With such an intriguing title as Thinking is Clay, which features the work of Nobuko Tsuchiya, a trip to the fashionable (ring the door bell for admittance) Anthony Reynolds Gallery (60 Great Marlborough Street W1, until 4 October) was one I could not refuse. Although making use of such diverse materials as metal, wire, wax, resin, fabric, plastic, there was no clay in sight. One piece, North West Passage, suggests a wealth of associations – direction, chill, sea, transit, change, endurance, labour, discovery – though the sculpture, illustrated, has an intriguing anthropomorphic quality, which I enjoyed. Standing in the centre of the downstairs gallery, it also recalls a slightly dishevelled ship of state, but one with which I could identify. The artist does confess to responding to ‘a material through its very nature and the “mindset” I perceive embedded within it’. She goes on to say that she uses ‘the texture of thought as a primary material, trying to use “thinking” as a kind of “clay”.’ I enjoyed the show, but did wonder if at some point Nobuko Tsuchiya would be drawn to discover the subtleties of clay and thinking and material could be united. Why don’t ceramists tax us with such thoughts?
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
London Life
With such an intriguing title as Thinking is Clay, which features the work of Nobuko Tsuchiya, a trip to the fashionable (ring the door bell for admittance) Anthony Reynolds Gallery (60 Great Marlborough Street W1, until 4 October) was one I could not refuse. Although making use of such diverse materials as metal, wire, wax, resin, fabric, plastic, there was no clay in sight. One piece, North West Passage, suggests a wealth of associations – direction, chill, sea, transit, change, endurance, labour, discovery – though the sculpture, illustrated, has an intriguing anthropomorphic quality, which I enjoyed. Standing in the centre of the downstairs gallery, it also recalls a slightly dishevelled ship of state, but one with which I could identify. The artist does confess to responding to ‘a material through its very nature and the “mindset” I perceive embedded within it’. She goes on to say that she uses ‘the texture of thought as a primary material, trying to use “thinking” as a kind of “clay”.’ I enjoyed the show, but did wonder if at some point Nobuko Tsuchiya would be drawn to discover the subtleties of clay and thinking and material could be united. Why don’t ceramists tax us with such thoughts?
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Mr Cooper,
I read with interest in Ceramic Review that " Ceramic Review" was starting a blog. I myself have been bloging since February 2008, so was keen to see your new site.
In your opening post dated 3rd September, you welcomed our ideas and thoughts, so here we go my starter for 10.
I was struck by the fact that to date you have recieved only one comment. A blog by it's very nature should quickly find a band of followers who become eager to see the next instalment from the writer, and then, have a creative response to that post in such a way as they feel the need to respond with either, an agreement a disagreement or and usually the best response a view from a totally different perspective. This is what bloging is all about!
I have no doubt that this was your intention from the out set.
How ever, this has not been the case and I feel I must respond to get the ball of clay rolling.
I first stumbled upon a blog site when I entered a search in Google for Fremmington clay. In amongst the pages was a blog from Doug Fitch explaining that the clay pit had just closed. This led me to comment on Doug's blog and we have become friends since then. It's about finding people that are interested in the same things. The fact that the blog has recieved so few comments makes me think the posts have not sparked the interest of the potting world. To my mind the Ceramic Review blog should be one of the most visited and commented upon blogs in the pottery world, enabling potters to communicate their ideas and thoughts in a way that creates encouragement.
It's not about using big fancy words that turn many creative people off.
I had to look up "Anthropomorphic" in the Dictionary. I am aware that many people out there will not agree with me on this point, but if this comment sparks some further comments then I feel it will have done it's job.
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