dannon rhudy on mon 26 sep 05
"Respecting" does not mean saying only nice things
about any work. It doesn't mean liking, either. It
is perfectly RESPECTable to describe specific things
about work that we find appealing or unappealing,
workmanlike or otherwise. Indeed, any comment
meant as critique of work should not be taken in
a personal way. "This work seems sterile to me"
does not translate into a personal remark regarding
the maker. Neither does "this work seems sensuous,
tactile, delicious" refer to the maker in a personal way.
Everyone does not "like" everything, and it is silly to
expect it. An open exchange of critical comment
is one of the main reasons for a list such as this. "I
don't like Billy's work" doesn't mean I don't like
Billy - though I may not, but that is neither here nor
there. One of the most difficult things to teach students
is that critical comment does not require "liking" or
"not liking" (my students could not use that word,
during critiques, because it is without meaning there).
I don't believe that the list should be sterilized, or
that it would be in any way helpful. Most of us use
this list as a place to learn - there is a ton of information.
One of the things every artist/potter/craftsman/ needs to
learn at the earliest opportunity is to listen to critical
comment with as open a mind & eye as it is possible to
do. There's a lot to learn from other's views, and we
may accept what is helpful to us, and reject the rest
with enthusiasm- and a critical eye of our own.
regards
Dannon Rhudy.
> i believe that saying they're "dull as dishwater", among other snipes
about
> their size in regard to their price, are insults.
>
John Baymore on fri 30 sep 05
Boy.... I LOVE someone who knows how to do marketing and market
positioning!
best,
................john
John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086 USA
JBaymore@compuserve.com
http://www.JohnBaymore.com
"Please use compuserve address for any direct communications."
Frank Gaydos on fri 30 sep 05
Perfection in a pot
Ceramicist Teresa Chang is well known for her line of handmade =
dinnerware. Glazed in the palest tones of pumpkin, ginger, celadon and =
cream, her modern designs have been featured in the pages of such =
magazines as O, Elle Decor, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, and Lucky.
But recently, Chang set herself a new challenge in clay: building a =
better teapot.
"Most teapots don't work very well," said Chang, 40, who works out of a =
studio near Chinatown and sells her pottery through her Web site, =
www.teresachang.com. "They dribble, or they're hard to pick up, or the =
lid falls off."
Her new one-of-a-kind teapots, which sell for about $600, are guaranteed =
to do none of the above. In fact, Chang, who offers a range of designs =
from traditional to Asian-inspired, won't sell a pot until it passes her =
own tea-brewing test.
"The lid has to be a perfect fit, so no air gets in," she said. Also key =
is the pour, which should not only be dripless but flow in a steady, =
unbroken stream. "Ideally, you want to have at least three inches of =
quiet before it breaks up."
Chang originally trained as an architect, but her interest in teapots =
grew out of a series of workshops she took with a Taiwanese master =
potter, Ah Leon. "The first time I saw him work, it was almost like =
watching a wizard," she recalled. "The level of skill was like nothing =
I'd ever seen. I think he must know more about teapots than anyone in =
the world."
Leon, she said, has done stop-motion photographic studies of teapots =
pouring, and compiled treatises on the proper curve and structure of =
handles and the optimum angles for attaching spouts to teapot bodies. =
Chang keeps those reference works close to hand when she's shaping her =
own pots, which can take more than 30 hours to create.
"I'm kind of crazy in my obsession with this. But even with my dishes, =
I've always been really interested in function."
Teresa Chang's workshop, 340 N. 12th St. (215-627-4070), is not usually =
open to the public. But from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16, she will =
offer seconds and samples of her dinnerware ($22-$155) at discounted =
prices during the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours. (For information: =
215-546-7775 or www.post.cfeva.org.)
Frank Gaydos
"Space is the breath
of art."
=20
-Frank Lloyd Wright =20
Antoinette Badenhorst on mon 3 oct 05
I would like to handle those teapots one at a time. The spouts look very
well designed. Some of the handles look very interesting, but some look =
too
small for handling hot tea. I also wonder how the long handles would =
allow
one to control the weight of a full teapot. Of cause if she put so much =
time
into making and designing them, she would have taken all of those into
consideration. The very disadvantage that I have in making my comments =
is
the facts that I can only look at images that might not do the work =
justice.
I do love her simple colors and designs.=20
Antoinette Badenhorst
105 Westwood Circle
Saltillo MS, 38866
www.clayandcanvas.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Frank =
Gaydos
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 4:26 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: $600.00 Tea pot
Perfection in a pot
Ceramicist Teresa Chang is well known for her line of handmade =
dinnerware.
Glazed in the palest tones of pumpkin, ginger, celadon and cream, her =
modern
designs have been featured in the pages of such magazines as O, Elle =
Decor,
InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, and Lucky.
But recently, Chang set herself a new challenge in clay: building a =
better
teapot.
"Most teapots don't work very well," said Chang, 40, who works out of a
studio near Chinatown and sells her pottery through her Web site,
www.teresachang.com. "They dribble, or they're hard to pick up, or the =
lid
falls off."
Her new one-of-a-kind teapots, which sell for about $600, are guaranteed =
to
do none of the above. In fact, Chang, who offers a range of designs from
traditional to Asian-inspired, won't sell a pot until it passes her own
tea-brewing test.
"The lid has to be a perfect fit, so no air gets in," she said. Also key =
is
the pour, which should not only be dripless but flow in a steady, =
unbroken
stream. "Ideally, you want to have at least three inches of quiet before =
it
breaks up."
Chang originally trained as an architect, but her interest in teapots =
grew
out of a series of workshops she took with a Taiwanese master potter, Ah
Leon. "The first time I saw him work, it was almost like watching a =
wizard,"
she recalled. "The level of skill was like nothing I'd ever seen. I =
think he
must know more about teapots than anyone in the world."
Leon, she said, has done stop-motion photographic studies of teapots
pouring, and compiled treatises on the proper curve and structure of =
handles
and the optimum angles for attaching spouts to teapot bodies. Chang =
keeps
those reference works close to hand when she's shaping her own pots, =
which
can take more than 30 hours to create.
"I'm kind of crazy in my obsession with this. But even with my dishes, =
I've
always been really interested in function."
