ceramics I
COURSE INFORMATION
Welcome to Ceramics one! I am very glad that you decided to take this Ceramics class. This semester, we will be exploring clay as a material, as an important element of history in many cultures, as a process from mixing to firing, and as a product, both in sculptural and functional terms. As with any course, you will get out of your studies in art what you put into them. I hope you are as excited as I am to begin our explorations in the ceramic arts!
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Clay is one of the oldest and most universal media. Throughout history, it shows up in the art of almost every culture. During this semester long course you will explore this fascinating medium through hand building and the pottery wheel. You will become acquainted with the techniques that allow you to throw pottery on the wheel and make sculpture with hand building techniques such as coil building and slab building. You will study this medium's history and learn about its limitations and possibilities. Some outside class work required.
GOALS
At the end of this course, you should be able to:
-Use the potters’ wheel with a basic level of proficiency, and apply basic handbuilding and decoration techniques.
-Understand clay terminology and other elements and principles of art.
-Create functional and non-functional pieces of pottery.
-Identify applicable aesthetic and historical aspects of clay and the ceramic arts.
-Appreciate the arts through the medium of clay.
-Give and receive constructive criticism appropriately.
Download Course Information in Sketchbook Size (PDF)
CURRENT PROJECT
1/18/08 - 1/25/08
Centering/Throwing Practice
Goal: 5” Cylinder
OTHER INFORMATION
CURRENT SKETCHBOOK
2: ENVIRONMENT: DUE THURSDAY 1/24
Sketch three items in your home or school environment that appear to be made from ceramic materials. Try to make your drawings detailed with indicators like size, texture, dimensions, volume, form, etc... feel free to take notes with your drawing if it helps to clarify the form you are sketching.
3: RESEARCH (Due Wed. 2/6/08)
Do some visual research! We learn about ourselves as artists by identifying the sorts of work to which we are drawn. Use the books in the classroom or library, or websites like the ones posted at www.kateplows.net (on the 'links' page) to identify THREE CERAMICS WORKS OF ART that you particularly like. Copy the pictures on a copier, or print the pictures out from the website, and attach these three pieces in your sketchbook.
Reference each image as follows:
TITLE: ________________
ARTIST: _______________
SOURCE: _______________ (if a website, include entire URL; if a book or magazine, indicate page(s); if a magazine, indicate date
For each selected piece, write 2- 3 sentences that indicate WHY you like the piece. Please try to use indicators like:
Colors
Texture
Function
Form
Shape
Space/Volume
Surface Quality
Craftsmanship
Degree of challenge/difficulty/complexity
Etc…
You are also free to select as one of your three one piece you do NOT like, and explain why….
**DO NOT USE GOOGLE IMAGE SEARCH.**