Thursday, February 16, 2012

Sea Urchin

wpid sea cup 1 Sea Urchin Porcelain Cup

The cup above was inspired by a sea urchin. It is made using high fire (2200F) porcelain clay and covered with smooth white and aqua blue glazes. It's interesting to see the contrast of the organic nature at the bottom melded with the precision and regularity that is found at the top. The character of this simple form is completely altered by this unusual splaying at its base.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Folded Bowl



This piece was done by Ann Van Hoey.  The ideas of layer, overlaps, and folding merge in this bowl creating a very unique ceramic.  After many iterations she has a made a gorgeous bowl with precise edges, thin walls, and an overall round shape out of 90 degree angels.

I wonder if it is water tight?  If so I can't imagine how long it took her to make the folds while keeping it so smooth and flawless.

http://www.artaurea.com/magazin/224-ceramic-origami

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Marcel Wanders



Two of the main reasons why I decided to experiment with ceramic casting are these:

The Airborne Snotty Vase (based on the shape of a discharge particle from a nasal disease such as influenza or sinusitis) :






























and the Egg Vase (based on the shape produced by hard boiled eggs dropped inside a latex rubber condom):


Monday, February 13, 2012

Eva Zeisel "Maker of useful things"

Eva Zeisel was an Austrian born Industrial designer famous for her organic and natural ceramic work. After she moved to America, her work became more popular and she even called herself the "maker of useful things." While all of her pieces are useful, they all also maintain a very organic and almost human element.

Eva passed away December 30, 2011 at the age of 105. Her work has recently had a reemergence into popularity.

She has a lengthy interview on design and the approach she takes to ceramics, which I have provided the link to.

A wonderful woman who will be missed by the design world.

FACETURE {phil cuttance}

http://vimeo.com/35912908

He's using a kind of resin, instead of clay... interesting process nonetheless.  Could it be slip cast as a ceramic piece?


Pixel Machine



Here is a little inspiration for what you can do with molds.

Pixel Machine

Thursday, February 2, 2012

A multi-faceted material

I've been wanting to try my hand at ceramics for awhile, I just love how pliable and transformative it can be. I've worked with clay and I knew that I was a miserable hand-builder; keep me away from the wheel unless you want to be splattered! But I knew learning some new casting techniques, that I'd be able to do some really great things. The possibilities are seriously limitless.
Take, for example, what ShiKai Tseng (an art grad student from London) did with his vases:


Here's a great video explaining Tseng's process!
I can't wait to see what we'll be able to make clay do by the end of the semester, as well!

Something new...

Hey everyone,

I don't have any experience with pottery, but I needed another class to graduate this May. None-the-less it seems this class will improve my design awareness by engaging me with hands-on exercises to develop form with a new medium, CLAY!

Since we are currently focused on tiles, I took a peak at my old pictures from my study abroad trip to Spain. This is an entrance to a garden palace in Granada, Spain. Notice the blue and yellow inlaid tiles framing the door entrance. The image just doesn't do justice to how much detail has been carved into this wall. Oh how I wish I could return...

Keith