1. Craft Media: Flirting With Function
Chapter 13
Craft Media: Flirting With Function

2. Clay
Ceramics: the art and science of making objects from clay.
Has been an important art material since humans have been forming civilization.
Ceramist: Any person who works with clay.
Potter: ceramist who specializes in making dishes.

3. Clay
Most ceramics techniques have been around for centuries.
Clays flexible until baked in a dedicated oven called a kiln in a process called firing.
Permanently changes the composition of the clay.

4. Clays
Categorized in three basic categories determined by firing temperatures.
Earthenware: 1470° – 2000°+: most common, porous when fired
Stoneware: 2200°-2400°: heavier, not porous when fired
Porcelain: 2400°-2550°: rarest, most expensive, not porous. Perfected in China, so today porcelain dishes called “china” no matter where made.

5. Clay
Create objects by hand throwing or shaping on a quickly revolving wheel in a technique called throwing.
Decorated with slip (colored watered down clay) or glaze (silica based liquid paint made specifically for clay.)
When glaze is fired it vitrifies, (turns glasslike) and makes the clay body waterproof.

6. Who is largely responsible for the acceptance of clay as an art form?
Californian sculptor Peter Voulkos

7. Glass
Has been used for more than 4000 years as material for containers, windows and jewelry.
Chemically closely related to glaze.
Hot glass can be shaped by blowing, casting or pressing into molds.
After cooled becomes semi-permanent and may be cut, etched, fused, laminated, layered, painted, polished, sandblasted or slumped.

9. Metal
Primary characteristics: Strength and formability.
Can be hammered, cut, drawn out, welded, joined with rivets or cast.
Early metalsmiths made tools, vessels, armor and weapons.

10. The d’Arenberg Basin, Syria; 1247-49

11. Wood
The living spirit of wood is given a second life in handmade objects.
Abundance, versatility and warm tactile qualities have made it a favorite materials for human artists.
One positive: is sustainable.

12. Liv Blavarp

13. Fiber
Weaving, stitching, basketmaking, surface design (dyed and printed textiles) wearable art and papermaking by hand.
Two general categories: on loom (made on a loom) and off loom (made without a loom.)
Weaving based on interlacing fibers.
Start with long fibers on a loom (device used for weaving) called warp fibers. Created by crossing the warp fibers with fibers at right angles called weft fibers.

14. Fiber
Tapestries: traditional weaving technique used to create patterns or pictures.
Quilt Making: Putting together pieces of material to make a completed work.

15. Ardibil Carpet Tabriz; 1540