by Carole Epp | Aug 5, 2014 | Uncategorized
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| The exhibition space at the CRC Brickyard |
Ceramic Research Center Makes A Move
by Tom Budzak (www.tombudzak.com)
photos by Melissa Budzak
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| The exhibition space at the CRC Brickyard |
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| The exhibition space at the CRC Brickyard |
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| A view of the display cases and works by Jun Kaneko |
With over 3,500 pieces from the 1950s to the present, the ASU Art
Museum’s Ceramic Research Center houses one of the most significant
collections of contemporary ceramics in the U.S. As you can imagine,
when the center needed to relocate a mile down the road due to
construction near campus it was no small feat. The new location, know as
the Brickyard, provides the same access for students, scholars and the
public for research and inspiration. There is open storage of the
permanent collection and a exhibition space for curated shows. There is
something for everyone in the CRC’s collection; hours can be lost
looking through the cabinets at the truly impressive mixture of ceramic
pieces. The new, larger space allowed for the addition of a retail shop
that showcases talented local and national ceramic artists.
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| Polka-Dot Mushroom. Allan Widenhofer, 1967, glazed stoneware 19×13 inches |
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| Discover America. Erik Gronborg, 1972, glazed earthenware, lusters, 3 ¼ x 13 ¼ x 15 3/8 inches |
In addition to a change in location, there will soon be a change in
curator. In his final show as curator prior to his retirement after 11
years, Peter Held pulled together a fantastic show centered on the idea
of the passion and compulsion in people to collect. The show, These
Are Some of My Favorite Things, features permanent collection pieces
alongside eight collections on loan from private collectors. The show
highlights cabinets of curiosities, knickknacks, and creative tableaus
from local artists, designers and the public-at-large. There are kitschy
pieces, wood, watercolors, found objects and, of course, ceramic
works. The eight collections on loan include: Cyndi Coon (small white
objects); Emily Long (vintage Arizona objects); Gretchen Freeman (folk
and naïve art); Mark Klett (sunrise sticks); Randall and Katherine
Schmidt (military trench art); Joe Willie Smith (African folk and naïve
art); Kathleen Vanesian (Mexican folk art) and Kurt Weiser (childhood
and travel memorabilia). All of the collections have their own appeal,
but Kurt Weiser’s collection of odds and ends is delightful and a great
incite into possible inspiration in the studio.
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| One of Kurt Weiser’s cabinets from his studio show the items from childhood and travel memorabilia that serve as inspiration. |
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| One of Kurt Weiser’s cabinets from his studio show the items from childhood and travel memorabilia that serve as inspiration. |
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| Cyndi Coon’s collection of small white objects evoke a peaceful nostalgia and show her eye for design. |
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| Cyndi Coon’s collection of small white objects evoke a peaceful nostalgia and show her eye for design. |
The pieces that were chosen by Peter Held from the permanent collection
focused on the Funk Movement of ceramics. The Funk Movement is one of
Held’s favorite time periods in the growth in the American studio
ceramics. Robert Arneson at the University of California-Davis
influenced the Funk Movement greatly, guiding students to explore new
areas in the medium. Fittingly, one of the stand out pieces was Robert
Arneson’s “House Box” from 1966 (Stoneware, Luster that measures 8 ½ x 8
x 5 ¾ inches). Other artists included in the show are Fred Bauer,
David Gilhooly, Erik Gronborg, Peter VandenBerge and Patti Warashina.
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| Firey. Sergei Isupov, 2009, stoneware, stain, glaze, 25 ¾ x 19 ½ x18 inches |
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| The cases at the CRC are currently organized by the decade, so viewers can take a tour of ceramics from 1950 to the present. |
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| Firey. Sergei Isupov, 2009, stoneware, stain, glaze, 25 ¾ x 19 ½ x18 inches |
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| The Museum Store showcases talented local and national ceramic artists. |
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| A view of one of the display cabinets featuring present day ceramics. |
The show opened on July 19th and the closing reception is on October 4th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
ASU Art Museum Brickyard
699 South Mill Ave, Suite 108, Tempe, AZ
480.965.7092
asuartmuseum.asu.edu/ceramicsresearchcenter/
The ASU Art Museum is part of the Herberger
Institute for Design and the Arts at
Arizona State University.
by Carole Epp | Aug 2, 2014 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
Michael Lorsung – Artist Statement
I am interested in objects that are human made, but not necessarily hand made. I love the idea that as a species we have largely created the contemporary world that we live in and interact with on a daily basis. Our relationship to the objects that run through our lives is largely passive in so far as our thoughtfulness about their origins. Because of the ubiquitous nature of human made objects coupled with the throwaway, utilitarian culture we live in, it seems we frequently dismiss or simply never recognize the beauty in these things.
