Frank Colson on tue 14 mar 06
Tom- It was Soji Hamada, as a visiting "Living Treasure of Japan" first
visit in the U.S., who launch my career in clay. More than technique, I
learned how to develop a "Zen" state of mind to this day. Thus, to copy is
to complement, for I have already moved far beyond in my own quest of
discovery by translating the spirit of my soul into a physical form of
expression I am with awareness that the earth which is held in my hands,
is but an element of the universe of which my being is one in the same.
There is no other likeness.
Frank Colson
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Collins"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 1:49 PM
Subject: the art of stealing / copying
> The most famous and in my mind the best pot maker of our era, he died a
few years ago, once told me "I steal (copy) like a /=*^<#># (son of a
gun), you just have to be careful from who you steal from. Only steal from
the best." For that you will be judged.
> It is flattering to be copied. To copy an original is not possible
anyway. You cannot even copy your own self. No two handmade pieces are the
same anyway. Additionally, it is very difficult to hit a moving target. If
you copy from someone whose work has not changed in awhile, you may well
inspire them to move on. When I was a student I only showed forms that
required huge amounts of practice and lots and lots and lots of failed
efforts to achieve. The only way to copy the essence and life of these
pieces was "huge amounts of practice and . . ." and by then I was on the
record and on to a new idea. At the start of your career, It is tres normal
to emulate. At the same time you may emulate / copy someone's work who is a
tad bit insecure and it may upset them. Do not be surprised. I may mean
you emulated someone's work that is not really all that vital. Move on and
emulate only the best. The best won't care anyway.
> Hamada did not sign most of his work. If someone copiedhim and the
piece was a good piece, Hamada received credit. If Hamada made a lousy
piece, everyone assumed someone else made it. But the only way to
consistently make good pieces is lots of practice and lots of failed
attempts and there is no substitute. Sincerely,
>
> tcxyz
>
>
> Tom Collins
> 707-224-5084 phone/fax
> tcxyz@sbcglobal.net e-mail
> tomcollinsstoneware.com
>
>
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