Brooke Fine on wed 28 may 03
http://www.dicklehman.com/html/print/kanzaki2.html
Dick Lehman conducted an interview with the distinguished potter Shiho
Kanzaki this in an
excerpt, for the entire interview see the site above.
"Before everything, I would like to review for you my basic thoughts
concerning the making of ceramic works and how it is that we can live
fully in this world. I believe that our spirits and thoughts are what
make our ceramics. The making of ceramics and our attitude towards
living are closely related. The two may seem to be unrelated at a glance
but I think that the relationship between the two is important. An
attitude of disarray towards living can cause us to make works which
have a 'wrong spirit' or which are without soul. However, the reverse is
also true: sometimes when we see certain ceramic works, we get a feeling
of emotion and they touch our hearts. Now I believe that our response to
this work is not simply because of the shape, or due to excellent
technique, or the beauty of the surface. These ceramic works possess the
spirit, soul and personal history of the potter. This is why we might be
so impressed with these particular ceramic works. For if the beauty of a
ceramic work exists only in its good shape, design and colour, I suspect
that its effect upon us may fade over the years. But if the spirit, the
heart and the soul of the potter are in the pieces, these ceramic works
can touch our heart and soul for many years.
The art of ceramics isn't to be found in technique and skill alone. We
must extend beyond technique. And it is those who are extending beyond
technique who are becoming real potters: living within their spirits,
thoughts and religion. Because they have already discarded their sense
of self-will, they live in freedom. They move in a living way. As a
result their works have a feeling of strength, and are full of life. It
is important that we live our lives purposefully. Our spirits, thoughts
and hearts -- all parts of us -- are constantly changing when we live
with this sense of purpose. As we each strive to live up to the best
that we know as a way of life, then that is when the ceramic work is the
potter...the potter becomes embodied in the ceramic work itself. Out of
our moments of true being come the ceramic work."
There is lots more provocative stuff in the interview especially about
the tea ceremony and seemingly poorly made bowls.
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