Teresa Chang's workshop, 340 N. 12th St. (215-627-4070), is not usually =
open
to the public. But from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16, she will offer
seconds and samples of her dinnerware ($22-$155) at discounted prices =
during
the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours. (For information: 215-546-7775 or
www.post.cfeva.org.)
Frank Gaydos
"Space is the breath
of art."
=20
-Frank Lloyd Wright =20
_________________________________________________________________________=
___
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Randall Moody on mon 3 oct 05
Is it just me or are those teapots dull as dishwater? I would rather have a
teapot that dribbles a little and has some life to it over those clinical,
sterile teapots. But, hey if she can sell them for $600 then more power to
her.
On 9/30/05, Frank Gaydos wrote:
>
> Perfection in a pot
>
>
>
>
> Ceramicist Teresa Chang is well known for her line of handmade dinnerware=
.
> Glazed in the palest tones of pumpkin, ginger, celadon and cream, her mod=
ern
> designs have been featured in the pages of such magazines as O, Elle Deco=
r,
> InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, and Lucky.
>
> But recently, Chang set herself a new challenge in clay: building a bette=
r
> teapot.
>
> "Most teapots don't work very well," said Chang, 40, who works out of a
> studio near Chinatown and sells her pottery through her Web site,
> www.teresachang.com . "They dribble, or
> they're hard to pick up, or the lid falls off."
>
> Her new one-of-a-kind teapots, which sell for about $600, are guaranteed
> to do none of the above. In fact, Chang, who offers a range of designs fr=
om
> traditional to Asian-inspired, won't sell a pot until it passes her own
> tea-brewing test.
>
> "The lid has to be a perfect fit, so no air gets in," she said. Also key
> is the pour, which should not only be dripless but flow in a steady,
> unbroken stream. "Ideally, you want to have at least three inches of quie=
t
> before it breaks up."
>
> Chang originally trained as an architect, but her interest in teapots gre=
w
> out of a series of workshops she took with a Taiwanese master potter, Ah
> Leon. "The first time I saw him work, it was almost like watching a wizar=
d,"
> she recalled. "The level of skill was like nothing I'd ever seen. I think=
he
> must know more about teapots than anyone in the world."
>
> Leon, she said, has done stop-motion photographic studies of teapots
> pouring, and compiled treatises on the proper curve and structure of hand=
les
> and the optimum angles for attaching spouts to teapot bodies. Chang keeps
> those reference works close to hand when she's shaping her own pots, whic=
h
> can take more than 30 hours to create.
>
> "I'm kind of crazy in my obsession with this. But even with my dishes,
> I've always been really interested in function."
>
> Teresa Chang's workshop, 340 N. 12th St. (215-627-4070), is not usually
> open to the public. But from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16, she will offe=
r
> seconds and samples of her dinnerware ($22-$155) at discounted prices dur=
ing
> the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours. (For information: 215-546-7775 or
> www.post.cfeva.org.)
>
> Frank Gaydos
>
> "Space is the breath
> of art."
>
> -Frank Lloyd Wright
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________________=
_____
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Jeanette Harris on mon 3 oct 05
>Is it just me or are those teapots dull as dishwater? I would rather have a
>teapot that dribbles a little and has some life to it over those clinical,
>sterile teapots. But, hey if she can sell them for $600 then more power to
>her.
I have almost the exact same teapot as the fat, round ones and I
bought it in the '60's at a Japanese import store. The tall handle
with three shafts is a copy of an old Chinese pot. My reference file
has that design and many other variations on that kind of handle. The
steam hole incorporation and teabag slot are interesting innovations,
though.
Like Mel-san's Japanese teacher says, "Nothing new."
--
Jeanette Harris
Poulsbo WA
Potter's Council member
Chris Schafale on mon 3 oct 05
Notice that the ones with the small handles also have very small capacities
-- 3.5-4 oz!
Chris
At 09:01 AM 10/03/2005, you wrote:
>I would like to handle those teapots one at a time. The spouts look very
>well designed. Some of the handles look very interesting, but some look too
>small for handling hot tea. I also wonder how the long handles would allow
>one to control the weight of a full teapot. Of cause if she put so much time
>into making and designing them, she would have taken all of those into
>consideration. The very disadvantage that I have in making my comments is
>the facts that I can only look at images that might not do the work justice.
>I do love her simple colors and designs.
>
>Antoinette Badenhorst
>105 Westwood Circle
>Saltillo MS, 38866
>www.clayandcanvas.com
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Frank Gaydos
>Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 4:26 PM
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: $600.00 Tea pot
>
>Perfection in a pot
>
>
>
>
>Ceramicist Teresa Chang is well known for her line of handmade dinnerware.
>Glazed in the palest tones of pumpkin, ginger, celadon and cream, her modern
>designs have been featured in the pages of such magazines as O, Elle Decor,
>InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, and Lucky.
>
>But recently, Chang set herself a new challenge in clay: building a better
>teapot.
>
>"Most teapots don't work very well," said Chang, 40, who works out of a
>studio near Chinatown and sells her pottery through her Web site,
>www.teresachang.com. "They dribble, or they're hard to pick up, or the lid
>falls off."
>
>Her new one-of-a-kind teapots, which sell for about $600, are guaranteed to
>do none of the above. In fact, Chang, who offers a range of designs from
>traditional to Asian-inspired, won't sell a pot until it passes her own
>tea-brewing test.
>
>"The lid has to be a perfect fit, so no air gets in," she said. Also key is
>the pour, which should not only be dripless but flow in a steady, unbroken
>stream. "Ideally, you want to have at least three inches of quiet before it
>breaks up."
>
>Chang originally trained as an architect, but her interest in teapots grew
>out of a series of workshops she took with a Taiwanese master potter, Ah
>Leon. "The first time I saw him work, it was almost like watching a wizard,"
>she recalled. "The level of skill was like nothing I'd ever seen. I think he
>must know more about teapots than anyone in the world."
>
>Leon, she said, has done stop-motion photographic studies of teapots
>pouring, and compiled treatises on the proper curve and structure of handles
>and the optimum angles for attaching spouts to teapot bodies. Chang keeps
>those reference works close to hand when she's shaping her own pots, which
>can take more than 30 hours to create.
>
>"I'm kind of crazy in my obsession with this. But even with my dishes, I've
>always been really interested in function."
