Clocks Ticking……..

Off to a flying start this week with a Glaze Workshop Induction. I am with some of the first year 3D students so it is great to hear what other folks are up to. We covered both Glazing and Oxides it has been a very long while so it is great to get a refresher and actually discover that I have not forgotten everything.

Wednesday was another induction workshop this time in the Print Workshop. It was at Grimsby Art school that I last did any screen printing on my Foundation course which is some 100 years ago, so I went into this really knowing nothing. As I did not receive an email till late o’clock the previous night about what was needed for the workshop, ie a black and white image photocopied onto acetate or tracing paper. I rather speedily put together an image of a photograph I took in Finland of some tree branches but because it was winter it had a black and white feel to it.

              

It worked really well……isn’t Screen Printing great! I loved the immediate-ness of the process how quickly the image came together. At this stage I am unsure where it will go. These past few days of inductions have been really refreshing it was so great to be using my hands and be creative, I did not realise just how much joy it gives me.

So after my tutorial off I go to investigate Materials and Glazing. Taking a look at what we have in the workshops I begin to realise that this is going to require some patience and experimenting and possibly a chemistry book….!

 

 

 

Rolling me sleeves up and on that Wheel….. a Potting I must go. Using the Ivory Stoneware clay I threw some small pots to use as part of my Glaze/Materials testing. As they are soooooooooo small I threw them off the hump, but I could not remember how to wire them off. I know that sounds really lame but I have a memory of David Frith showing me a wee trick with a piece of cotton ……….now for the life of me I don’t remember. I will have to check my note books…..The bases where a little rough so I will have to do some Turning.

Relatively successful, its all about getting familiar with the Wheel, feeling the clay and understanding the material, I have not thrown with the Ivory Stoneware before. At my workshop at home I threw some more small test pieces this time using Parian Porcelain.

I am happy to feel that I have at last started, that I can now begin to translate some of my ideas into Making, though I completely understand that I need to take small steps and not be distracted by those shiny shiny things…

And the week comes to an end with a Wood Workshop induction; I took this as I have thoughts about lids, stoppers and possibly handles in my work. This was followed by an afternoon of turning the wee pots I had made earlier in the week.   

 

Another good week………

A very unexpected weekend……I was on my way to the Quarry (Helsby Quarry) to take some piccys and to excavate a sample or two of possible materials. As I turned the corner I noticed that one of the properties was having some building work, as it was Sunday so there were no workmen around.

As Helsby Hill rises some of the houses are built into the rock and the building work had exposed a wall of Strata…….YUMMY!!!!! So with camera in hand I begin to snap away outside the property boundary. To my surprise a wee head popped out of a downstairs window and asked “how I was enjoying the Strata???” And before I knew what was happening of I go, explaining how I am a local Potter looking at using some local materials in my work and would they mind awfully if I had a wee dig and took a sample or two of the exposed rock. Help yourself was the reply, so excavating I went.

The closer I looked at the rock the more detail you begin to notice, the finest threads of different colours winding through the face, just beautiful. Though what they are ??? More research into the Quarry and it’s history is needed. Leaving with several small pots filled with, what looks mostly like sandstone, it feels like the adventure has begun.

On Tuesday we had a talk from Kevin Hunt, a Sculptor and Curator.
The images of his own work that he showed where not so inspiring, though looking on his web site there were things that did interest me. The columns and use of totems within environments, made from the everyday, how something so mundane can take on a whole new meaning by some very simple manipulation.

But it was his curatorial ideas that I connected with more. To define a space, place items, objects within it and then to invite the public into that space. Giving them some basic instructions and letting them create and alter the architecture of the space. Thus allowing the sculpture to develop and inhabit the space.

Kevin Hunt, Empty Space (detail 1), wood soaked in ink. Courtesy the artist and Kettle’s Yard. (Contemporary Art Society)

I particularly felt that this idea could be translated into a project for the Health and Wellbeing group. To allow people to express themselves without the boundaries of failure. To let go of the everyday shit and to be fully absorbed into something that they would never have imagined, very exciting. Visit his website here.

This was followed by our seminar with Dr Jane Webb ( Director of Studies: Design)
“Ways of observing, exploring, designing and reflecting”
The seminar was an exploration into how we document and to explore with both visuals and text, to try and get us to think in a broader context. The way that Jane lectures was very accessible, in terms of language used and the visuals that supported the lecture. Truly inspirational, to be exposed to ideas around process, how to connect process with the ideas.

It began by looking at collage as a way of recording and then onto how the ‘Artist’ used the media. We also covered drawing, photography and ethnography. I am a little in love with the idea of being a ‘Flaneurs’ a city stroller that wonders through society, accessing all areas, recording modern life and yet not being effected by it’s grubby undercurrents. 

