COURSE INFORMATION

Welcome to Ceramics 3!  This semester, we will be continuing the progression of technical skills, conceptual ideas, and quality of product that you developed in Ceramics I and II.   We will begin to look at clay as a contemporary media for both sculpture and functional work.  Three particular concentrations of this course will be varying the scale of your work, combining handbuilding techniques with thrown forms, and studying the work of contemporary ceramic artists as a starting point for developing concepts. As with any course, you will get out of your studies in art what you put into them.  By the end of this course, you should develop a body of ceramic work and the terminology to express your ideas in an artist’s statement. 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students will learn alternative techniques from throwing on the wheel.  The art of sculptural form will be explored. Some outside class work required.  Work will be expected to be of small and large work.  Work should start to reflect a certain style and must be crafted in a way that will draw on some historical pieces.

TEXT

-HANDOUTS and resource materials will be required reading for course.  Handouts and resource materials must be attached and kept in the sketchbook.

-SKETCHBOOKS will be provided and used as textbook, workbook, and idea book for this class.  Please continue to use your Ceramics I/II sketchbook.  This is a visual course, so references from books, the internet, and your own drawings will be required for most assignments.  Reference materials should be collected in your sketchbook; this will usually be assigned as homework, but additional research may be necessary for certain projects.

-HOMEWORK SITE should be checked regularly for resource materials, handouts, and project deadlines.

Download Syllabus in Sketchbook Format (PDF)

CURRENT SKETCHBOOK

1:  CUPS SKETCHES - Due 1/24

Sketches:

1.Plagarized Five – sketch each cup.  Your option is to either DIRECTLY PLAGARIZE at least three in the set and REFERENCE two, or to reference portions of the other artists’ work in each cup (i.e. “I took this handle design from Suze Lindsay’s cup because…”)

2.Identical Set – Sketch one.

3.Series or progression of five – sketch your idea; show the progression in your sketch. 

TEN CUPS DUE ON FRIDAY 1/25

2:  LIDDED STORY VESSEL CONCEPTS - Due 2/7

Our next project will be a lidded vessel designed to contain a story.  You can base this vessel on a book, song, poem, journal, or other narrative of your choice.  Previous students have based this project on everything from children’s books (Dr. Seuss, anyone?) to Clockwork Orange to a personal journal entry to favorite Beatles’ tunes.  The important thing is that your vessel must tell a story, with specific design elements on the OUTSIDE and specific design elements on the INSIDE.  Consider plot.  Your design will be carried out using carved and added surface design, as well as the overall shape and design of the vessel and lid.

We will be first practicing some smaller lidded vessels to get the hang of creating a lid.  In the meantime, start sketching for your design.  For this week, please choose AT LEAST TWO IDEAS for a book, song, poem, journal, or narrative and include these written entries in your sketchbook (copies are fine).  Explain your choices OR do some preliminary sketching.

CURRENT PROJECT

TWENTY CUPS ASSIGNMENT

TEN CUPS DUE ON FRIDAY 1/25

OTHER INFORMATION