Unit 2: Clay

Rules in the Clay Studio

1. Clay and glazes contain silica, which is not good for you. Work carefully to avoid disturbing dust.

2. Clay must be kept moist while you are working on a project. You are solely responsible for keeping your clay projects covered with plastic.

3. Clay clogs the drain! When you are done working for the day, you must clean your tools and your hands in rinse buckets.

4. You must also wipe your tables with a damp rag. This minimizes dust, and leaves the studio clean for other artists.

The Tools

1) Clay basically dirt & water

2) Kiln a device used to cook all moisture out of clay; there are many types, but we will use an electric kiln. Clay must be fired (heated in a kiln) in order to become permanently formed.

3) Modelling tool anything that helps to shape clay (a spoon, a smooth stone); we have specially designed wood modelling tools.

4) Ribs metal or wood; can be smooth or serrated (toothed); serrated ribs are good for scoring.

The Tools

5) Ribbons metal loops that function as carving tools; come in various shapes & sizes.

6) Pin tool a metal pin or a toothpick; useful for putting ventilation holes in a piece

7) Glaze silica-based colourant; glazes must also be fired in a kiln to become permanent; makes pottery food safe.

Clay Stages

1) Greenware clay that has not been fired

2) Slip watery clay (like milk); used as glue when joining piece of clay.

3) Leather-hard clay that has partially dried; it holds up its own form, but can still be manipulated.

4) Bone dry clay that cannot lose anymore moisture without being fired; it looks off-white. Clay must always be bone dry before firing, or it will explode!

5) Bisque ware clay that has been fired but not glazed; it is white. 6) Glaze ware clay that has been glazed

Important Processes

1) Wedging also called kneading; pushing & pulling the clay to get it to a homogenous state (even moisture, no air bubbles).

2) Scoring creating rough texture where two pieces of clay will be joined; slip must be applied to the scored area before welding the clay.

3) Welding blending two pieces of clay together, after scoring & slipping.

Crucial Things to Remember!

Maintain even thickness (0.5 in / 1cm) to avoid cracks

Dry evenly (cover work in plastic)

Eliminate air bubbles and contained air (or your piece will explode in the kiln).

Pinch Pot Project

You will make a pinch pot.

Your vessel must be at least 3 inches in one dimension.

Once you have shaped your vessels, you will decorate their surfaces using a motif.

A motif is a design that is repeated in an artwork.

Examples spots, stripes, various shapes...

You will glaze your pinch pot after it is bisque fired.

Marked out of 12 points:Form - 4 points, Motif 4 points, Glaze 4 points

Grotesque Art

What does grotesque mean?

What are some examples of grotesque images?

Examples of Grotesque Art

Medieval gargoyles

Grotesque Art

Medieval Gargoyles

Were spouts carved in the shape of a human, animal, or demon

Were connected to a gutter for throwing rain water from the roof of a building

although later examples - particularly in the 19th century- served as merely decoration.

Served as protectors. It is a common belief, through many cultures, that in order to keep away evil spirits one must use something frightening.

Examples of Grotesque Art

Totem poles

Examples of Grotesque Art

Totem poles:

are as varied as the numerous tribes which produce them.

may recount familiar legends, clan lineages, or notable events.

celebrate cultural beliefs

some are intended as purely artistic presentations.

Certain types are part of mortuary structures incorporating grave boxes

are also carved to illustrate stories, to commemorate historic people, & to represent shamanic powers

H. Boschs Hell from The Garden of Earthly Delights

Examples of Grotesque Art

Hieronymus Bosch was a prolific Dutch painter of the 15th and 16th centuries.

Many of his works depict sin and human moral failings.

Bosch used images of demons, half-human animals and machines to evoke fear and confusion to portray the evil of humans.

M. Beckmanns Departure

Examples of Grotesque Art

Max Beckmann (February 12, 1884 December 28, 1950) was a German artist who lived through both World Wars.

From the 30s on, his works often contain symbolic references to the brutal actions of the Nazis.

His subjects and symbols also assume a larger meaning, addressing universal themes of terror, redemption, and the mysteries of eternity and fate.

Grotesque Project

Using clay, you will create a grotesque goblet or a grotesque sculpture.

You will use reductive building (build solid and carve out later).

Otto Dix

Otto Dix

Matt Barney

Tom Bartel

Glazing

Glaze is a clay-based colourant.

Glazes must be fired in a kiln to become permanent.

Glazing

Important things to remember:

1. Glaze makes clay food safe.2. Glazes change their appearance after being fired. 3. Glaze fuses to anything it touches in the kiln. Keep the bottom of your work clean up to 0.5 inch/ 1cm from the

bottom.4. Mix the glaze before applying it. Apply 3 even coats of glaze.

Examples of Good Glaze

Glazing Techniques

1) Dipping immersing the entire clay piece into glaze; after dipping you MUST remove all glaze from the bottom with a wet rag.

2) Pouring pouring glaze onto your clay piece; again you MUST remove all glaze from the bottom with a wet rag.

3) Brushing painting the glaze onto the clay piece using paint brushes; since glaze is a thick, sandy material, it is crucial that you clean your brushes with soap so that no glaze is left in the bristles.

4) Overlapping mixing glazes in a separate container or on the clay piece can provide very interesting results.

Glazing Techniques

5) Masking glaze will not stick to areas of the clay that have been covered with masking tape; you can use tape to create patterns on your work and then remove the tape before firing.

6) Sgraffito scratching through a layer of glaze to create patterns of unglazed clay

7) Mishima putting glaze in carved designs, and wiping away the excess. The glaze only stays in the carved areas.

Artist's Statement: Grotesque Project

How did you come up with your idea?

Do you think you were successful in making a grotesque object? Explain.

How successful were you in controlling the clay? Were you able to smooth out unwanted bumps and cracks? Were you able to create the form you wanted?

What did you like or dislike about this project?