Layered: Collaborations by Simon Levin & Amy Smith

Simon
Levin and Amy Smith are two artists that AKAR has represented
individually and then together in group invitationals with their
collaborative sets. On July 11th they will have a solo show entitled, Layered: Collaborations by Simon Levin & Amy Smith.
 

Lincoln,
NE artist Amy Smith and Gresham, WI artist Simon Levin have been
working individually in their studios, but jointly in concept. Shipping
work back and forth, they design pieces that are compelling and
articulate, that remain independent, yet enhance each other, creating a
whole that is greater.

This is a true dialogue between pieces, a literal back
and forth of making, refining and developing, a conceptual and formal
evolution evidenced in the paired pieces, where visions combine while
the essence of each is upheld, creating something new, unexpected and
compelling.

Amy’s calming porcelain pieces are cold and crisp while
Simon’s wood fired work is full of dramatic surface, but what they have
in common is the showcasing of raw clay. Once their pieces are paired
they reflect off each other and create something surprising and
beautiful. Amy and Simon’s collaborative pairings are unique not only
because of the contrast within their sets, but unlike most
collaborations these two have never worked on the same piece or even
step foot in the same studio.

Layered: Collaborations by Simon Levin & Amy Smith
opens this Friday, July 11th, at 9:30 AM in the Iowa City gallery and
online at 10:00 AM CST. View the show at www.akardesign.com.

movie day: The Potter from Turquoise Mountain

The Potter from Turquoise Mountain on Vimeo.

Abdul Matin is a potter from the village of
Istalif. Nestled in the foothills of the Hindu Kush, Istalif is home to a
pottery tradition stretching back over 400 years. Using traditional
techniques, materials and designs, Matin is keeping Afghanistan’s
pottery traditions alive. As a teacher at the Turquoise Mountain
Institute in Kabul he passes on his knowledge to Afghanistan’s next
generation of craftsmen, and as a businessman he sells his pottery all
over the world, from London to Dubai. This video tells his extraordinary
story.

Abdul Matin is supported by Turquoise Mountain, a charity
regenerating the Old City of Kabul and reviving the Afghan Crafts
Industry. To check out the work of other Afghan artisans like Matin
visit turquoisemountainarts.org