AN INTRODUCTION TO POTTERY IN SOCIETY. CERAMICS 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO POTTERY IN SOCIETY.

A BRIEF LOOK AT THE ORGINS OF POTTERY Pottery can be traced back as far as the 7th Century BC. Potters were the first of all craftsman.

A BRIEF LOOK AT THE ORGINS OF POTTERY 14000 BC-- Fertility Figurines were made of clay; both fired and unfired. They were later found in ALL NEOLITHIC CULTURES. Baskets lined with clay were made and placed in hot pits. **Corded texture on the outside of these pots. In 3600 BC the first potter’s wheel were used in Mesopotamia. They were crude hand wheels used to make symmetrical beakers and dishes.

A BRIEF LOOK AT THE ORGINS OF POTTERY GLAZE- 1st used by the Egyptians about 2700 BC on beads and decorative tiles. Ancient Cultures valued artifacts made of fired clay. ** Wood, leather, and fabrics do not last. **Iron and bronze disintegrate. **Stone Images when exposed to weather dissolve. The indestructible nature of fired clay has allowed us to surmise the existence of cultures that otherwise would be completely unknown. The best preserved ceramics are burial objects found in graves. They provide us with an accurate picture of society through the ages.

EARLY EGYPTIAN POTTERY Egyptians made pottery before the building of the Pyramids. This is evident from the presence in older hieroglyphic writing of characters which are pictures of ceramic vessels. Pictures of pottery vessels and small pieces of pottery have been found in tombs of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Dynasties, coinciding with and after the building of the Great Pyramid (about 2350 B.C.).

ANCIENT CELEBRATIONS BIRTH PUBERTY DEATH All of these celebrated with elaborate rituals.

SOCIETY The development of ancient cultures and customs have been preserved in traditional decorations. The craft of ceramics has changed slowly, even though technology has improved.

TRADE & LOCAL CUSTOMS With the development along the “Silk Road” from the Far East to China, trade increased. As a result, the local potters adapted their techniques and patterns to meet the demands of the public. This moment helped to define a time line in which cultures started to merge. Local customs and traditions were no longer the main focus of potters. SLOWLY, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS HAVE HAD A CONTROLLING INFLUENCE ON THE POTTER’S WORK!!

A furnace used for firing clay products; electric, gas and wood-fired. K I L N S A furnace used for firing clay products; electric, gas and wood-fired.

PIT FIRING Pit dug and lined with twigs and grass. Sun dried pots were placed and covered with more twigs, etc. Wood was added until the ware was covered with red hot coals. After several hours the pit was covered with ash, broken pottery and earth to contain the heat. Ware was allowed to cool slowly.

BANK KILNS Dug in the side of a bank or hill. It consisted of a heat source, a heat chamber and a chimney opening farther up the hill. A draft through the kiln allowed objects to be fired at higher temperatures.

FREE-STANDING KILNS Kilns were made of clay brick with a fire box on the bottom separated by a slotted floor from a kiln chamber above.

BANK-CLIMBING KILNS 1000 BC IN SOUTHERN CHINA, KOREA AND JAPAN. Glazed objects were placed in SAGGERS to prevent fumes and ash from settling on firing pieces. Heat would pass into the next higher chamber. The design permitted an efficient use of fuel to achieve high temperatures. The design allowed for more pieces to be fired without the loss of heat through a vent.

CERAMICS 1 K I L N G O D / D E I T I E S The making of the "kiln god," a small, person-like figure who, it is hoped in superstition, will bring fortunate firing results. In religious beliefs, a deity is a supernatural being, and who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred.

THE PURPOSE OF MAKING A KILN GOD According to ancient ritual, the firing of the kiln was a spiritual event. If evil forces were present, items would be destroyed in the firing process. To avoid this, a “kiln god deity” was placed in the kiln for firing. Usually a small figure or animal made by the potter was placed on top as a spiritual offering.

Native American Pottery “Of all Mother Earth's many gifts, few are more wondrous than clay. Properly cleaned, refined, tempered, cured and fired, clay can be shaped into containers for carrying water, for storing and cooking food, for religious as well as decorative objects. Not only is pottery one of humanity's oldest crafts, but it is also one of our oldest art forms.”

PLANNING PROCESS What types of images come to mind when you think of a kiln god?

ELEMENTS OF ART How can you use the ELEMENTS of ART to enhance the visual impact of your kiln god?

THE ELEMENTS OF ART LINE SHAPE COLOR FORM TEXTURE VALUE SPACE

ANY IDEAS??

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? YOUR ASSIGNMENT… DESIGN and CREATE a KILN GOD/GODESS. Please incorporate as many elements of art and symbolism as possible. PLAN, PLAN, then create with Success!

Suggestions: Dragons? Greek Mythology? Abstract Geometric Designs? Incorporate the concepts of “Earth, Water, Fire and Air.”

Keep in mind: Symbolism Form What 3 dimensional shape will it be? Will it be a “box” with detailed images on the sides or a sculpted form? Stability of form Wider base to support weight If standing, make sure it doesn’t fall over Details Details will become very important as you progress with this assignment! Scale Construction Pinch Coil Slab

Assignment: Kiln God Criteria 1– planning sketches and plan for construction. Criteria 2 –  Design and construction of kiln god. Criteria 3 – Glazing/Painting – aesthetics. Criteria 4 – Effort: took time to develop idea & complete project? (Didn’t rush.) Good use of class time? Criteria 5 – Craftsmanship – Neat, clean & complete? Skillful use of the art tools & media?

Polynesian – Tiki faces.

Polynesian – Tiki faces.

Polynesian – Tiki faces.