>
>Teresa Chang's workshop, 340 N. 12th St. (215-627-4070), is not usually open
>to the public. But from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16, she will offer
>seconds and samples of her dinnerware ($22-$155) at discounted prices during
>the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours. (For information: 215-546-7775 or
>www.post.cfeva.org.)
>
>Frank Gaydos
>
>"Space is the breath
>of art."
>
>-Frank Lloyd Wright
>
>____________________________________________________________________________
>__
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
Alyssa Ettinger on tue 4 oct 05
Aside from the fact that I love Chang's work, and aspire to achieve both her
talent and her success, must we all send little nit-picky comments about her
tea-pots to Clay-Art? Why is it OK to insult her work? If we started to
insult each other's work there would be mayhem on this board.
The snide comments aren't necessary, and I'm not just writing this because
I'm a fan of Chang. I think sometimes it's easy to insult and pick-apart
artists who are doing better than we are; we'd never do this to a $25
tea-pot... Why? Insults aren't appropriate here.
Wayne on tue 4 oct 05
Phew! And a darn good thing too, Dannon!
I've grown accustomed to my various body parts over the last half
century. Don't want to start losing them now!
ROFL
Wayne "Funny, that doesn't LOOK like a fettling knife" Seidl
snip
I don't believe that the list should be sterilized, or
that it would be in any way helpful.
snip
regards
Dannon Rhudy.
Hank Murrow on tue 4 oct 05
On Oct 4, 2005, at 5:55 PM, Susan Nebeker wrote:
>
> If I had $600.00 to blow on a teapot, I'd spend it on a plane ticket=20=
> to Minneapolis and head for Minnetonka or Stillwater. Or point my car=20=
> north and drive to Heidi Haugen's in West Glacier. Just a good day's=20=
> drive, and I love that girl's work........
> Even easier, drive south an hour to Hank Murrow's. I'd probably have=20=
> enough $$ left to buy a really good plate of seafood too!
Dear Susan;
As my #1 teapots go for around $120_$150, you could buy a lot of tea=20
from Upton's and still dine very handsomely on flash-saut=E9ed Foie Gras=20=
with a nice Barsac, rack of lamb with cous-cous & roasted veggies=20
accompanied by a lovely Chateauneuf-du-Pape, followed by a cheese=20
course with more Barsac, and dessert (again, with the Barsac), caf=E9=20
optional!
And you could take me along as your guest.....seriously!
love, Hank
www.murrow.biz/hank
Jim Willett on tue 4 oct 05
-----Original Message-----
Alyssa wrote..... "how she produces on that scale, so many identical pieces,
is beyond me."
It's called production. The old practice, practice, practice....make 50 then
make 50 more.........etc. The trick is keeping the passion...... Possibly
that explains what some see as sterility..... And as you journey down that
same production highway, you may well learn about the struggle to keep that
passion...travel carefully and wisely.
Jim
Jennifer Boyer on tue 4 oct 05
There is a green tea drinking tradition that uses a tiny one-person
teapot. I think it's only the size of the teacup you use and you keep
refilling the teapot which has quite a bit to tea leaves in it.
Jennifer, who is supposed to make some of these mini's for my
son-in-law.
On Oct 3, 2005, at 9:15 PM, Chris Schafale wrote:
> Notice that the ones with the small handles also have very small
> capacities
> -- 3.5-4 oz!
>
> Chris
>
>
> At 09:01 AM 10/03/2005, you wrote:
>> I would like to handle those teapots one at a time. The spouts look
>> very
>> well designed. Some of the handles look very interesting, but some
>> look too
>> small for handling hot tea. I also wonder how the long handles would
>> allow
>> one to control the weight of a full teapot. Of cause if she put so
>> much time
>> into making and designing them, she would have taken all of those into
>> consideration. The very disadvantage that I have in making my
>> comments is
>> the facts that I can only look at images that might not do the work
>> justice.
>> I do love her simple colors and designs.
>>
>> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>
>> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>> melpots@pclink.com.
>
************************
Jennifer Boyer
Thistle Hill Pottery
Montpelier, VT
http://thistlehillpottery.com
Misty Mangham on tue 4 oct 05
I love to look at pottery and other art mediums. I really love metal. I stumbled onto this page looking for someone looking for an apprentice that I can learn from in my area. Whether a piece costs a dollar or up to a million dollars so what art is art. I think alot of times art is a state of mind.... it is all about how far you want to go with it. If that means taking apart a washing machine and using the parts to create something with it so be it just create. It shouldn't be all that difficult. You may like someones own work, but what are you doing to make works of your own.
Alyssa Ettinger wrote:Aside from the fact that I love Chang's work, and aspire to achieve both her
talent and her success, must we all send little nit-picky comments about her
tea-pots to Clay-Art? Why is it OK to insult her work? If we started to
insult each other's work there would be mayhem on this board.
The snide comments aren't necessary, and I'm not just writing this because
I'm a fan of Chang. I think sometimes it's easy to insult and pick-apart
artists who are doing better than we are; we'd never do this to a $25
tea-pot... Why? Insults aren't appropriate here.
______________________________________________________________________________
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
TOODLES,
WITH
LOVE
MISTY
---------------------------------
Yahoo! for Good
Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
Randall Moody on tue 4 oct 05
I don't see where anyone was "insulting" her work. Or are you saying that w=
e
should only say "nice" things about someone's work? If I felt that a $25
dollar teapot was well designed and yet still lifeless I would certainly sa=
y
so. I would also expect anyone to point out their percieved flaws in my
work.
> Alyssa Ettinger wrote:Aside from the fact that I love
> Chang's work, and aspire to achieve both her
> talent and her success, must we all send little nit-picky comments about
> her
> tea-pots to Clay-Art? Why is it OK to insult her work? If we started to
> insult each other's work there would be mayhem on this board.
>
> The snide comments aren't necessary, and I'm not just writing this becaus=
e
> I'm a fan of Chang. I think sometimes it's easy to insult and pick-apart
> artists who are doing better than we are; we'd never do this to a $25
> tea-pot... Why? Insults aren't appropriate here.
