Lili Krakowski on sun 7 may 06
Earthenware; cheap cookie jars
1.The tight/loose argument, which we have cyclically, is based on taste,
preference, style. The underlying question seem, to me, to be; does pottery
change, evolve "towards" something, or does it simply reflect l'air du
temps, the Zeitgeist, or whatever?
April 29 I went to the American Art Pottery Association Convention and saw
a terrific show of Rookwood and other "old" pots. Went on to the Everson
and saw the Robineau Show. And what I learned is that pottery does NOT
evolve, does not progress in any way except through new technologies...(i.e.
Voulkos could not have been Voulkos without electric wheels). I could not,
would not make any of those pots. Not I, because not me. I would not own
any of those pots, because they do not fit into a home which speaks for me.
But they are knock-your-socks-off gorgeous, representing breathtaking skill.
My hat is off, my knees knock, my hands clap--with total reverence for the
Craftsmen who made these pots.
I disagree all around with the idea of "progress". I believe it all is
plain old "change" . And as far as clay goes, some potters want to say one
thing, some another, and to try to establish "tight" over "loose", or
"loose" over "tight" is an attempt at censorship.
2. I think we have pinned down the basic question about Earthenware. That
it is a question of absorption, not really firing temp, and that the
question of absorption goes to the matter of hygiene.
And I wonder whether some of Mr Alexander's 1970s brilliant c. 06 glazes
were not lead glazes--as lead frits still were around then. The terrific
beauty of low fired glazes was heavily based on lead, as well as many
glorious colors being based on cadmium/selenium and uranium, also still used
then.
3. Years ago I sublet space from the potter Tom Van Deusen. He had a shop
and studio on Third Avenue, (in NYC--and at the time still under the El)
When people came in and gawped at "our" high prices , Tom would lead them to
the door, point down the street, and say: "Down there is a wonderful
Woolworth, that has just what you want." Point being: that any potter who
, today, makes a cookie jar for $20 is subsidizing the buyer. It better be
in a very good cause, in which one deeply believes.
Lili Krakowski
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