an introduction to contemporary ceramic history
Like most of you, I am primarily a visual artist. I am not an Art Historian. I developed this class to satisfy what I feel is a deficiency in the course offerings of this and most other academic institutions. Ceramics is too often overlooked as an artform, as a tool for learning about history, or science and relegated to being a craft medium and viewed only through the decorative arts lens of art historians. I believe that the study of ceramic art history, in both contemporary and historical terms is deserving of it's own place in both the studies of art and history. The vibrant presence of clay in the world of contemporary art and the rich history of the medium and the record that has been left behind in clay is a window through which to view the history of mankind. Much of what we know about our historyparticularly our early history, was learned through the information that was left behind on shards and on the surfaces of ceramic objects. Clay continues to tell the stories of our lives in ways no other medium can to this day. I believe that it is a critical area of study and should be an essential part of any well rounded education. In this class, we will look at numerous periods of time and modes of thinking through the lens of clay. Each week I will provide a general overview of the main themes of the artists and art movements that we will cover in the hope that it will be a point of departure for more in-depth research that you might conduct as students. The subjects that we will cover are indeed the focus of many dissertations and though I wish I possessed a great depth of knowledge of each subject, my own research has been primarily directed toward that of a visual studio artist and so what I hope to communicate through this class is a survey of the major themes of the art movements, periods, styles and artists associated with clay since 1900.
I think of my role in this class as a curator of information. With the access to media of all types so readily available - i intend to allow experts in the field speak directly to you through video and other media and will organize class lectures with the intent of providing as much first person commentary, expert opinion and visual stimulation as possible. I select the information and put it into a format that I hope makes it accessible, useful, interesting and visually stimulating. I aim to inform your knowledge of the amazing history of ceramics and inspire further research both of the studio and academic varieties. You will have the opportunity for you do and present an in-depth research project on a subject of your choice.
an introduction to contemporary ceramic history
I make my notes visible as a framework in my presentations as a reference for your research and as a study guide for the exams which are a necessary measure of your comprehension of the material. I also believe that students are better able to engage intellectually with course material if the focus is on thinking about the material and not on transcribing notes so I invite you to engage in the material. So relax, ask questions during lectures or express your thoughts and observations freely as we think and discuss the times, the attitudes, the reasons, the reactions and the people who make ceramics such an enduring and engaging area of study. I will post all presentations after each class here for your reference at www. issuu.com/markburleson
Professor Mark Burleson