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________________=
_____
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
>
> TOODLES,
> WITH
> LOVE
> MISTY
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! for Good
> Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________________=
_____
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Alyssa Ettinger on tue 4 oct 05
i believe that saying they're "dull as dishwater", among other snipes about
their size in regard to their price, are insults.
i'm not going to get into an argument here, it would just be nice if we
respected her work the way we expect the others here to do for ours.
--alyssa
www.alyssaettinger.com
Jim Willett on tue 4 oct 05
An earlier remark about product placement , perceived value, and marketing
was right on. If you can get $600 for a teapot, or anything else you make in
this day of cheaper is better..."You go girl!"
Jim and Cindy
Out of the Fire Studio
http://www.outofthefirestudio.com
-----Original Message-----
i believe that saying they're "dull as dishwater", among other snipes about
their size in regard to their price, are insults.
i'm not going to get into an argument here, it would just be nice if we
respected her work the way we expect the others here to do for ours.
--alyssa
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
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Randall Moody on tue 4 oct 05
I respect that she can get $600 for her teapots but that doesn't mean that =
I
must repsect the forms etc. "Dull as dishwater" is just a more coloful was
of saying boring, stale and sterile, lifeless. Those are not meant as
insults but as critiques or my opinion of them. I still would much prefer a
pot that drips a little and has some life to it than one that pours
perfectly but is sterile.
On 10/4/05, Alyssa Ettinger wrote:
>
> i believe that saying they're "dull as dishwater", among other snipes
> about
> their size in regard to their price, are insults.
>
> i'm not going to get into an argument here, it would just be nice if we
> respected her work the way we expect the others here to do for ours.
>
> --alyssa
>
> www.alyssaettinger.com
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________________=
_____
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
earlk on tue 4 oct 05
Has anybody asked how many teapots she sells for $600?
Maybe some. Maybe none.
Earl K...
Bothell, WA, USA
Alyssa Ettinger on tue 4 oct 05
well, then it's guaranteed y'all will hate my work (saying this as a cheap
ploy for everyone to go see my new website. you'll likely see chang's
influence in my pots...) --alyssa
www.alyssaettinger.com
Susan Nebeker on tue 4 oct 05
Alyssa,
Wrong on the guarantee-
Your pots are lovely. Handthrown, elegant in their simplicity, and very much "alive". Your color palette is beautiful.
Until you shared her website, I had never heard of Chang.
Her work doesn't appeal to me either. It looks mass produced as if human hands had no part of it's production, very "sterile" in it's simplicity. I may be wrong? Dunno.
I make these observations without intent of insulting her or anyone. Just one girl's opinion here-
But, If her pieces are indeed slipcast, then especially would I raise an eyebrow at the idea of someone paying 600.00 for such teapot. It brings to mind a fave old fairy tale, The Emperor's New Clothes.
Obviously, she has a great deal of skill and has achieved a pretty decent measure of success, so more power to her in that regard.
Personally, for me it's about elitism, though I'm sure some would disagree.
Now, off to the studio with me-
Susan Nebeker
Pollywog Pottery
Alyssa Ettinger wrote:
well, then it's guaranteed y'all will hate my work (saying this as a cheap
ploy for everyone to go see my new website. you'll likely see chang's
influence in my pots...) --alyssa
www.alyssaettinger.com
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Vince Pitelka on tue 4 oct 05
One could also say it is inappropriate to send a post to Clayart criticizing
other people for posting valid criticisms of pots on a website. That is
partly what this list is for - for substantive dialogue and exchange, and
that does not mean being nice all the time. It means telling people the
TRUTH about what you think.. Anyone who posts work online is putting
themselves out there, and can expect to get some feedback. Anyone is
entitled to post any opinions about the work, and I would much rather have
people be honest about the work than to just make insipid, shallow comments
like "I really like the work" or "He/she has such a nice touch" etc. Be
specific. In my critiques at school, students are expected to make
substantive comments. That is a matter of respect for the work and the
artist, whether you like the work or not. Also, when you criticize
someone's work, you can always balanced that by pointing out the positive
attributes of the work.
To me, this comes across as another attempt to sterilize Clayart, to make it
all warm and fuzzy. That is inappropriate. It is a matter of common
decency to try to be respectful and kind, but that does not preculde the
possible of disagreement or negative criticism. One can do both.
With kindness and respect -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee Technological University
Smithville TN 37166, 615/597-6801 x111
vpitelka@dtccom.net, wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/
MoKa on tue 4 oct 05
Hi all,
Personally I loved Theresa Chang's teapots. I'm just starting out - I threw
my first pot three weeks ago (after two years of yearning to get my hands on
some clay) and was instantly hooked.
I aspire to make ANY kind of teapot. That's my aim at this point. Make a
Teapot. I would dearly love to make one that doesn't drip and flows nicely
as there's nothing more annoying than a drippy, irregular-flow pot and I do
intend to use my first hand-thrown teapot (we Brits are well known for out
tea-drinking habits!) at home as a functional kitchen object. I love that
Theresa took the time to think about this function.
I guess this debate is just proof that we are all different and appreciate
different things. I loved the shape of Theresa's teapots and could
appreciate the uninterrupted line between the pot and the lid. I also liked
her honesty in admitting to one or two of the lids not quite fitting right
(NOT the $600 one). Having been self employed in the past, I also admire
that she appreciates and understands and knows the value of her own work,
and that applies in any discipline, not just art. I didn't like most of the
handles, but that was just my own particular taste and not a criticism.
So - there we have it. My first post on the list. I've been lurking for a
week or so now and am learning loads from your conversations, although I
have to admit to just as much, if not more, going completely over my head at
this point. I promise I'll try not to ask too many dumb questions. Thanks
for having me. :o)
Kath Gibson
In Glasgow, Scotland, itching to create. Something.
On 4/10/05 4:48 pm, "Alyssa Ettinger" wrote:
> well, then it's guaranteed y'all will hate my work (saying this as a cheap
> ploy for everyone to go see my new website. you'll likely see chang's
> influence in my pots...) --alyssa
>
> www.alyssaettinger.com
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
Antoinette Badenhorst on tue 4 oct 05
Susan, If it is her own design $600 is okay. The work that goes into =
first
designing and then making (or let a mold maker make it for you) is =
extensive
and expensive. It is also not easy and any faster to pour a mold than it =
is
to throw a piece. Potters should not underestimate the work that goes =
into
molds. The casting of ceramic should not be seen as a secondhand job. We
mostly tend to think of it that way, because we are mostly exposed to =
cheap
commercial molds.=20
We also need to realize that Chang got a name that accompanies the =
product.
