March 5th, Chapter 3

If you love ceramics I think you will really enjoy this chapter. There is lots of information that is not usually given in contemporary clay classes which tend to begin in the 1950's/1960s.  Pay attention to the timeline at the beginning of the chapter. You have the Armory Show juxtaposed with Norman Rockwell, and WWI has an unexpected impact on crafts.

Answer the three usual questions but I have a forth question for you to consider. Look at education and/or how we learn, where we learn. Who is allowed to learn and more importantly who is allowed into the history books.  Really consider these issues. Allow yourself to recall anytime you found yourself at a crossroads, either as a student or a teacher. How would you create your learning environment if you could set aside all the current requirements. Try to transport yourself back to this time when in many ways everyone was making it up as they went along.

A reminder, if you are late with your post or want to post more do it on this post.

Beginner Knitt

So Future mentioned documenting my process: I started knitting on 2017.02.18 that afternoon. After hours of practicing I was able to complete a few rows and then I was going at a good a pace and messed up. The pictures and video are after I restarted.

Me explaining to my friend Mike how to position the yarn when transferring the cast ons and doing the first knit stitch. 

This was on 2017.02.18 later that night around 1 am.

2017.02.198 explaining to Mike about making sure to not go in between the cast ons and making sure you take the needle to the next cast on stitch.

These last two are of the process I've made so far. I haven't done much more as I was packing for my move to Korea on 2017.02.22. I'm currently working on controlling my speed and the tension and also how to properly hold the needles. Next I will tackle different knitting patterns after I get better. This is the basic garter pattern and i want to work on the purl stitch next. I plan to make cashmere scarves as gifts for Christmas for friends and family once I get better.

2017.02.19

2017.02.21

February 26th Chapter 2

What a great class. I am so impressed with the various ways you have of looking at the material we read and the individual knowledge you share. Thank you.

The division between art and craft or function and non function is an on going aspect of art education. I was lucky enough to have an outstanding high school art teacher who taught us to make things, make them well while encouraging us to explore what we wanted to say/express. He knew the argument between art and craft was not going to be settled any time soon so we just played with material. He would challenge us to push ourselves towards our goals. And to allow ourselves to change our minds.

If you like arguments,  there is a book that presents many of today's leading debates, "Nation Building:Craft and Contemporary American Culture", edited by Nicholas R Bell, 2015.

By now you should have some idea of what you want to work on for your final. This is not a studio class and there will not be critique, this is a seminar and I am interested in your motivation, your process/progress, and how it is was influenced or informed by our readings.

February 19th Makers, preface and Chapter One

Welcome to one of my favorite books. We will take a chapter a week. Each chapter is divided into Clay/Wood/Textiles/ Glass/Metals divided by centuries. There is a brief overview of  history, both across the nation and within art history at the beginning of each chapter. Love this part because it helps be appreciate what each artist was facing during their lives. There are not enough images.,  but if the book added all the images I think they need the book would be 10 times the size!

As you read, enjoy t his rich history and explore avenues you may not have ventured down before. Or you maybe returning to a path you long ago left behind. For each chapter I ask you to answer three questions 1. What surprised you?2. What impressed you? and 3. What are you taking away with you? Cite page you are referring to...you do not need to rewrite the passage. If you do your own research on a certain artist or movement share the information, but as I have stated before do not send us to a web site...share the address but tell us why you like this site.

Enjoy

Februray 12th, Craft in America

For this week I am asking you to review one session of Craft in America Series..pick a topic you are interested in or one you may never have thought of. Feel free to review more than one. When you post tell us the title of your session, what you thought about it...your favorite part or your not so favorite part, and would you share with your friends or family or students.

For those of you who are on campus I have copies of all the sessions and I will put them on my self in B12....watch at school or take home but please return when you are finished.

A warning...you will want to watch more than one.