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science/pots/art

updated wed 14 jul 04

 

mel jacobson on tue 13 jul 04


without question we are potters because
we love the marriage of pots/clay/science/art and craft.

it is what makes us totally unique in the world.

we would not be happy potters without the challenge.

we use observation, notes, history.
we use our sense of timing, and weights and measures.
we use heat, heat measurement.
we use earth chemistry every day.
our lives are full of chemistry, physics, art, design.
and then we build things.

science is our friend and ally.
art is our friend and ally.
craft is our friend and ally.

how can we be separate?
we cannot.
being a potter, in the tradition of thousands of
years of men and women who have used the earth
as craft is a gift. there is no fight, no dispute....science
and craft and art are wed in one. it does not mean
that you have to get a degree in chemistry to belong. it
means that you try your best to understand the theory
and concepts of earth chemistry. it is vital.
and, without question, you do not have to have genius
level thinking. a great deal of it is natural.
earth, water and fire. pretty basic ideas.
it can be learned.
just don't throw away the science part as being too
hard to do. science is giving we potters many gifts right
now. try to accept them.
mel
when we get out of balance, or try to let one of the
elements drive us, our craft suffers.
if all you think about is chemistry, well no pots get done.
it just one long life of research.
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: my.pclink.com/~melpots
or try: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
new/ http://www.rid-a-tick.com