It is like a singer that "makes a name overnight"; the public out there =
do
not know of all the disasters and hardships that sit behind "overnight =
fame"
The public out there are willing to pay a price because they value the =
item
at that amount. They do not care how the product got there.
Antoinette Badenhorst
105 Westwood Circle
Saltillo MS, 38866
www.clayandcanvas.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Susan =
Nebeker
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 11:36 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: $600.00 Tea pot
Alyssa,
Wrong on the guarantee-
Your pots are lovely. Handthrown, elegant in their simplicity, and very
much "alive". Your color palette is beautiful.
Until you shared her website, I had never heard of Chang.
Her work doesn't appeal to me either. It looks mass produced as if =
human
hands had no part of it's production, very "sterile" in it's =
simplicity.
I may be wrong? Dunno.
I make these observations without intent of insulting her or anyone. =
Just
one girl's opinion here-
But, If her pieces are indeed slipcast, then especially would I raise an
eyebrow at the idea of someone paying 600.00 for such teapot. It brings =
to
mind a fave old fairy tale, The Emperor's New Clothes.
Obviously, she has a great deal of skill and has achieved a pretty =
decent
measure of success, so more power to her in that regard.
Personally, for me it's about elitism, though I'm sure some would =
disagree.
Now, off to the studio with me-
Susan Nebeker
Pollywog Pottery
Alyssa Ettinger wrote:
well, then it's guaranteed y'all will hate my work (saying this as a =
cheap
ploy for everyone to go see my new website. you'll likely see chang's
influence in my pots...) --alyssa
www.alyssaettinger.com
_________________________________________________________________________=
___
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
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_________________________________________________________________________=
___
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Susan Nebeker on tue 4 oct 05
Antoinette,
I'm respecting your viewpoint completely.
Mine is different though- slip-cast, mass produced pottery doesn't appeal to me.
At least not enough to spend that kind of dough for it! The process may be difficult and challenging, but for me it has no soul and lacks personality particular to a handmade pot.
If I had $600.00 to blow on a teapot, I'd spend it on a plane ticket to Minneapolis and head for Minnetonka or Stillwater. Or point my car north and drive to Heidi Haugen's in West Glacier. Just a good day's drive, and I love that girl's work........
Even easier, drive south an hour to Hank Murrow's. I'd probably have enough $$ left to buy a really good plate of seafood too!
Seriously, folks who don't blink an eye at spending that kind of money to pour tea can do whatever they want. They sure don't need my opinion- it's sure great to get to express it here, though.
Thanks,
Susan
Antoinette Badenhorst wrote:
Susan, If it is her own design $600 is okay. The work that goes into first
designing and then making (or let a mold maker make it for you) is extensive
and expensive. It is also not easy and any faster to pour a mold than it is
to throw a piece. Potters should not underestimate the work that goes into
molds.
---------------------------------
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Alyssa Ettinger on tue 4 oct 05
gak.
susan, first of all, thank you thank you for your compliments. they are
tremendously appreciated.
second, i never wanted to sterilize this board. we're going to have to agree
to disagree on this one.
ditto on many of our opinions about chang--whose work, btw, isn't slip cast.
all hand-thrown. how she produces on that scale, so many identical pieces,
is beyond me. i've always gotten the feeling that the tea-pots were
something of hidden treasures within her work. (but, again, i love her work.
and she helped me a lot, via email, when i didn't even know her at all, as i
was developing my line. i imagine this makes me hyper-sensitive on this
topic.) --alyssa
www.alyssaettinger.com
John Baymore on wed 5 oct 05
In looking at Ms. Chang's website I am struck with a number of things.
First and formost is the correlation of the website design and the
aesthetic she has in her work. They go together very well. The marketing
and the work are in harmony. The site is spare..... and quiet....and
reflects her Asian heritage and sensibilities. And she uses that clay-
related heritage to good advantage.
Second, she or her advertising people write beautiful effective clean
copy. The choice of words is powerful, and it is all about selling her
and the pieces. She is sonstantly creating or enhansing percieved value.
My guess is that copy went through many, many reviews for effectiveness.
Given the above..... I think she is a VERY good marketer. She is as
successful as she apparently is in a large part because of this. Her
background in being an architect clearly has her understanding running a
business and how to value her skills and time appropriately. You go girl!
Many of us, as potters, get very "myopic" about pricing and valuing our
time. We generally are not affluent... so we tend to price through that
experience filter. While the idea of "cheap pots for the masses" is a
noble and wonderful ideal.... you also have to pay the bills. When your
plumber charges $100 an hour.... shouldn't you make at least $25?
I can easily see why her dinnerware pots are in all those food magazines
she shows on her site. She has taken her understanding from the Asian
backkground and makes pots that are about setting off the food. They are
not directly about the pots themselves......but indirectly about
themselves. What is that old Leach quote, "Sometimes you don't go about
hitting the bullseye by aiming at the bullseye."...... or something like
that.
Many of us... particularly Americans...are trying to make the pot stand on
it's own. Big, bold, and in your face. Complete in and of itself. Great
if you are putting them on pedestals. But if you try to put food in/on
them.... you have a fist fight on your hands between the food and the pot.
Her pots say to food....... "Here ....let me help you".
Many westerners "miss" many of the the really good Japanese or Korean
pots. Walk right by them looking for the "ash and flash". Many Japanese
and Korean pots are far quieter than most of us are used to. And they
need food or drink in them to really shine.
I think this aspect might be the genesis of some of the "sterile"
comments.......... they are stong quiet minimalist forms with quiet glazes
that will show off most foods well.
All that being said.... on to the teapots.....
Interestingly, I find the teapots the least successful forms of all of her
work.
best,
.................john
John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086 USA
JBaymore@compuserve.com
http://www.JohnBaymore.com
"Please use compuserve address for any direct communications."
Lee Love on wed 5 oct 05
$600.00 isn't unusual for a teapot make by an artist here in Japan.
http://www.teresachang.com
Are the loopie porcelain handles functional? They don't seem to go with
the simplier work.
Wonder how long they'd last if you actually used them?
