Craft In America and Final Projects

Between now May 14th you can turn in your review of one episode of Craft in America, your final project and the short essay over your final project...apox. 250-500 words. Share your experience using our three regular questions.

I have enjoyed getting to know each of through this class. Thank you for your time and for sharing your thoughts on the book. This is the last time this class will be offered.  I have been re-assigned out of Visual Studies (not sure yet if I will be in Foundations or Art Appreciation ) as such I will not be offering the seminar this summer on Threads of Compassion: Crafts and Community, nor will I be able to chair any MAE committees.  It has been my honor to work within this program.

April 22, Chapter 11

Well, we have come to the end of this amazing book. I hope you keep this a reference and as an inspiration for your own work. As I have said many times before, it is one of my all time favorite books.
For the extra question share what you would do with an NEA grant...they were for $10,000 and could be used for anything. One artist purchased a car to take his art work to shows. Others used the money for supplies. All you had to do at the end of the year was write a short essay on how you used the money and did it make a difference.
You can give your review of one episode of Craft in America at anytime. The same is true for your final project.

April 15th, Chapter 10

Although clay and glass are still strong, wood expands into an unique art form which in many ways represents the growing gap between function and material object. The techniques and craftsmanship of a piece is still valued but there is a shift away from simple function to almost function or maybe no function.  As you read think about this change in purpose. Think about how you view art and craft or the art of craft, and how these pieces/ the attitudes they represent influence your teaching.

For your extra question share your favorite style of furniture.

April 8th, Chapter 9

Once again clay rules. Any of you who have or will take a clay class at TTU look at these images...this is what you/your work will be judged against. These are the images your professors were taught to admire. For me it seems clay and the other mediums had gone from a slow slide to a fast train away from functionality. Yet they were  more committed to the technical information and experimentation based on techniques. In a way this focus on technique was an compliment to tradition. I especially love the concept of textiles and spirituality.

In the first part of this chapter the book series Foxfire is mentioned. If you have not heard of or read this books take time to look them up. They are wonderful stories of life in isolation.
Another book from this time is Flash Deign...a documentation of the recycled and embellished  clothing coming out of the hippie revolution. Both books, along with Objects USA, are incredible recordings of the time.

Pay attention to the short section on how teachers "made" stars by showing slides of only certain people to their students. How true that was and still is. It is hard to trust our own judgments so just continue to use what others have said is good. For your extra question 1. share a famous work of art you would never consider as art if you had not been told so many times it was great. 2. share one piece of art that you love but is not found in the art history books.

April 1st, Chapter 8

This chapter is the time period I most relate to/with because my teachers represented the philosophies and attitudes from this wildly changing time.  I still have a copy of " Objects USA" which was considered the art bible for 20 years.  It cataloged an amazing show that exposed the nation to new ways of looking at craftwork. Also, the entire "hippy" movement, which was part of the return to the earth movement ,paved the way for crafts to valued. Whole Earth Catalog and other printed matter shared incredible information on how to do almost anything by  yourself. In addition,  hand dyed /sewn/ embellished clothing was popular.  Alternative living styles championed hand made furniture and pottery. 

 In the art world textiles and glass come into their own, and metals and wood are not far behind. Clay never losses its hold on crafts but more importantly the other areas are catching up.  National organizations based on medium began as a way to protect and share histories. These groups are still active and alive today. As you read, think back on your teachers and see if you recall any thing similar or close to what is presented.

For your extra question I want you to look up one artist mentioned and share with the class something not found in the book. Also why did you pick that artist.

A reminder, along you are to review on episode of Craft in America.

March 25th, Chapter 7

If you like or are even a little interested in clay this is your chapter. Clay literally came into life during this intense period. Major shifts in production and philosophy allowed for creativity to soar. Although still a male dominated media there are women noted and discussed. All the other media seem to be pale during this decade...I am sure that is not totally true but it seems that way reading this chapter.

Again look at the time frame in the beginning. How many of these milestones still influence us ?

Based on last weeks readings concerning the introduction of crafts into schools read carefully the section on "Craft Embraces Academia". How do you feel about professors vs. professionals in art?
Where you taught that selling work was selling out? How do you price your work? Mainly consider what is the value of the art you make to the quality of your life.

March 18th, Chapter 6

You do not need to post on Chapter 6 till the 18th. I will give you your extra question later in the week. Enjoy the spring break. This is a good time to begin work on your final project.