To Sophomore Class Sp '10

Hello!

Our first class will meet Tuesday Jan.25.  We will begin with a demo at 9:10 am sharp.  Please have your tools and a sketch book with you for the first class.

The first class project will cover coil construction- we will start with vessel making and the elements of form and shape.  

We will talk about surface, line, edge, balance, transitions, et. al. and eye movement.

Function will be limited to jars and vases.  Handles and appendages will be possible.

Keep the forms simple and strong.  We will explore the use of drawing on these vessels.  The figure, abstract mark making, pattern and motif. 


We will explore color in a later project.


I would like to do a sculptural project second.  Be thinking about what type of forms could be made with coils.  At this point I am leaning toward work that will be presented as a group.  Two or more pieces related in some way.

The vessel work will emphasize technique and craftsmanship.  Simple forms.  Look at works from early Asian periods like Momoyama in Japan,  Yayoi in Korea, Ming in China to start.  Pre-Columbian works, African works, Greek and Mesopotamian.  Start looking- bring the forms and shapes that appeal to you to your work!

You will be learning the technique of coiling that I learned from Bruno LaVerdiere.  It will probably be different from what you have done before.  Look him up.  He can be found in a book about Penland School of Crafts in N.C.  I will demonstrate in class on Tuesday.

You will be expected to bring ideas and results of library research to class in the form of sketches and notations.  Artists do not work in a vacuum!  As sophomores, I will expect you to begin to bring purpose and meaning to your work.  This doesn't mean heavy philosophical notions.  The use of basic formal elements can convey meaning every bit as much as words and images.  Just the act of making has meaning.  

I hope to teach you various firing techniques, including modified pit/raku, and low temperature vapor/salt.  

The second series of projects will be sculptural using multiple units.  More on that at midterm.

Looking forward to meeting you all and to a productive semester!