Hello All,
Welcome to Projects in Clay, Fall 2013. Our class syllabus can be found here. The course information can also be found on Moodle. Please be sure to sign up for a free Ceramics Journal at http://ceramicartsdaily.org/ We will refer to this journal from time to time and you must be a member to access some of the materials. We will begin the semester with the first two projects.
Project Descriptions :
PROJECT #1: INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT : (Semester Long)
As mandated by the department, each student must complete an individual research project for every course. You will be provided with a variety of artists from which you can choose on the blog. You are also required to explore other artists works on your own. Students will choose three artists. (The artists don’t all necessarily have to be visual artists) This choice should be given great consideration, because not only will you be spending a great deal of time with these artists in the course of your research, but because you will also be expected to tie some aspect of these artist’s working methods (directly or indirectly) to at least one of the pieces you will produce for this class over the course of the semester. It is extremely important that you take the time right away to begin your search. Be sure you locate three artists who you really find provoke an emotional response from you. Do your research in earnest. Delve deeply into forming a real and unique critical understanding of the relevance of the work to your own current understanding, taste and interests. Remember that these are the issues on which you should concentrate. This is not to be a report, in which you will relay a condensed biography, a series of facts or an amalgam of writings by art critics and historians. The nature of the assignment is to achieve a personal, critical dialog with the artist and the work. This is a semester-long project, and the quality and depth of your work should reflect this time frame.
The specific requirements of this research assignment are:
a.) A short (minimum of 2 pages) written paper/essay.
b.) A Power Point (or other digital-based projection program) presentation of not less than 10, and not more than 25 images to your subject.
c.) Towards the end of the semester, each student will be required to give a brief presentation (10 to 15 minutes) about their subject.
PROJECT #2 : CUPS
Students will design a series of 4-8 cups.
Think about:
What kind of cups are there? Is the cup's design specific to it's function. Is there a specific liquid it is designed to hold. Does it have a handle / is the handle made of clay? Is the cup functional at all?
Reading Assignment:
Go here to see David's work: DavidGaryWright.com
Links to Visit Ceramics Art Daily:
Circular Logic: How to Explore Shapes for Handbuilding
Handle Making Video: Can You Handle It? Great Techniques for Textured Handles
Handbuilding Video: How to Make a Textured Tripod Pot with Soft Slabs
Handbuilding Video: Making a Tidy Slab-Built Tumbler with Slip Decoration
Some images of Kathy Butterly's work can be found at Tibor de Nagy.
Stay tuned for the "CUPS SLIDESHOW!!!" coming soon.........
Keith Brymer Jones
