emerging artist: Lindsay Scypta

The
table is the place where a need becomes a want. Something we have to
do—eat—becomes something we care to do—dine, and then something we care
to do becomes something we try to do with grace. Eating together is the
civilizing act, we take urges and tame them into tastes. 
—Adam Gopnik

The
table comes first, then the dishes, food, individuals and conversation.
There is trust and fear that comes with the meal—a trust that with an
honest conversation, knives will not be raised in anger, and a fear that
customs and rituals are not universally understood. Taste is our most
intimate sense, and the table is where we experience it socially. My
studio practice pivots around these notions of the table, and how the
work could bring people back to this place of social intimacy. In the
1880s dinnerware was advertised to women just like high fashion, where
the table was the mannequin that needed dressed. I am pushing ideas of
social iteration at the table through my towers, choreographing the
progression of the meal by stacking the dishes to be unwrapped as a gift
together. By investigating historical meals, I am able to imagine the
choreography of the footmen, who gracefully moved from guest to guest,
and guest to sideboard, and then to consider the modern hostess,
who scrambles to prepare the meal for her guests. These towers replace
the footmen and the frantic host, commenting subtly on such social
implications through their utilitarian attributes. I am using food as a
way of seeing the world, the tableware to create rituals through
decorum, and the table to build camaraderie. As the maker it is my
greatest wish to see these objects in use in the world, although beyond
this notion, my greater desire is through their utility, the necessity
of the table within the home becomes indisputable.

Lindsay Scypta
Clay Art Center 2013-2014 Artist In Residence 

call for entry: 16th International Chawan Expo in Singapore

The 16th international Chawan expo held in Singapore. As always, the expo will be open for all
ceramists that make good Chawan.

Expo dates 6 to 14 September 2014.
Location: Teochew Building 97 Tank Road Spore 238066
http://www.ngeeann.com.sg/en/home-map/

Participation fee: 150€ – 261SGD- 206USD – 125GBP – 233AUD – 221CAD – 1250CNY –
6200TWD – 21685JPY – 1345SEK -1599HKD – 1120DKK.

If you need the participant fee in your own currency, please kindly check it with an online
money converter.
Payment fee deadline after selection is 30 March 2014.
Application deadline: 21 March 2014.
• Each participant will exhibit 3 Chawan and receive 1 free catalogue.
• Participants will pay for the shipment and reshipments of the works
• Organization will take 30% from the sales prizes
• Works are insured at the expo.
• Local ceramist Steven Low Thia Kwang and Ng Yang Ce, with the help of a number
of local organizations, will organize Singapore expo.

Please submit application information to [email protected] :
• 3 photos of 3 different Chawan – 300dpi.
• A Conceptual Description of Chawan, limitation of 150 words, English Written

Photos and text are for the catalogue of which photos can be changed later on.
Selection of Chawan is highly based on the artwork seen through the photos from
submission. Hence individual resumes or portfolios are unnecessary.

Started in 2005, Chawan Expo has been a very successful international non-profit expo
project, touring for exposition in Europe, America and Asia. Independent from politics and
religion, the exposition is organized to foster well friendship between International Ceramist.
It is meant to be a bridge between Artists and international art world, opening new
possibilities for each artist, exposing their Chawan in places that are beyond their reach.
During the period of Expo, there will be seminars, demonstrations and master classes
arranged to encourage a greater scope of sharing between the International and Local
Artists. Also, forthcoming Artists will be invited to create a few works and scheduled to fire
the Thow Kwang Dragon Kiln together. Following the opening of the kiln, a small
exhibition/showcase would be put up to compliment each and every participant for his or her
contributions. A further elaboration of the event will be given after the selection.
For more information, please visit: www.chawanexpo.com
Or mail to [email protected]
Lou Smedts – Curator Singapore Chawan expo

Help Christa Assad Get Muddy Again!

When Christa jumped from the second story porch of her burning house, she saved her own life, but she also fractured her lumbar spine. Three weeks later, she is trying to pick up the pieces (after subsequently breaking her nose and lacerating her eye lid!). Her life’s possessions—clothes, books, documents, her mother’s wedding dress— were all lost in the fire.

For the next three months, she must wear a brace that will protect her healing back, will be unable to make a living as an artist, and will be living in temporary housing. Christa is grateful to be alive, but she needs financial help to cover living costs and rehabilitation.

There are two ways to help out:

1. Simply make a donation in the amount of your choice.

2. You can make a donation of $25 or more and enter yourself into a raffle to win art, generously donated from artists within the ceramics community.

$25=one raffle ticket, $50=two raffle tickets, etc…
You can view the donated pieces in the gallery section.
At the time that you donate, specify the name of the artist whose piece you would like
Names of winners will be drawn at the end of the campaign
If your name is drawn, the piece will be shipped to you free of charge by the artist
Every donation, no matter the size counts and is greatly appreciated! Please share and help spread the word. – See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-christa-assad-get-muddy-again-/143960#sthash.VGNLve6o.dpuf

Below is my contribution to the raffle to raise funds. There’s some pretty amazing pieces up for grabs by some great artists. Make sure to check it out and support it if you can.