--
Lee Love
in Mashiko, Japan http://mashiko.org
http://spaces.msn.com/members/togeika/ New Weblog!
--
Lee Love
in Mashiko, Japan http://mashiko.org
http://seisokuro.blogspot.com/ My Photo Logs
"We can make our minds so like still water that beings gather about us that they may see,
it may be, their own images, and so live for a moment with a clearer,
perhaps even with a fiercer life because of our quiet."
-- W.B. Yeats
Lois Ruben Aronow on wed 5 oct 05
Fong Choo sells plenty of teapots, and for lots more money. His $1000
teapots oftenhave twisty spouts. They fit in the palm of your hand. They
are magnificent. And for the record, Teresa sells plenty too. She is
highly sought after by collectors.
So many green eyed monsters in Clayart. I agree with Allysa. Sniping isn't
welcome here.
What was once a supportive place has turned into a schoolyard at recess.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of earlk
> Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 10:58 AM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: $600.00 Tea pot
>
> Has anybody asked how many teapots she sells for $600?
> Maybe some. Maybe none.
>
> Earl K...
> Bothell, WA, USA
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> ________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your
> subscription settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Alyssa Ettinger on wed 5 oct 05
here's some fodder: are we undervaluing (sp?) our work? nobody would think
twice about pricing a painting at $600 (that's in fact very cheap).
i think because so many of us make functional vessels, and most people don't
want to spend $$ on mugs and such because they can buy them for five cents
at ikea, we command lower prices. it's an unfortunate truth that much of our
non-functional work sells for far more than, let's say, dinnerware.
Lois Ruben Aronow on wed 5 oct 05
It's been bantered about here on Clayart for ages about the Japanese
approach to apprenticeship and learning - make make make. Leach and Hamada
both had their apprentices make THOUSANDS of pieces before one was even
accepted.
You can call it "production.". Some of us prefer to call it "practice".
And the more you practice, the better you get.
Watch that step as you get off that high horse.
* * * * * * *
Lois Ruben Aronow
Modern Porcelain Tableware
www.loisaronow.com
> -----Original Message-----
> Alyssa wrote..... "how she produces on that scale, so many
> identical pieces, is beyond me."
>
>
> It's called production. The old practice, practice,
> practice....make 50 then make 50 more.........etc. The trick
> is keeping the passion...... Possibly that explains what some
> see as sterility..... And as you journey down that same
> production highway, you may well learn about the struggle to
> keep that passion...travel carefully and wisely.
>
> Jim
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> ________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your
> subscription settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Steve Slatin on wed 5 oct 05
Alyssa --
IMO, functional ware is a failure if it is sold at
museum prices. Why? Because it becomes the
equivalent of grandma's "good china" -- the stuff
that's too good to be touched and used. (My apologies
if your grandparents were more reasonable than mine.)
Things that are made to be admired and not touched are
one thing -- things that are made to be used are
another. Making something to be used, and then
pricing it so the purchaser effectively can't use it
cripples the work.
Your work is in the range of reason -- roughly $40 for
an intermediate bowl, right (sorry if I'm
misrecollecting)? I'm not wealthy, but I could afford
to buy a set and put them on the table. It would be a
significant purchase for me, but a possible one. And
if my 16-year old son cracked one getting it into the
dishwasher, I'd be annoyed, but I wouldn't grieve. I
couldn't say the same of a $600 teapot.
Best wishes -- Steve Slatin
--- Alyssa Ettinger wrote:
> here's some fodder: are we undervaluing (sp?) our
> work? nobody would think
> twice about pricing a painting at $600 (that's in
> fact very cheap).
>
> i think because so many of us make functional
> vessels, and most people don't
> want to spend $$ on mugs and such because they can
> buy them for five cents
> at ikea, we command lower prices. it's an
> unfortunate truth that much of our
> non-functional work sells for far more than, let's
> say, dinnerware.
Steve Slatin --
Drove downtown in the rain
9:30 on a Tuesday night
Just to check out the
Late night record shop
__________________________________
Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005
http://mail.yahoo.com
Farfl's House on wed 5 oct 05
> $600.00 isn't unusual for a teapot make by an artist here in Japan.
Clayton Bailey, in California, sells robot teapots for $500...and I'm
pretty sure they come out of a mold.
http://www.claytonbailey.com
earlk on wed 5 oct 05
On Wed, 2005-10-05 at 07:15 -0400, Lois Ruben Aronow wrote:
> So many green eyed monsters in Clayart. I agree with Allysa. Sniping isn't
> welcome here.
>
> > From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of earlk
> > Has anybody asked how many teapots she sells for $600?
> > Maybe some. Maybe none.
I think Lois missed my point.
With all the e-mails flying on this topic I never saw anybody ask the
question "How many pieces does Ms. Chang actually sell at those
prices". Isn't that a relevent factor?
At $600 for a piece, after expenses selling:
One piece a year is just beer money.
One piece a month wouldn't buy my groceries.
One piece a week is poverty level income.
One piece a day might make a comfortable income.
Another way to look at this would be that to make a $100,000 per year
income, before expenses, you would have to sell:
one sale a year at $100,000
one sale a month at $8,333
one sale a week at $1,923
one sale a day at $273
earl k....
bothell, wa, usa
Alyssa Ettinger on wed 5 oct 05
not meaning to be too cheeky... but i do, indeed, eat off the equivalent of
my grandmother's china, with the equivalent of my grandmother's silver, at
every meal. i'm all about thinking i deserve it more than company i have
over for dinner.
each of us has different expectations for our work, and as far as the way
mine is priced i think it's in the middle range. i would like to price it
higher, because i see pieces like mine, here in NYC, going for twice the
price, but i recognize the fact that because people want "sets" of things,
this has to keep the prices down. still, four large bowls will set you back
$240, plus s/h.
since i'm just starting out here, i might fail when it comes to selling in
volume. but orders have been steady thus far, and i'll be happy so long as i
can break even--here in NYC, with my studio rental and kiln fees hovering
around $500 a month, not including materials (or paying for my mortgage and
food), i can't afford to sell my work for anything less. ergo, when i sat
down and decided to pursue doing this full-time, i had to make sure to
create a product that would help me do this. not very romantic, but the art
is a business. has to be.
even so, if i were independently wealthy i'd likely be making the same
pieces, i just wouldn't be in a studio share... ;-)
--alyssa
www.alyssaettinger.com
Randall Moody on wed 5 oct 05
What I originally said was, "I also don't believe that sterility comes
through production either." I can revise that to say "I don't believe
sterility comes through practice either. Unless you are practicing
sterility." Trust me after some of the critiques I have had, my high horse
is a Shetland Pony.
