2.21.2017

learning to play chess by karin sanborn

Today's topic is concerns the latest studio challenge.
Typically I find the 'make' process easy on a certain level. Show up, create, express with intention, often oceans of it. The problem is not this current level. Getting to the next level is.

The most recent art coaching involves trying to create 'with the least possible moves'.
If this were chess, that is equivalent to a master who captures your queen before you know what happened. That is the kind of piece I am working towards.  This doesn't mean no effort. In fact to get there it is hard for me to imagine what it won't involve, meaning it will take everything I have, and then something I don't yet have, to make less. A false equals sign.

Step 1: Definition of user requirements.

Later will come development, feasibility, and then only after these components will manufacturing occur. Then edit ruthlessly to remove all that is not 100% in service of the goal.

Today and everyday is groundhog day until step one is mastered.
This is me sitting still with the emptiness of square one. No horror vacui allowed.
I will imagine Sol LeWitt as my opponent.


2.09.2017

The Journey of Claywork Part 1 by Andrea Zimon

This is my second semester of clay and here is a peek into my project binder.  Over the next four months you will get to see how all the work develops. 



 Project #1 is an autobiographical assignment.  I am studying psychology and this piece is based on one of the theories I am studying. I will create a piece of  puzzle sculptural parts based on that theory. There are about ten separate parts that are supposed to fit together.




Project #2 is slab container inspired by architecture. My creation is going to be a jewelry box with trays inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater which has about four separate parts. 

 

Project #3 is making a tea set inspired by a 20th century painter. My tea set is inspired by Mondrian’s Composition No. 10 Pier and Ocean. The Mondrian aspect will hopefully be present in the handle and teapot overlay. 


Project #4 is a room assignment. I was going to do a  horse stall but I changed my mind and created an 'aquarium' room. 


Project #5 is a coil vessel with neck.  My goal was to make a braided, wonky effect with three coiled tubes. It will need to dry, to be sanded, and to be fired.  If it survives those stages, then I will decide how to glaze it. 



Project #6 is creating a shell from a pinch pot. This was the project I started after the Christmas break and it took some time to get the clay mojo going again.  It is almost complete except for some drying, sanding, and visiting the kiln.





Project #7 is four bowls that focus on the body, rim, feet, and handle.  I have started the body one which looks completely different than the sketch. I call it creepy bowl. It is very delicate and I am not sure if it will survive the kiln but I did put in the effort to make sure pieces stay on. We shall see. 









Project#8 is positive/negative cylinder and with a much negative space as positive space. It has been started but I am having some technical issues so this may need to be restarted.


Project #9 is a food project that is also our final. I came up with doing a three tiered wedding cake with flowers. It may end up being another jewelry box of sorts because I need to make it in pieces for easier handling.



Project #10 is a shoe concept.  I am doing a stylized version of the gita (geisha shoes).