Final Entry

OK so I have been putting in many hours and boy could I use a nap! After making my list of things that inspire me, I started working on elements of a sketch book to help get ideas flowing. I picked a few themes and I started playing with  them and I ended up using a weird combined theme of "Nature and Ribbons". Many of my my pieces are being made from already existing utilitarian objects that are made for single use and I am using them to make something that can be used multiples times. I then took my concept and applied it with different ways. I have probably made at least 20 pieces so far with this concept (sadly, I accidentally broke a few pieces, also). Most of what I made was serve-ware which I plan to show on my second critique and for my third and final critique, I plan to show the place-settings that I am currently working on (hopefully 3 different designs). In the way that I have been constructing them, I have been using lots of hand-building and slab techniques. I have thought of my designs as "maquets"- physical sketches up until now. For my final 3 place setting designs I am building them as actual dishes. I am really excited about this and I pray to G-d that they will come out well!


Below is a picture I took with my phone of one of the pieces that I am currently working on.
-Image says "Server Rejected" when I try to upload it and I don't know why.

--ok as of 12/11/10, I tried to upload again and it worked this time

OK so...lot of info to put in here.

I have just finished my first set of dishes. They are based on the idea of recycling. I basically took already-made plastic and paper-ware to create something permanent out of clay. I placed clay inside and outside of the vessels and let the slabs of clay fall naturally within the contours of the vessels. I got a result that looks a little bit like wilted flowers or "pie crust" as some have put it. I am still debating how I am going to glaze them.
In regard to where I am going with future ideas, I made a list of things that inspire me(see below). I don't know how to illustrate everything but I have made some sketched and some digital compositions. For my next collection I am thinking about Morocco and Trivets to form a collection of "non-functional" dinnerware. I would also like to incorporate Swarovski crystal (and possibly other mediums) into them as well.

In addition to my work we are supposed to talk about a piece of writing we have read but I am not sure I have read about anything that relates to my work. The closest thing I can think of is what I have been learning in Anthropology about cultures that don't even use dishes. I wonder if that is where I got the idea to do "non-functional" dinnerware.


Finally... you asked for a recipe, I'm assuming you mean food. Anyways, I decided to do one for Salt and Pepper Kugel. Kugel is a Jewish (European) food that is made with noodles or potatoes and is made sweet with fruit or with spices.

Salt and Pepper Kugul
1 pound medium noodles
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp parsley flakes
1 tbsp onion flakes
8 eggs, well beaten
1 tblsp matzo meal

Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a large pot cook noodles until very soft. Drain but do not rinse. Place noodles in a large bowl and add salt and pepper. Add oil, parsley, and onion flakes and mix well. Add eggs to noodles and fold mixture until mixed well. Add 1 tbsp matzo meal and fold. Pour mixture into baking pan, sprinkle a little paprika on the top. Bake on 350 degrees for 1 hr to 1 and a 1/2 hours.
-When done, cut into squares.

My List

As a start to create a sketchbook for this class, I decided to make a list of everything that inspires me (in no particular order)

Experimentation
recylcling
hair, specifically braids
eyes
belly dancing
babies/pregnancy
nature- leaves, twigs, flowers
color
texture
how fabric falls
fashion
ruffles
Judaism
ink blots
cool shapes
reductive methods
cut-away things
being spontaneous
make-up/ changed appearances
baking
shiney objects
weird archecture
animals
vegetarianism
things that are soft
smells
contours of the body
humor
water- dripping, splashing, swimming
roads
Israel
Morocco
Ancient Egypt
organization
cleanliness
messyness
mirrors/reflection
auras/chakras/color therapy
medical conditions- Fibromyalgia

And More...

Taking everyday, disposible vessels to make reusable utilitarian objects

I've been working a lot with different building techniques, for this set of dishes in particular I am using abstract slab building. I am using a rolling pin to roll the clay out finely and I am not forcing it to form a perfect square or circle. Whatever shape I get I am throwing it in or on top of plastic cups and bowls and sticking with the shape it makes. So far there has been this unique floral resemblance which I am very much enjoying. Once I make a good sample I stick to that process-- again I am letting the clay fall into place giving every piece natural variation. I have basically used mass-produced plasticware to form a one-of-a-kind set of dishes. So far I have made bowls and cups and I need to think about how to go about the plates. I am also hoping to do serving pieces and I would like to explore what would happen if I would stack a bunch of plasticware together (like 6 cups or so) and try wrapping clay around that. Hopefully all will go well. : )

Ethnic influences

Below are some ethnic potteries that I have always found inspiring. Moroccan--Chinese--African (and Israeli too, but the style is similar to the Moroccan styles)- I particularly love the textures, intricate designs ans interesting shapes.

1st Blog Entry- Sept. 6th, 2010

Part 1: I am working in the ceramics studio this semester. I have been working with clay for many years now and I generally make small scale sculptures and experimental projects. One of my favorite things to do is experiment with gemstones and crystals. I like to press swarovski cystals into clay and watch it explode into what looks like a beautiful crackle glaze. I have also used gemstones such as howlite, peridot, tiger eye, etc and they all produce different results. What I wanted to work on this semester is combining my love for experimenting with my love for dishes. I would love to get into the field of designing dishes so I want to create a portfolio of work in that genre.

One of my favorite dinnerware companies is Godinger. They do very simple work as well as things that are exotic. I particularly love their "fiori" collection as shown below. This has been a big inspiration for what I want to work on this year.

 

Part 2: Ten Links: 

1- Godinger http://www.godinger.com/default.aspx

2- Phila Museum of art, ceramics exhibition- http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/387.html

3-Flux- Philly art gallery- http://www.phillyartgalleries.com/gallery_flux_space.htm

4- U Arts- Gallery and Performance space- http://www.uarts.edu/see-do/galperfspc.html

5-Philly Art Gallery in City Hall- http://www.artsjournal.com/realcleararts/2010/06/philly-city-hall-gallery.html

6-Gross McCleaf Galley- http://www.grossmccleaf.com/

7- Vox Populi Gallery- http://www.voxpopuligallery.org/

8-Art Star- http://www.artstarphilly.com/exhibitions.html

9-Locks Gallery- http://www.locksgallery.com/

10-Nexus Gallery -http://www.nexusphiladelphia.org/