"There is a symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folding bud ready for the spring. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains from nature - the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter."
-Rachel Carson, from The Sense of Wonder
Here in Nebraska and much of the area, Snowy Owls are wandering south from the arctic in search of food. They are arriving emaciated as there is an imbalance in the predator to prey ratio up north. Perhaps there are too many Owls this year and not enough Lemmings, or the Lemmings themselves are in crisis, forcing juvenile owls south in search of food. Whatever is happening in their normal feeding grounds is out of balance.
This was the first week officially back in school and it got off to a raging start. As you can see, I am starting to find my way around a Nikon, and eventually will be sending these images through photoshop for some trimming and adjusting. Learning these new tools will require adaptation, but certainly less than a juvenile Snowy Owl is requiring this time of year.
These rudimentary photos are indicative of the psychic and formal split that is happening in the studio right now. I am making low-fire wall pieces that are narrative and personal, and also good old fashioned salt-fired pottery. Do I want to make art in the realm of ideas, or follow my gut, and throw functional forms? I don't have that answer at the moment. Will there be a marriage between the two? Again, no answers. 
The air here in Lincoln is dry, and grass has trouble growing properly. Fall was indecisive and it is unclear when, and if, the trees will fully lose their leaves. Week 21 went by quickly, as they all have. A little factual information about the second semester of graduate school: I am taking three credits of Greek Sculpture, three credits in a Colloquium focusing on criticism, and five credits in the studio, creating questions that are hard to answer. Ever wonder what graduate school is like? I did for years before coming here. So there is at least one question I have an answer for.
Next week I promise some photos from the studio of pots in process, and other announcements. Until then, I will be silently praying for a Packers/Patriots Super Bowl while on the exterior, I will be working at this second semester in Lincoln. Thanks for reading and have a good week.
5 comments:
Hang in there Aaron! I'm fighting the make "functional ware or not" fight too. It's almost easy to cast function aside in favor of an easier, or perhaps more direct, way to portray your concepts. I feel like I'm clinging to function like a security blanket, yet it may just be a more difficult path. In the end, stick to what you feel makes the most sense for you.
Good luck!
Since you are able to do functional as well as conceptual work well, I would not fight your talent, but rather use them both to the fullest extent.
If I had your level of talent, I would just be joyful all of the time for the ability to do both!
Thanks Joe.
That was a real nice thing to say.
Aaron
I'm wondering why there is a division made here between gut/functional work and non functional conceptual work? The whole point (to me at least) is to create a harmony between the two? Right? Ok, back to work for me.
Hi Sean,
I don't know. You can create a harmony if you want to make functional work with a conceptual edge or purpose. I don't think that is the only answer, though. Not everything has to have a big idea behind it. Functional pottery may not be the best vehicle for some ideas. Not everything has to speak to the intellect.
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