                 

We then went to the library to examine some of the items from the ‘Special Collections’. The archive includes major collections of objects and books, some of which were collected when the Manchester School of Art was created in 1838. As well as historical pieces there is a collection of contemporary work .Visit the website here.

On Wednesday I had my Ceramic Workshop Induction…………YIPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! At last I can now officially get my hands dirty. Now week 7, I initially felt that I had to wait to long for the induction to happen. But actually in all honesty I think that making would only have distracted me from getting to grips with what the MA is and what it means to me. But I am not convinced that it is up to us as individuals to push for Inductions, they should sit as part of the first project………Rolling up me sleeves and purchasing me clay as we speak.

Happy as a Pig in mud ……..    Thursday was PECHA KUCHA Day……… Fortunately for me it was for Full time and 2^nd year Part Time MA’ers, so I was part of the supporting audience. It was really very interesting; I have never been presented with this form of presenting at all. PechaKucha or Pecha Kucha (Japanese: ペチャクチャ, IPA: [petɕa ku͍̥tɕa], chit-chat) is a presentation style in which 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each (6 minutes and 40 seconds in total). The format, keeps presentations concise and fast-paced.

This was really the first time that we had an opportunity to see fellow students work and understand a little about their thinking and practice. It was a mixed bag of subjects, thoughts, ideas, materials, research and creativeness. Some presentations were a real eye opener; some people were very brave and honest about themselves and their work. Some cast new light on a topic or were looking from a different perspective. They were mostly very inspirational and actually I would think that it was a process that really helped to focus your ideas and thoughts………maybe I should go through the process myself, I think that it may help me clarify some ideas.

Life after Group 3……

After the crazy busyness of the last weeks & preparing for the final presentation, I am now turning my attentions to Whats Next….???????

As the Collaborative project came to an end the group felt that we wanted to continue to meet. Maybe visit exhibitions, galleries together, discuss our work & practices, develop some ideas. I think it will be very interesting to discover where this initial research takes people, there interpretations of it & how this is reflected in their work.

So where to now? How to put together & analyse the research so far? What to take from it? Lots to think about. I am also cutely aware that it is now week 5 & I still have not been in a workshop, made anything, had a tutorial or had my hands in clay……… so with organising head on emails have been sent. I have arranged a tutorial with Helen Felcey (Programme Leader MA Design) & Sharon Blakey (Senior Lecturer – Three Dimensional Design ) on Tuesday.

In preparing for the tutorial I have been filling in the ‘Initial Design Research and Practice’ form. Not as straight forward as first thought. You have to give a brief outline of your proposed MA study, this is not set in stone & can change & develop as you progress through the course, 150 words. Well what can I say 150 have turned into 1180 so some serious editing to do.

As you can see & read I have also been working on my reflective Blog. It has been a very long time since I have used WordPress but fortunately I have the best Technical support in a Bear shape, ‘Most patient husband in the world’ award will be going to Mr Sommerville this year.

The bear, designed by Kay Bojesen.

The Blog is a great way to put together all the different elements of the course & begin to see where they overlap, respond & connect to each other. It also helps to analyse & put together all the notes & comments made through the week, as I begin to take steps into the public domain…….be gentle folks.

I understand that for my practice to develop I need to research, to understand on an intellectual level what , why and how. As I begin this journey I am beginning to feel the tingle of enjoyment and a need to research, but I also strangely feel distracted by it. Is that right? Perhaps it is the lack of making?

Surely the research & making should go hand in hand ? Perhaps I am now at the stage where these initial ideas, thoughts & discoveries need to be translated into ceramic form. Next step design & make………getting my hands dirty.

I am also aware that I need to spend time on the Health & Wellbeing report Clive gave us last week. I have begun to read it & Clive is right it is challenging, but picking through it there are some very interesting ideas. ( Sorry cannot talk about them as the Report has not yet been made public)

 

the Potter returns…..

I have enrolled onto the MA Design: Ceramics course at MMU (Manchester Metropolitan University) as a part time student. I was here for my first degree back in the days of Polytechnics……… It has changed just so much; there is a real energy about the place. The Ceramic workshops look great; actually all of the workshops are of a very high standard. And the library and its facilities are just amazing; it’s good to return to learning.

Leaving the commercial world of the IKEA blue box and my comfort zone I am equally frightened and excited. These last years have seen, the need to produce and pressures of time corrode the creative side of my job. Feeling confident about my ability in the work place and my IKEA career but not so about my own ceramic work.

Choosing to undertake a part time MA over a 2 year period will allow me the time to learn about all things ceramic, whilst developing my work and practice. To have the freedom to completely absorb myself in the learning process. Understanding the material and improving my making skills and ability in order to really master the Craft. I believe in the quality of making, ideas are lost in poorly executed work.

I intend the Blog to be a reflective response to my research, learning and making experiences on my MA journey. Thoughts, comments, feelings and feedback would be truly welcomed…..