Recurring themes of Art 10 1) Exploration of ceramic technology aka clay origins and process. 2) Creation of form and surface. 3) Development of a personal aesthetic and self-expression. 4) Study the influence of clay on culture and culture on clay technology.

1) Exploration of clay origins and process. Studio experiences will include: 1) Study of clay origins: What is clay? Where does it come from? 2) Types of clay: earthenware (terracotta), stoneware, porcelain 3) Stages of clay: – Green: wet-slip,moist, leather hard, bone dry – Fired: bisqued (  04), glaze fired (  08-04, 6, 10) 4) Forming techniques: – Pinching – symmetrical vs freeform (organic), burnishing – Coil – revealing pattern vs smooth – Slab – soft vs hard, drape (slump) mold – Wheel Throwing – symmetry – Press mold vs Slip Casting (not at Gavilan) – Extrude 5)Surface Decor : Texture, stamping, carving, wax resist, glaze, slip… 6) Various firing techniques: pit, low fire, raku, medium fire, high fire 7) Health & Safety Issues

2) Creating Form and Surface Form is the shape of an object, including its internal space, surrounding space and negative space. Negative space is the space between solid shapes. The subject of the form may be abstract, realistic, functional/utilitarian, non-functional, vessel or sculpture. Surface treatments include texture, oxide, slip designs, and glaze/no glaze.

Pinch & Coil

Slab (soft & hard) ORGANIC FORM

DRAPE/SLUMP MOLD

WHEEL THROWN

4) Study the influence of clay on culture and culture on clay technology. Clay has played a significant role in the history of man. From a very early time, at least 27,000 years ago and possibly longer, man has understood clay is unique and has had a role in his life both as a material for self-expression and as an invaluable utilitarian material. The stuff civilization is made from, literally.

27000 year old fingerprint

14000 years old

At times, man has used clay for ritual purpose, and at other times for ordinary, daily living. The technology of clay has developed as man has settled and spread from mountain caves across the world via the Silk Road and across oceans.

Our class will be studying the history of ceramics in four sections: 1)Ancient Mediterranean 2)Pre-Columbian Americas and Africa. 3)Asia and Western Asia 4)Europe and Modern America

We will be observing how clay ideas develop and pass from one culture to the next. Main ideas that we will be watching for are: 1) The discovery of clay and glaze materials led to different processes. 2) The development of firing techniques influenced the spread of pottery. 3) Certain design motifs have spread from one culture to another.

Raku