While I honor their contributions to pottery I do not worship at the feet o=
f
neither Leach nor Hamada.
Lois Ruben Aronow on wed 5 oct 05
I didn't miss your point. Some people sell quantity; others do not. It is
a personal choice. I was at a show this year next to a woman who sold
bronze sculpture at $3000 each. She told me she only needs to sell 1 to
make a show, and usually sells 2 - both after the show. Also at this show
was David Greenbaum, who sells his pots at museum level prices. He sold
quite a few - and his work deserves every penny of it. Bear in mind these
people more than a few mid-range to high end shows a year.
Selling a lot of pieces doesn't make you a better pottery than anyone else.
Teresa usually does the highest end show and commission work. You can make
more money at the Smithsonian than at all your yearly mid-range shows
combined.
I think most people missed my point - she is at reaching a pinnacle in her
career and her work is highly sought after by collectors. It's different
for those who are just starting out - and on this list there appear to be
many. Instead of devaluing the work, one should strive to create at that
level.
* * * * * * *
Lois Ruben Aronow
Modern Porcelain Tableware
www.loisaronow.com
>> > > From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf
> Of earlk
> > > Has anybody asked how many teapots she sells for $600?
> > > Maybe some. Maybe none.
>
> I think Lois missed my point.
>
> With all the e-mails flying on this topic I never saw anybody
> ask the question "How many pieces does Ms. Chang actually
> sell at those prices". Isn't that a relevent factor?
>
> At $600 for a piece, after expenses selling:
> One piece a year is just beer money.
> One piece a month wouldn't buy my groceries.
> One piece a week is poverty level income.
> One piece a day might make a comfortable income.
>
>
> Another way to look at this would be that to make a $100,000
> per year income, before expenses, you would have to sell:
> one sale a year at $100,000
> one sale a month at $8,333
> one sale a week at $1,923
> one sale a day at $273
>
>
> earl k....
> bothell, wa, usa
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> ________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your
> subscription settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
John Baymore on wed 5 oct 05
Steve,
Making something to be used, and then pricing it so the purchaser
effectively can't use it cripples the work.
Hum.... I drink out of my Shimaoka Tatsuzo, Hamada Shoji, Hamada Shinsaku,
Matsuzaki Ken, antique Bizen, old Onda, (and so on) yunomi all the time.
The Shimoaka and Hamada ones sell in the $800 to $1000 range.
What "cripples" is the mindset that says you can't use the stuff. They
are wonderful to use. There's a reason those people are renowned as they
are.
Do I toss them in the sink carelessly? Of course not. They get treated
with the respect they deserve.
I toss the slipcast Walmart mug in the sink from about 10 feet .
best,
..............john
John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086 USA
JBaymore@compuserve.com
http://www.JohnBaymore.com
"Please use compuserve address for any direct communications."
John Baymore on wed 5 oct 05
here's some fodder: are we undervaluing (sp?) our work? nobody would think
twice about pricing a painting at $600 (that's in fact very cheap).
Alyssa,
Thank you........ precisely my point in my last post.
best,
..............john
John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086 USA
JBaymore@compuserve.com
http://www.JohnBaymore.com
"Please use compuserve address for any direct communications."
MATT WASSENAAR on wed 5 oct 05
O.K. this is from a lurker on the boards who has never posted before. I =
sell my work in a 'commercial venue' I shant say where. =20
I saw a great quote in a book by Bill Holm "Americans know the Price =
of everything, and the value of Nothing." That being said, price is =
relative. I tend to price up my creative work and then as I want to =
move it towards the door I hang a big old crass 'SALE' sign. If someone =
wants to buy her $600 tea pot, well bully for Ms./Mrs. Chang. Is the =
piece in question worth $600? Perhaps. She's obviously marketing to a =
high end clientele at those prices. Is this good or bad that she has out =
priced her local butcher or baker in favor of the lawyer or doctor? This =
is a problem of Class and Elitism more than what her pot is 'worth'.
If I had 6 million in the bank rather than $600 I would consider =
buying her tea pot.
My 2 cents.
M. Wassenaar=20
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Alyssa Ettinger=20
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=20
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 7:30 PM
Subject: Re: $600.00 Tea pot
gak.
susan, first of all, thank you thank you for your compliments. they =
are
tremendously appreciated.
second, i never wanted to sterilize this board. we're going to have to =
agree
to disagree on this one.
ditto on many of our opinions about chang--whose work, btw, isn't slip =
cast.
all hand-thrown. how she produces on that scale, so many identical =
pieces,
is beyond me. i've always gotten the feeling that the tea-pots were
something of hidden treasures within her work. (but, again, i love her =
work.
and she helped me a lot, via email, when i didn't even know her at =
all, as i
was developing my line. i imagine this makes me hyper-sensitive on =
this
topic.) --alyssa
www.alyssaettinger.com
=
_________________________________________________________________________=
_____
Send postings to =
clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from =
http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at =
melpots@pclink.com.
Norman Aufrichtig on wed 5 oct 05
I had a bowl by Sakuma's son, got it while he gave a workshop at OU at
Athens, Ohio. Each of the graduate students received one. Unfortunately, it
broke while in use.I miss that bowl. Wish I kept the pieces, could have
repaired it.
Norman.
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Baymore"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 6:42 PM
Subject: Re: [CLAYART] $600.00 Tea pot
> Steve,
>
>
> Making something to be used, and then pricing it so the purchaser
> effectively can't use it cripples the work.
>
>
> Hum.... I drink out of my Shimaoka Tatsuzo, Hamada Shoji, Hamada Shinsaku,
> Matsuzaki Ken, antique Bizen, old Onda, (and so on) yunomi all the time.
> The Shimoaka and Hamada ones sell in the $800 to $1000 range.
>
> What "cripples" is the mindset that says you can't use the stuff. They
> are wonderful to use. There's a reason those people are renowned as they
> are.
