Craft Vs. Art
In an effort to boost the profile of working with clay from craft to fine art, artists will often change the verbiage to assist in that end goal. For example, pottery becomes ceramic art and a pot becomes a vessel to help differentiate the two. Where do I stand on this issue? I think the lines between craft and art are blurring and there’s just too much happening in the art world to draw a distinction. Traditional mediums are being stretched and manipulated beyond historical norms. I would like to think that the cream will always rise to the top – and that’s true for any medium. There will always be great painters and then there are those who love to paint but just aren’t that good at it. Should that stop the challenged but equally passionate painter from making art? Hell no!
I feel a tangent coming on that I had better stop dead in its tracks! Think about the words though. I’m looking at galleries nationwide that I would like to submit work to be considered for representation. But, I’m paying attention to how the galleries are marketing themselves. Does “craft market” or “fine craft gallery” sound better? Clay work is still put in the craft category, although, I have noticed more of the high end galleries who deal in clay do away with the nomenclature such as The Garth Clark Gallery in NYC who specifically represent ceramic work and artists or AKAR, a architecture firm and gallery in Iowa. Each of these galleries features the work of some of the really big names in the Ceramic Art world.
I think I helped sort it out in my mind as to what consititutes the difference between pottery and ceramic art. To me, the word pottery denotes anything that is functional such as dishes, mugs etc. that we use everyday. The term ceramic artwork applies to anything that is non-funcitonal or that could perhaps stand on its own with no regard to function. Could a wheel thrown mug be art? I suppose so – but it had better be really special. And, finally good craftsmanship is paramount regardless of medium. Who wants their painting to warp or fall off the stretcher bars? Unless of course, it’s suppose to do that as some sort of statement on decay or something. Feel free to weigh in.
I’ve been thinking about how to accomplish the “pot a day” challenge that I posed for myself. I do think that I will make work in advance; the challenge will be in the surface treatment of each piece. I even thought I could bring pots with me camping – some will end up in the fire pit – just to see what will happen.
Meanwhile, my husband and I celebrated 18 years of marriage yesterday with margies on the patio. We were trying to remember who sang “Happy Anniversary Baby” back in the ’70s. I guessed Little River Band, he wouldn’t commit but didn’t think it was LRB. Lo and behold, he had loaded Best of LRB on the iPod and guess what? I was right. It was quite the coup for me, since my husband is “Mr. Music”. He likes to stump me all the time playing “name that band”. Every so often, I can pull one out of my hat. We played the song, and decided that it wasn’t such a good anniversary song. The lyrics are about a woman who leaves him and he’s still singing happy anniversary baby, got you on my mind.
Have a good week,
Janvangogh
May 20, 2007 at 5:24 pm //
Happy Belated Anniversay.
However you decide on the pot a day, I am sure it you will make it work. So many ways you could take it.
Mary Timme
May 20, 2007 at 11:54 pm //
A pot a day sounds really amibitious to me. If anyone can make it work, Cynthia, it will be you! I’m almost holding my breath to see the fired pieces that are in the kiln. Time for me to go work on my stuff for an hour or so.
Oh, I do think the art vs. craft thing is getting more and more difficult to support. People have more free time and we automatically–it seems to me–start creating.
HMBT
May 21, 2007 at 11:27 am //
I think there can be the Craft of Art making…artisains. I don’t know… really the gallery thing has got me stumped sometimes too. I am looking at a bunch of them myself, and getting the slides, the CD’s and paperwork all together to start the mailing out process…it’s not easy to do…and not always a lot of fun…but I know it’s worth it in the long run.
A pot a day would be great as a series, I know it would be unique and cause a lot of interest. It would be a winner for sure. Happy Aniversery…18 years, that’s great.
Melody
May 21, 2007 at 1:07 pm //
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
18 years……..that is something to be proud of
Cynthia
May 21, 2007 at 1:21 pm //
Thanks Janet, still thinking about the logistics.
I opened the kiln yesterday morning Mary and I think it’s going to be good. I’m doing a glaze fire this am.
I’m working on a statement right now, Heather. It just seems so convoluted.
Thanks Melody!
Angela
May 21, 2007 at 10:16 pm //
There is a fine line for me between crafts and fine art. Crafts to me are a form of art in themselves. Anyhoo, Thank you for sharing these Cynthia! I always enjoy coming and visiting your blog.
*HUGS*
Cynthia
May 22, 2007 at 1:19 pm //
You said it so much better than I did, Angela! It took me a few paragraphs to say what you did in one sentence.
On another note…I’m very excited! I think I had a really successful glaze fire yesterday. I just popped the lid open on my kiln so that it can cool down a little more before I unload it later today. It’s a bit like Christmas (insert any holiday here) for me everytime I open the kiln.
Mary
May 22, 2007 at 9:39 pm //
Congratulations for you Anniversary, Cynthia. To me every piece you make is art and I love those new platters.
Taylor
May 24, 2007 at 9:44 pm //
Happy 18th. The wife and I will be celebrating the same in July. As for craft vs. art, aren’t you glad that the clay is just as squishy either way?
Glad I’ve found another potter blog. Keep things turning.
Taylor