‘Historical Object’.                           Yr 2 - Semester 4

8 Weeek Brief.    January 9^th – March 5^th 2012.

You must ensure that you cover and clearly evidence the following 4 stages over the 8 weeks and reach a conclusion by the end of the 8 weeks to satisfy the Aims and Outcomes.

·         Research

·         Development

·         Materials & Processes

·         Resolution/Declaration.

You will be given a link to 2 Historical objects – after a quick analysis you must choose one to work from (forget the other).

Be objective in your research and analysis.

Research and analyse your object. How does it inform you?

·         What is it?

·         Does it have a function or functions?    In its own time?     Now?

·         Can you find out anything about the Materials and Processes?

·         What period is it from?

·         Social History…who would have owned it? What status would the object have had? What did it say about the owners?

·         Does it carry a message?

·         Is there a narrative?

·         Other?

Each point should be responded to in a considered way. You should be forming opinions, and from this process begin to develop a sense of which aspects you find particularly interesting and would like to put a particular focus on. Remember you are working in a visual field – respond to the above questions in visual form (2D Drawing/Sketchbook).

Having done this part of the research you are required to explore your object in 3D,  Work in paper, wire, with photocopies, take photographs, illustrate, build, manipulate, work in Photoshop, print, draw, explore the graphics – drawing particular attention to selected aspects of personal interest from your analysis. You are drawing form a source object that informs us from the past, responding to it as a contemporary maker. Your position is not to replicate, but to extract information that is of interest to you.  Apply the creative process to generate an object that is your response to the above

research and analysis with sensitivity to the materials and processes you choose. Apply the original list of questions to your new object, defining what it is, its function, its context.

With this information/3D Source you must now develop your object in clay applying the same consideration for sensitivity to Materials and Processes. Remember the Workshop processes and the stages at which they are applied and the possibilities offered by accumulative processes.

General Aims - Year 2 Semester 4

·         To develop appropriate standards in the design and production of ceramics for this stage of the Course.

·         To develop problem solving abilities through research and analysis.

·         To identify personal ceramic practice within a broader historical and contemporary context.

·         To increasingly develop a maturity, self-confidence and critical judgment in relation to their work.

·         To develop self-reliance and commitment through establishing professional work practices within the course.

General Learning Outcomes

With the realization of the above aims, learners should be able to:-

·         Produce ceramic work using materials and processes appropriate to the realisation of creative solutions, and demonstrating skill levels appropriate for this stage of the Course.

·         Exhibit increasing understanding of the methodologies and strategies required for the development of problem solving skills through research analysis, critical thinking and the effective communication of ideas.

·         To understand personal Ceramic practice within a broader historical and contemporary context.

·         Exhibit increasing critical judgment in relation to their own work and demonstrate a developing creative personality through the medium of ceramics.

·         Understand and apply professional standards in production processes and workshop practices.

Stemcup with sea creatures

From Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, southern China
Ming dynasty, Xuande period (AD 1426-35)

Dragons and other creatures frolicking in the waves

The short reign of Emperor Xuande (1426-35) was very significant for Chinese ceramics: copper red wares reached heights which have never been surpassed, whileunderglaze blue decoration combined careful composition and brilliant colour.
Stem cups like this were used in Buddhist ceremonies and as wine bowls. This example shows dragons and other sea creatures playing among the waves. The sea creatures were reserved, that is, the background was painted with blue, and the area with the creatures was left white. The piece was then glazed and fired in the usual way. This is a relatively simple but very effective technique.
The regular use of the emperor's reign mark denoted a new status for ceramics. This first appeared, though rarely, under the Yongle emperor (reigned 1403-24). The mark on this cup is centred on the inside of the bowl.

wanted to make a mold first throew the negative aof the bowl.