>
> Do I toss them in the sink carelessly? Of course not. They get treated
> with the respect they deserve.
>
> I toss the slipcast Walmart mug in the sink from about 10 feet .
>
>
> best,
>
> ..............john
>
> John Baymore
> River Bend Pottery
> 22 Riverbend Way
> Wilton, NH 03086 USA
>
> JBaymore@compuserve.com
> http://www.JohnBaymore.com
>
> "Please use compuserve address for any direct communications."
>
>
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jennifer hoolihan on wed 5 oct 05
Maybe you guys are no longer talking about Teresa Chang's work directly, but
have used it as a spring board for a discussion on aesthetic. If not, I'd
like to point out that Teresa states on her website she hand-throws all of
her work and is committed to the process of throwing. I'd also like to say
that I've been making hand-thrown pottery for 16 years and some of my most
favorite pots in my collection are slipcast pieces by the designer Eva
Zeisel. I have a set of her plates that I use almost everyday along side a
set of handmade, woodfired plates by Daphne Hatcher that get an equal amount
of use. Good design knows no boundaries!
Jennifer Hoolihan
Susan Nebeker said-
" . . .slip-cast, mass produced pottery doesn't appeal to me.
At least not enough to spend that kind of dough for it! The process may be
difficult and challenging, but for me it has no soul and lacks personality
particular to a handmade pot."
Tom at Hutchtel.net on thu 6 oct 05
I have to agree, John. We use every pot we have...they were made as
functional pots and aren't really completed until they achieve that
function. And that is also where they get their beauty. We have probably
the best set of soup bowls MacKenzie ever made. Can never be replaced since
he doesn't throw as well today as he did back then. Use them every day.
I've been interested reading the comments about the $600 teapots. People
have been complaining about how they "have no interest". I read that as,
have no decoration. They are purely form. I suspect those who see these as
uninteresting, really haven't developed their sense of form and have to look
at attached color and texture to achieve interest. (I guess all we have to
do is look at CM to know that). If the form doesn't carry the pot, nothing
you can attach or pour on is going to help.
those who complain about the price really haven't tried to do as perfect a
job of throwing as she does. and the spouts. Wow. Ms. Chang has done her
homework. And I'd suspect doesn't get any more per hour than most potters.
She's just willing to ask for it in her price. We're working in that
direction.
Tom Wirt
Hutchinson, MN
twirt@hutchtel.net
www.claycoyote.com
Randall Moody on thu 6 oct 05
I can't speak for anyone but myself but I think you are wrong on this. My
opinion was based on the entire piece, not just "I like that glaze." or I
like that spout." or "I like that lid." etc. I don't like or dislike a
painting just because the painter used one color I prefer. How many times
have we all seen a great glaze on a bad form and a great form with an awful
glaze. It is too easy to dismiss an opposing opinion by thinking the person
dissenting "hasn't developed their sense of form" or "just doesn't get it".
On 10/6/05, Tom at Hutchtel.net
wrote:
>
> People
> have been complaining about how they "have no interest". I read that as,
> have no decoration. They are purely form. I suspect those who see these a=
s
> uninteresting, really haven't developed their sense of form and have to
> look
> at attached color and texture to achieve interest. ,> Tom Wirt
> Hutchinson, MN
> twirt@hutchtel.net
> www.claycoyote.com
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________________=
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> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
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> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Darin Gehrke on thu 6 oct 05
I don't think you can say that those who find Chang's teapots "uninteresting" have no sense of
form. The majority of people who will encounter Chang's or any potters work are not trained
potters or atrtists. They are not even thinking about form when they are attracted or
unattracted to something. It is everyone's own personal aesthetic that draws them to
something. That person who is drawn to our work is the final element in what we have
created; The User. Because everyone's aesthetic is as unique as they are, we as potters/
artists must be prepared for all types of criticism. Good, bad, eloquently stated or not, we
are free to take the useful criticism and apply it to our work and let the stuff we don't like just
bounce off.
Unfortunately everyone including other potters don't always have the ability to really explain
why they like or dislike something. It's hard to say why you are attracted to something.
What I am trying to say is; Ms. Chang is a well trained artist who is probably familiar with
critiques and knows how to handle them. I am sure the critiques in the Columbia architecture
department are much more intense than those on our message board here. Let's not dwell
on the negative, it only magnifies it.
By the way, I like her teapots (this is an example of poor "criticism")
Darin Gehrke
On Thu, 6 Oct 2005 08:00:18 -0500, Tom at Hutchtel.net wrote:
They are purely form. I suspect those who see these as
>uninteresting, really haven't developed their sense of form and have to look
>at attached color and texture to achieve interest.
>Tom Wirt
>Hutchinson, MN
>twirt@hutchtel.net
>www.claycoyote.com
>
Culling on fri 7 oct 05
What's the view on these tpots? -not cheap but more appealing to me than
Changs - I feel they stretch the tpot in directions I wish I thought of!!
Her handles look too fragile to me and theses are so much a paet of the
body they live!!I saw some in the flesh last yr when I was in NZ and they
almost float off the table they are so light and yes they also pour!!
www.rickrudd.com "sales - then "tpots" or "true to form" then "vessels"
Steph
warm and geting warmer durn it!!
Stephanie Marder on fri 7 oct 05
Loved it. I am just deciding on a teapot form. Not sure
yet. Drawn round shapes.
I do know that I want something more than a two cup pot.
Four or six would work.
I don't mind carrying it to the table with two hands or even pouring it
with one hand on the lid.
But the handle needs to be formed so that I am not concerned about having
it slip with some balance.
Pouring - the stream should go where I expect and not dribble down.
Don't mind the drop at the end but not pleased about drooling.
What other consideration should be addressed?
I like a strainer but haven't been successful with one under the lid
yet.
Well, back to work.
At 01:12 AM 10/07/2005, you wrote:
What's the view on these tpots?
-not cheap but more appealing to me than
Changs - I feel they stretch the tpot in directions I wish I thought
of!!
Her handles look too fragile to me and theses are so much a paet of
the
body they live!!I saw some in the flesh last yr when I was in NZ and
they
almost float off the table they are so light and yes they also
pour!!
www.rickrudd.com
"sales - then "tpots" or "true to form" then "vessels"
Steph
warm and geting warmer durn it!!
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