Recurring themes of Art 10
• 1) Exploration of ceramic technology
aka clay origins and process.
• 2) Creation of form and surface.
• 3) Development of a personal aesthetic
and self-expression.
• 4) Study the influence of clay on culture
and culture on clay technology.
1) Exploration of clay origins and process.
•
Studio experiences will include:
1) Study of clay origins: What is clay? Where does it come from?
2) Types of clay: earthenware (terracotta), stoneware, porcelain
3) Stages of clay:
–
Green: wet-slip,moist, leather hard, bone dry
–
Fired: bisqued ( 04), glaze fired (08-04, 6, 10)
4) Forming techniques:
–
Pinching – symmetrical vs freeform (organic), burnishing
–
Coil – revealing pattern vs smooth
–
Slab – soft vs hard, drape (slump) mold
–
Wheel Throwing – symmetry
–
Press mold vs Slip Casting (not at Gavilan)
–
Extrude
5)
Surface Decor : Texture, stamping, carving, wax resist, glaze, slip…
6) Various firing techniques: pit, low fire, raku, medium fire, high fire
7) Health & Safety Issues
2) Creating Form and Surface
• Form is the shape of an object, including its
internal space, surrounding space and negative
space. Negative space is the space between
solid shapes.
• The subject of the form may be abstract,
realistic, functional/utilitarian, non-functional,
vessel or sculpture.
• Surface treatments include texture, oxide, slip
designs, and glaze/no glaze.
Pinch & Coil
Slab (soft & hard)
ORGANIC FORM
DRAPE/SLUMP MOLD
WHEEL THROWN
4) Study the influence of clay on culture
and culture on clay technology.
Clay has played a significant role in the
history of man. From a very early time,
at least 27,000 years ago and possibly
longer, man has understood clay is
unique and has had a role in his life both
as a material for self-expression and as
an invaluable utilitarian material. The
stuff civilization is made from, literally.
27000 year old fingerprint
14000 years old
At times, man has used clay for ritual purpose, and at
other times for ordinary, daily living. The technology of
clay has developed as man has settled and spread from
mountain caves across the world via the Silk Road and
across oceans.
Our class will be studying the history of
ceramics in four sections:
1) Ancient Mediterranean
2) Pre-Columbian
Americas and Africa.
3) Asia and Western Asia
4) Europe and
Modern America
We will be observing how clay ideas develop
and pass from one culture to the next.
Main ideas that we will be watching for are:
1) The discovery of clay and glaze materials led to
different processes.
2) The development of firing techniques influenced the
spread of pottery.
3) Certain design motifs have spread from one culture to
another.
Raku