you in being indignant.
Unfortunately, there are no standards.
I could go on and on.
Every time this subject comes up on Clayart, the world of potters
rises
> up to smite the person proposing standards (me this time, I
guess), but
> I submit we will never be accepted by the world at large as
> professionals until we do some serious self-policing. There is way
too
> much garbage being made and sold and there are way too
many "teachers"
> who shouldn't be. And you don't have to self-police on artistic
content
> where so much controversy would be involved. Just on craftsmanship
> where the basics are pretty clear. And understanding the cause of
> pinging pots is a good example.
>
> Regards,
>
> John
>
>
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