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Course Description

Summary

This objective of this class is to help students learn a set of handbuilding techniques in the ceramic arts that have given rise to a vast history of ideas using the hollow form. Unlike traditional sculptural techniques used in wood, stone and metal, ceramic forms have depended on the interior space, the void, to define both symbolic meaning and formal structure. This class will help students gain confidence in their capacity to build ceramic forms and the foundation to continue in ceramics. Projects will be conceptually geared around issues surrounding vessel and sculptural forms and will require personal investigation and resolution. We will also be developing work using drawing/ collage materials to develop concepts which will help inform the students’ three diamensional work in clay. Student presentations covering various historical perspectives will be required. Students will be expected to participate in all aspects of the ceramic process, covering clay mixing, glazing and loading off kilns. Some materials will be required to be purchased for this course. This class will meet twice a week. To minimize attendance in the studio, only half the class will meet in-person at one time. The in-person classes will meet in the ceramics studio and will be hands-on and demonstration based. The second-class meeting of the week will be asynchronous and will include lectures, introducing readings and research that connect and expand on the hands-on assignments. For students studying remotely they will be able to create forms based on materials available at home. Materials such as paper, cardboard, paper mache, tape, glue will be the primary building used to build the assignments. Remote students will also follow along with the asynchronous sections of the class. If the College deems it necessary to go to remote only instruction, this class will utilize home-based materials and will focus on research.