Here is an article that struck a note with me from Ceramics Today
Article
Some really good points, and a good over look on the issues of mass produced commercial tableware VS Handmade.
I have found that many people think that handmade ware will cost a fortune...It can but like any purchase you have to shop around. I have told many people looking into getting a new dinner set to find an artist they like. Tell them what they are looking for. I know that many (including myself) will cut prices when pieces are bought in bulk....And that's just what a set of tableware is in my opinion. But like the article says many buyers are looking for it "now". They want to have 30 different choices offered to them and they want to drive home with what they pick in the back seat for dinner that night.
I can even respect that to a degree. I just wish more people would see what is offered by artists. And research WHO is making the plates. Not the company or the name on the back of the plates, but rather the location of the factory where they are produced. Something like tableware, again in my opinion, is something you can more easily support locally.
5 comments:
Yo, Ill. Prolepsis here. That article was something, man. Unseelie pointed it out, mentioned the sentiments behind it, and I full-heartly agree. With me now studying music full-time, and really working skills and idea in creation as an artist, that piece has only added fuel to flames - man I'm ampped after reading that. I can dig the appriciation and the subtle influence a hand-produced ... anything can bestow - doubly so now.
The sickbooks, man...
Its a good article. I wish i better reflected on it infact reading back. I was beat and really wanted to just get it up.
Few other things that it got me thinking with was one that i don't knock people that don't think of this at ay level. I think many of us have just moved away from it. We think about matching our plates with mugs. Ans those with the paint in the kitchen. Thats great but thinking about how and who made it. What was the making going for are really cool ideas. They arn't anything in your face. Not a statement. At some levels sure they may be making things they hope others will buy. But i think most artist try to do this but often it doesnt always work out that way. Many times i have sat at my wheel with some ideas for sales in my head....but once i am into my work that goes right out the window. I go right back to shape, function, art, and texture...which is the second thing the article STILL has me thinking of.
TEXTURE in our lives. I am still dwelling on this. Man i totally lost that. Never do i think about texture. Ask a stranger on the street about the texture in your life and they will porbally walk in the other direction (looking over there shoulder making sure this odd ball is not following).
But DAMN back in the day life was full of it. The wood products of old had a TON more texture. Sure we still use wood in everyday applications but we have it (most often) soooo refined. Its almost like we wish there was a single meduim to make everthing out of that is the same smooth, durable...(good i hope that will not become plastic). But texture is another GREAT meduim of sorts. Just another way to get an idea "feeling" across. And this is coming from a guy whos work is considered cold in pottery terms (smooth). Though i have another type of work that has rich carved textured in it. I think i will do some more functional ware that has texture in it. Im glas this article got me thinking along these lines again.
Also makes "smooth" a texture in its self. When you have more than one (rough vs smoth ect) makes one a appreciate the other. Right on, l8er
Also right on with studying music full time. You got the drive man. Glad to see you sticking with it!!!!!!
Heh, I just finished me first week. It's intense, but I'm hooked, hey. Really digging the course, and the people.
As for texture, yeah, I can dig that. Just reading what you said then made me think of when I was studying the romantic era - just some personal interest stuff. The Romantics fled the industry and city, because it lacked the certain connection with nature - or it was souless. I think the same can be applied to hand-crafted stuff vs. Machine worked. There is, basically, no sweat an blood - the artist's essence - in the work.
And the smooth vs carved. It totally reflects the nature of the work and the purpose (if a practical purpose exists for the piece) that it serves. Same with music: you could liken 'smooth texture' to a style, say, standard rock or something, and 'carved texture' to layered, or progressive, or music that has both excellent technical aspects and creates a strong emotional connection between artist and audience.
Well put. Its a case of "muzac." VS music. I think this will soon be a bigger issue in music than it currently is (HAW my two cents, whats that is worth).Its an example of an artist making music for the masses rather than music to express ones self or ones art.
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