September 18, 2009
It’s Gravy! How to Throw a Visually Pleasing and Functionally Sound Sauce Boat on the Pottery Wheel
 Making pottery that looks beautiful is one type of challenge. Making pottery that functions well is another. But making pottery that looks beautiful AND functions well, that is even more tricky. It is what we all strive for, but sometimes we do not consider how the two work together. It is all too easy to concentrate on one or the other, rather than both. Our good friend Robin Hopper wrote the book on considering both (literally - see Functional Pottery: Form and Aesthetic in Pots of Purpose), and he also made a DVD adaptation of said book. Today, I am excerpting a clip from that DVD. In it, Robin demonstrates throwing a simple sauce boat on the potters wheel, while discussing the aesthetic and functional issues that go into its design. - Jennifer Harnetty, editor. |
|
|
|
This clip was excerpted from Form and Function: Ceramic Aesthetics and Design, which is available now in the Ceramic Arts Daily Bookstore.
Tags: Criticism and Aesthetics, Functional Pottery, Robin Hopper, Wheel Throwing Techniques
Cindy | September 18th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Brilliant! Thank you so much for posting this!
Brenda | September 18th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL VIDEO. I ACTUALLY HAVE ALL OF YOUR VIDEO’S AND WATCHING THIS MAKES ME WANT TO DIG THEM OUT OF THE CLOSET AND WATCH AGAIN.
I THINK YOU ARE “IT” WHEN IT COMES TO TRADITIONAL, FUNCTIONAL POTTERY!
THAT IS THE KIND I ENJOY DOING, BUT WILL NEVER CATCH UP TO YOU.
THANKS AGAIN
BRENDA BAKER
potterybybrendab.com
shawn | September 18th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Should always end with a glazed finished piece !!!
Bella | September 18th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Adorei,fantástico.Obrigada pela postagem!
Abraços Bella Souza
http://ceramistabellasouza.blogspot.com/
jackie | September 18th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
keep these coming!
Maria | September 19th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Your videos incite me to go right away to the studio and try to duplicate the process. This to me is the purpose of these videos. And I always have ideas as how to add to them with glaze, texture, decoration of some sort. Thank you for your time and wisdom.
Sara | September 19th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I consider myself a movice potter. Currently in a ceramic class at Mountian View College/Dallas Texas. Our instructor wants us to chose a potter to study their technique–I have chosen Robin Hopper. “We” students have to give a short lecture about the artist and show picture of that artist’s work. I agree with His view that pottery should be not only atractive but also functional. Robin Hopper’s vidios are a big help. Thank you for making the vidios
Sincerey, Sara Solomon
Marcia | September 20th, 2009 at 9:05 am
I loved the functionality of the gravy “boat” but visualy it was delightfully different than the traditional shape. The video was easy to follow. Thank you.
Travis | September 21st, 2009 at 4:22 am
Thanks for the video, I am a 69 yr. old beginner pottier and find that he is very easy to follow. Am looking forward to some more. Thanks
Brigitta | September 21st, 2009 at 11:51 am
I am glad to have seen your video of the gravy boat. I had recently made 3 similar shaped vases, without the handles and spouts but had just squeezed the sides in with a flexible rib. Your method seems to be so much easier. The only difference besides you using more water was that I had thrown the cylinders with a bottom in them. Thanks for your no-nonsense presentations. They are always very educational.
Brigitta
jean | September 21st, 2009 at 4:49 pm
This was marvelous and inspirational - I will definitely be trying this one out - thanks
Jean