I love how each chapter begins with a historical outline to help us understand the world slightly better and maybe not judge so quickly. As you read each chapter take time to try and really study the work created...image how the material feels. Image how the piece was created...how long would it have taken. How would you have reacted to the work if you had been alive then. Mainly just enjoy.
In the last reading I asked you about studio craft and architecture because I believe that in many ways architecture is the biggest supporter of studio craft. They design around and purchase studio craft items for their buildings. Some, not all, 1% for the art commission are studio crafts based. Wall tiles, glass and/or clay installations are examples.
As you answer the three main questions: What impressed you? 2. What surprised you? and 3. What are you caring away with you? continue to question your relationship to studio crafts. For question #4
I am asking you to describe your ideal of a crafts community. Dream.
PS. Mr. William, this chapter is for YOU.
1.What impressed you?
ReplyDeleteI didn’t know that Wright made furniture. I was interested in his Dining room of Frederick at Robbie's House. I was impressed with Frank Lloyd Wright concept on how the architecture should “reflect its time and place.” The natural beauty of the quite flatlands of America Midwest inspired FLW. Prairie style reflects in this dining table and chairs by the gently sloping roofs, low proportions, quiet sky lines, suppressed heavy-set chimneys and sheltering overhangs, small terraces and out-reaching walls sequestering private gardens.
2. What surprised you?
I was surprised to read about the reform movements, and how education was affected during this time. The manual labor movement was meant for secondary and higher school movement at the time. Fast-forward to today. This type of education would be very similar to tech school. Rather than receiving a generalized education, students can have the option to study at a technical college take particular classes that prepare them for a specific craft.
3. What are you caring away with you?
What I'm taking away from this chapter is how art and crafts made the connection with “Body and Mind.” Chapter 2 states, ” The movement was dedicated to ideals: to beautifying the home, to encouraging people to make their art, to educating children in ways that engaged both body and mind.” Although the notion of craft has changed its meaning over time, there are still organisms that emphasize its noble role in today’s culture and society. I found a link on how Crafting can be compared to meditating and a natural anti-depressant because you are relaxed and doing something you enjoy!
https://www.cnn.com/2014/03/25/health/brain-crafting-benefits/index.html
4. I am asking you to describe your idea of a crafts community. Dream.
My ideal of a craft community is to have public interactive art installations. I am from Dallas tx, and Dallas is crawling with all sorts of people. Just like any big city, it ranges from age, race, and different backgrounds. A simple example of this installation would be to have a giant white canvas and have the community paint what Dallas means to them whether it be words or pictures. There is an artist that I follow name Dallas Clayton. He writes books, tours the world, paints on buildings, or and try to find happiness and share it with others. He would lay out the design of his next mural and have the community paint it for him. You are building a sense of community and having people get involved creatively.
https://www.dallasclayton.com
Installations are so fun! Have you heard of meow wolf? I haven't gone, but would love to with my students!
DeleteOne of the issues with Wright was his furniture. Think about it for a minute...how would you like to never be able to move your furniture around? I agree, one of the understated aspect of art making is how it can calm us and /or stimulate our minds. When schools cut art classes they are cutting one of the few areas that allow for freedom of ideas and time to simply dream.
DeleteCandie, you have a great point. I too have not been to Meow Wolf but it is on my list for this year!
I honselty didn't like the style of it either, but it seem to work well with the room. I will have to check that art out!
DeleteChapter 1
ReplyDelete1. Something thay impressed me was the fact that McLaughlin was the first American woman to use porcelain and was one of the first studio potter's in America. This was extremely surprising because I assumed that pottery was bigger during the late 1800s (pg 29). I enjoyed reading about her independence in the art world and how brave and confident she was to start working with new things.
2. I was impressed by the fact that the movement of arts and crafts was started and inspired by 3 Victorians. They all three wrote papers on art and were very good at decor. This was impressive that such a small amount of people were able to start a world of imaginative thinking.
