Art 261 – Basic Ceramics
II
Exercise-in-Technique
Assignments
Art
261, Basic Ceramics II is designed to further enhance your skill level and
knowledge in terms of working with clay.
It is set up primarily to develop and improve wheel throwing skills/techniques
which is the usual sequence at most colleges and universities. It is suggested/highly recommended that you
maintain a portfolio with photo and/or slide documentation of the work you
completed for Art 261 in the event you transfer to another institution of
higher learning and you wish to receive transfer credit. There will be five assigned projects, each
worth one credit. Participation in glaze
mixing, kiln loading and firing is required.
As in first quarter, sketches and appropriate information are required
prior to undertaking each project. In
addition, there are Exercise-in-Technique assignments as follows:
Exercise-in-Technique
Assignments
A. Five different wheel thrown shapes on the
cylinder (minimum dimensions for each is 4 inches across by 6 inches in height)
as follows: three out of “A”-body studio
clay for cone 10 firing; one out of low fire white clay for underglazing; one
out of RAKU clay for RAKU firing; and one out of Terra Cotta clay.
B. Two wheel thrown plated (8-12 inches across
for each) out of “A” – body studio clay for engobe (slip) decoration.
1. VESSEL…to
design and execute a hollowed-out, “container” form, functional or
sculptural. This does not refer to a
boat, though it could end up being one.
Sketches due by the fourth class meeting.
2. PLATTER…to
design and execute a large (over 12 inches across) wheel thrown flat form where
the primary goal is a very personal surface treatment and secondarily
development of the skill to throw a platter.
Sketches due one week after the 2-D slide lecture.
3. SECTIONAL
FORM…basically a three dimensional form (utilitarian or sculptural)
consisting of more than one component fitted together, i.e. wheelthrown plus
wheelthrown or handbuilt, etc. You may
choose to make a mold for this project and incorporate aware produced from the
mold. Other “media” might be
incorporated. Sketches due one week
after the 3-D slide lecture.
4. PLACE SETTING…to design and execute a
three or more piece “special” place setting including at least one bowl form,
one plate, and one cup or glass. The
design (both form and surface) should be very personal as in for “me,” for
someone specific like the President, for a special event, or for yourself. Sketches due during the sixth week and the
completed project due at the end of the quarter.
5. TEAPOT
or SOUP TUREEN…to design and execute either an extremely personal teapot or
soup tureen, two specific types/pieces of ware commonly associated with being
made of clay. Functional or
non-functional. Research from a
historical as well as contemporary perspective is HIGHLY recommended. Sketches due by the end of the seventh week
and the object(s) due at the end of the quarter.
A
group critique of all five projects, including exercise-in-technique assignments
will occur during final’s week.
Attendance and participation are mandatory.