My work is an attempt at giving time and attention to objects from my own life that I find beautiful; whether these inanimate, soulless things want my attention or not. I care. Be it a grain silo whose form follows its innate function is beautiful in the way that sailboats are, as is a wrench on a tool bench that bears the marks of years of use or disuse by its owner. The objects themselves are monuments to our abilities, and their ubiquitous, oftunappreciated existences serve as reminders of the hubris that we project as a materially privileged culture.
I make these objects because I truly do believe that we do not recognize how much of ourselves as humans are inside of the man made things around us. Through the process of leaving my marks, drawings, and narratives on the surfaces of these pieces I am trying to leave the viewer with the sense that the meaning in the objects is created indeed by the user, and becomes part of the object’s history, despite its inauspicious beginning as an object of pure utility or function.
by Carole Epp | Aug 2, 2014 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
THEME: Lively Experiments
DEADLINE: September 30, 2014
NCECA’s Emerging Artists
program recognizes exceptional early career artists highlighting them to
an international audience during NCECA’s Annual Conference and
promoting them year round through
blog.nceca.net. The awards include opportunities for increased exposure through exhibition and special events.
NCECA believes that those creating work offering
new/exciting/thoughtful perspectives on the ceramic medium, expanding
upon genres of creative production and inquiry are qualified as
candidates for its Emerging Artist awards. An Emerging Artist may be at
the early stages of receiving recognition for his/her work but is
currently underrepresented through exhibitions or publications that
might otherwise bring the work to wide attention. The intent of the
award is to recognize, cultivate and amplify vital, new voices of
creative endeavor in ceramics. The award enables these artists to reach
broader national and international audiences and impact discourse in the
field.”
Because the concept of emergence in the arts does not invariably
correlate with a specific age, or other quantifiable terms, NCECA
requires applicants to briefly describe why they perceive themselves to
be at an emergent point in their careers and how they anticipate the
award will impact the trajectory of their endeavors. The review
committee, at their discretion, may eliminate candidates that are
considered to be beyond “emerging.” Applicants are also required to
provide letters of support from two figures in the field who are
familiar with their work and drive to create. Letters should provide the
selection committee with a sense of confirmation of the candidates’
seriousness of commitment and potential for continued development.
Application deadline: September 30, 2014
Open to: artists working with ceramic materials/processes as a
significant component of their work. A current NCECA Membership, at the
time of application, is required to be eligible to apply for NCECA’s
Emerging Artists. Applicants may not be students.
Full details here.
by Carole Epp | Aug 1, 2014 | Uncategorized
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| Heather Woodson |
My Work…
I have been an observer of human behavior before my first memories are
able to recall. I have been specifically intrigued with family dynamics
and body language. In my work, I strive to capture a visual
representation of specific emotions or behavioral traits. I work in cone
6 stoneware and a local clay that I mine in my suburban backyard. I use
a combination of commercial and hand made glazes and finishes. Some
works are fired in a Weber grill for a ‘pit fired’ finish and other are
fired to cone 6 in an electric kiln.
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| Christina Cordova |
Artists who inspire me…
Christina Cordova’s ability to capture, express and invoke emotion, mesmerizes me.
Diego Valles, and the Mata Ortiz potters, inspire me to connect with the
earth and traditional methods. I am also in awe of their fluid forms
with simple, yet intricate finishes.
Demetre Chiparus combined metal and stone in the most seamless and
elegant way. His sculptures have their own energies and personalities.
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| Diego Valles |
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| Demetre Chiparus |
Heather Woodson
Ceramic Artist/Instructor
www.heatherwoodson.webs.com
http://hwceramics.blogspot.com