3. The take home was that art was inspired by people who wanted a change in their overall environment. This is very interesting because this was the beginning of decor design and beauty aspects in the craft of furniture in dwellings
4. The relationship between studio crafts and architecture is the fact that both designs should line up theme-wise. Studio crafts are what makes the architectural aspects stand out.
Chapter 2
1. I was surprised at how every single era America went through always inspired new ideas and new forms of design and crafts. This is amazing because I never really realized or paid attention to how well design incorporates with time and events that goes on even today as we speak. If anything time should be the biggest factor in the changes or transition of different ideas.
2. I was impressed at how Americans were able to incorporate other nations' cultures and quickly turned into an industry. I was also impressed at how the Marblehead technique was founded. It was created as a soothing technique for Dr. Herbert Hall's neurasthenia patients. This is so interesting that an entire technique was used medically (pg54).
3. The thing I'm carrying away is the fact that these people in the late 1800s and early 1900 were the most creative people America has seen. They have set the basis amd foundation of most of our arts and crafts of present day. These people even now continue to inspire so many people. These artists also was able to create art from everyday objects, adding their special touch to them to make them unique from the rest.
4. A crafts community is one that consists of many people who have a unified goal of creating art as a unit. This would have to be something in the community that welcomes everyone to be a part. They can all have different art forms and can collectively make one big piece of artwork by everyone just adding their touches. To keep it from getting too crazy I believe an over all theme should be implemented. This will keep everyone on track and bring all of the pieces together in a sort of unified way. My idea of a crafts community is pretty much organized chaos! To me spontaneous art is the best.
Good insights. As we continue with the writings I think you will see how studio crafts became the foundation for art schools and then how it was separated from schools once again.
DeleteMost art communities have a theme of building. They share ideas, talents and sometimes tools.
I am so sorry, the flu hit me hard. I will do my make-up posts by tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest.
ReplyDeleteFeel better, girl! I got it, too. I haven't had a fever in ages. Blah!
DeleteWhat impressed me from this chapter was the craftsmanship and skill in all of these works. I couldn't stop going back to the picture of the Charles Rohlfs desk on page 47. I am drawn to the detail and the colors/stains. What a beautiful design. I also LOVE the quote on page 41 that talks about works having value beyond utility. That is so beautiful to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat surprised me, even though we have discussed it briefly last week, is that men were primarily the ones that did the throwing on the wheel and the women did the pottery decorations. It was such that women weren't capable or allowed to do a "man's job". That irks me, especially since I am focusing so much on ceramics these days. To assume a women couldn't it successfully is so dumb. I guess that's why I perked up even more while reading about Robineau- you go girl!
What I'm carrying with me from this chapter is that despite there being an increasing amount of industrialization and mixed influences/art styles, there were also people at the forefront of this period pushing to keep arts and crafts alive. I also felt very in touch with the statement on page 39- "The response to this new world that T. J. Jackson calls "overcivilized" involved a neurotic helplessness then called neurasthenia. The new idea of being "on time", the speed of transportation, and the multiplication of published information increased stress." I feel like with television, social media, and information/misinformation being at our fingertips all the time, it can become overwhelming and cause depression. This disconnect from nature and being ok with meditation, the process of art making, and silence is lost. It is interesting to see that it was noticed this far back.
My ideal of a crafts community would be where people can live and learn together. Where those that are strong in one area, can teach the rest. There is no bias or judgement, but learning and production happening all the time. I LOVED how Hubbard & the Roycrofters arts and crafts community sounded. Though he paid them less, their quality of life seemed better. They would have picnics, sporting teams, occasional gifts from Hubbard, employees could venture to other shops or trades if they were interested in a different area- how cool! It sounds like a hippie commune! Have any of you ever heard of a place in Texas called Eye of the Dog? I've taken some classes there called big clay. This reminds me of them. They play music, work all night long, have home cooked, healthy meals, dogs running around everywhere, and artist workshops all the time. Check it out, if you haven't already.
I will look up Eye of the Dog...never heard of it before. I love the idea of healthy meals, music and dogs. What fun.
DeleteAnd yes were and are still kept outside of the main street of art making.