The North- West Ceramics Foundation is hosting a public lecture by Amy Gogarty on the subject of Relational Ceramics.

If you’re unsure about what exactly that is read the following from the press release:

““Relational Aesthetics,” a concept developed by French curator Nicholas Bourriaud, has created frisson in the art world through its linking to a series of exhibitions that stress participation, interactivity and “event” over residue or artifact. Asserting that “all works of art produce models of sociability,” Bourriaud evaluates artworks “on the basis of the inter-human relations they represent, produce or prompt.” While generally considered “outside” the exalted circle of fine art, functional ceramics generate exemplary models of sociability; which by their nature “prompt” inter-human relations. Functional ceramics resist exhibition on plinths in the “white cube” of the gallery; instead, they operate performatively in rituals of eating, drinking and commensal exchange. My presentation will examine functional ceramics in light of relational aesthetics, using primarily contemporary Canadian examples. Examining ways in which functional ceramics perform rather than how they look or how they are made reveals surprising continuities between ceramics and other forms of contemporary visual art practice.”

I’ve had the opportunity to hear Amy speak twice now and she’s fantastic! Well worth it.

Check it out:
Thursday, June 12, 2008
7:30pm – 9:30pm
Emily Carr University, North Building room 245
1399 Johnston St
Vancouver, BC