Lili Krakowski on wed 5 oct 05
I cannot pay $600 for a teapot. Nor can I pay $100 a person for dinner, $60
for a haircut, $400 for shoes, $1,500,000 for a one-room apartment, and
like that.
I do not, however, pick on those who can, nor on those who create/make/sell
these things. In a free market economy producers and buyer work out a silent
agreement that the product will give the buyer some sort of satisfaction
that the buyer cannot, or thinks s/he cannot obtain by other purchases.
Where I balk is when the price is depressed by the abuse of others--"sweat"
or "slave" labor....but that is another matter.
We all get mad at criticisms that go too far. But getting mad is SO much
better than censorship. A story. One hundred years ago, or so it seems,
Germaine Greer was interviewed by Wm Buckley when he took his show to
Cambridge University. (Brits, correct me--it may have been Oxford) During
the ? period someone said something about Greer's work being idiotic, or
whatever...something very sharp. Buckley bristled and said: "Please, no
talk like that ...." And Greer interrupted him saying: "Look, here we allow
all and any critical remarks about the WORK...as long as it NOT an attack on
the PERSON." Which I think a good criterion.
No one as far as I have read has said one bad word about the potter: only
about the pots. Fair enough.
As to slip casting. Give it a rest. Leaving aside that those teapots are
thrown, the question is why are "we" allowed extruders, electric wheels,
boughten clay, boughten glazes, kiln controllers of all sorts, those oxygen
meters for reduction, and such, and then get incensed at slip casting? I am
struggling at this time to master hump and slump molds...I cannot even
envisage the whole process of making models for molds and making and using
them....As to mass production--come on-- a good production potter probably
can make as many mugs or whatever in a day as a slip caster can. Please.
It is the work, the work, the work that matters. As many maidens (nice old
fashioned word) have been wooed with daisies, and other wild flowers as
with orchids---it is the thought that counts...
Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage
Susan Nebeker on wed 5 oct 05
Lili Krakowski wrote:
<"During the ? period someone said something about Greer's work being idiotic, or
whatever...something very sharp. Buckley bristled and said: "Please, no
talk like that ...." And Greer interrupted him saying: "Look, here we allow
all and any critical remarks about the WORK...as long as it NOT an attack on
the PERSON." Which I think a good criterion.
No one as far as I have read has said one bad word about the potter: only
about the pots. Fair enough.">
This is such a great story, Lili!
The man had great self-confidence to be that open to critique. Most of us look at our work as a literal extension of ourselves and bristle at criticism of it.
Very difficult to not have hurt feelings.
However, it's good to cultivate a thick skin and be able to hear the negative as well as the positive.
You also said:
<"As to slip casting. Give it a rest. Leaving aside that those teapots are
thrown, the question is why are "we" allowed extruders, electric wheels,
boughten clay, boughten glazes, kiln controllers of all sorts, those oxygen
meters for reduction, and such, and then get incensed at slip casting?">
Incensed is a strong term in regards to any comment I or others have made about slip casting her in this discussion.
Not incensed at all. Just not my cup of tea, forgive the pun.
We all have our preferences, especially when we're digging in our purse for the wallet-
And while on the subject of wallets, fat ones, thin ones and those in between...
My studio really depends on the sale of my garden installations and animal sculptures. These go for anywhere from 250.00 to 1000.00.
I still marvel when a customer pulls out their checkbook and think, "how would it be to just on a whim, spend that much money on a luxury item?"
You see, I'm still in the Mommy Mode, fifth child is still at home, though graduating this year. Must think practically, investing in the old college fund, IRAs, home repair, yada, yada. Still canning 100 qts of tomatoes and making pickles, for pete's sake.
Therefore, I'm all for those folks who can afford it, to come spend all they want!
Please!
For myself, I'm too practical and probably wouldn't splurge to this extreme even if I could. Philosophically, it would be a struggle.
Sure as heck don't have a problem with those who have differ.
Or with those who slip cast.
I'm a handbuilder who depends on slump/hump molds, stamps AND loves to throw on the wheel too...
And one who needs to get her heinie out to work- especially if Hank won't settle for Burger King.......
Susan Nebeker
Pollywog Pottery
Canby, Oregon
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