The function of function
Lately I’ve been working on my functional work a lot more, primarily because my soon to be new studio is in the process of being insulated and my current work space in the basement of my house is poorly lit and has only enough room to house my wheel and a limited number of drying pots. But I’m not complaining as I love a concentrated time to focus on either body of work without distraction. But the functional has gotten me thinking again lately…I think I question myself more about my reasoning or justification for making objects in an object saturated world in relation to the functional work over the figurative work. Likely because of the more obvious intent and desire for critical dialogue that the figurative work brings forth. But my aim has always been for the functional work to also compel dialogue, particularly about sustainability of design over disposability, the handmade as an environmental/social/political stance, as resistance to market driven desires over and above the desire of the consumer and finally as a means to address the individuality of that consumer in the face of homogenizing marketing practices.
But then there is a reality that sets in when the work itself, imbued with whatever meaning I desire for it, is presented to the public and somehow the most common question then becomes, “what is this for?”. Well this is a bowl, it’s for eating out of, serving food, holding paperclips, water for your cat, sitting on a shelf unused but perhaps visually appreciated, but likely collecting dust. Some days I feel like my intent falls flat. But the intent is itself likely quite esoteric anyway and therefore who cares. But I question myself when I’m making the work what I can be happy with, what makes making the work meaningful and rewarding enough for me to continue. And I think what it comes down to is the simple appreciation that I’ve caught glimpses of in the faces of those who have purchased or received a piece. There is an awareness I like to think, of the patience, the consideration, the skills, the dedication and the love that goes into each piece that I think the owner gets on some level and that to me taps into all of the intent and content that I try to put in the work.
Recently I returned to Edmund DeWaal’s website . Way back in my early days of throwing I often looked to his work for inspiration. And a lot of his more recent installation work sparked interesting questions about the presentation of functional wares and their use value, in particular how this use value can fluctuate between traditional notions of function and more conceptual notions of function.
I find this second image from his site particularly compelling. It’s from a 2 part exhibition in two separate locations, one Kettle’s Yard and this one at mima (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art). There is an interesting play undertaken by the artist which melts together the history of functional wares, traditional forms and historically revered glazes, the personal and social lives of pots and the cultural signifiers that they become through museological interpretation. The approach taken by De Waal to both address the material in space as well as the space’s intervention or influence on the material is both poetic and inspiring, hinting to me of numerous associations, whilst remaining simplistic and focused on it’s meaning.
On the site there are various downloads definitely worth a good read. The one for this specific project is a catalogue of essays which will take you much farther into De Waal’s work then could ever be accomplished here. And beyond that the photos alone are worth the visit.
There is a quote by Jorunn Veiteberg from the catalogue that is beautifully elaborated upon which states; “It is no longer just porcelain that is his medium, but also the museum itself.”
I guess I have a lot to ponder today as I humbly take my seat at my wheel and begin to mold and manipulate the clay. There is so much to consider beyond the object itself, beyond the medium itself. Beyond the function.
Here’s wishing you a creative and productive day.
