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Forms in Flux
This collection of vessels, bowls, and figurines from all over the world are selected to represent classic forms and subjects for work in clay.
Consider using these forms as a starting place for change, transformation, intervention, and flux in creating new ceramic work.
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Press the space bar for the next slide.
Assignment:
Select work from this collection to use as inspiration for a conceptual work in ceramics.
Some ideas for next steps:
- Go from functional to dysfunctional
- Transmute the form into one that is asymmetrical or distorted
- Cover the form with a new surface design or texture that changes its character or hides its function
- Update the piece into a political, social, or kitsch version of itself
- Create a hybrid of two or more pieces that challenges the aesthetics of the original works.
Contemporary work in Clay
After students have completed the assignment, discuss how the same approaches are seen in the work of artists today. To view examples of pieces by contemporary artists who work in clay, view the Walker Art Center's exhibition, Dirt on Delight: Impulses that Form Clay that was on view July 11 - November 29, 2009.
Storage Jar
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.921875" id="zoomer_96766_38513iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/ef/b9/a3de13998e608ea5bf89f63218a3/140/120/96766.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Storage Jar, Artist Unknown (China)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Athenian Red-figure Volute Krater
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.733072916667" id="zoomer_70303_34080iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/24/81/d95250e33390b5a24c53016e481f/140/120/70303.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Athenian Red-figure Volute Krater, Attributed to the Methyse Painter" height_offset="0" /></div>
Red-figure Kylix
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:71.640625px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.95419847328" id="zoomer_103742_24907iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/9a/e8/354acfae33a48078905eaab27da1/140/120/103742.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Red-figure Kylix, the Villa Giulia Painter ; the Villa Giulia Painter" height_offset="0" /></div>
Covered Jar
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.98828125" id="zoomer_73410_42952iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/f9/12/a193df225ac3256efe7f37ac4776/140/120/73410.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Covered Jar, Artist Unknown (China)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Lidded Bowl on High Foot
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.7578125" id="zoomer_103076_13104iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/7b/90/90a95df4f3b0e04f1449db71ccbd/140/120/103076.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Lidded Bowl on High Foot, Artist Unknown (Korea)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Tomb Figurine of a Court Lady
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:89.140625px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.57055214724" id="zoomer_1581_61878iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/ba/37/41e6ee2237108e61003c2cd22cee/140/120/1581.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Tomb Figurine of a Court Lady, Artist Unknown (China)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Vessel
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.748697916667" id="zoomer_112240_11989iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/17/23/ea95db2d20df72857f0c5c171202/140/120/112240.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Vessel, Artist Unknown (Guanecaste)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Ewer
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.705729166667" id="zoomer_105106_30442iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/40/b9/b105bd0bf3a42bc569e6bdb6075c/140/120/105106.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Ewer, Artist Unknown (China)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Vase
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.682291666667" id="zoomer_70792_3106iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/49/d9/67f95f4e23d81bcff562f2ecf5e1/140/120/70792.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Vase, Derby Porcelain Factory ; Derby Porcelain Factory" height_offset="0" /></div>
Teapot
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:85.99609375px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.6279809221" id="zoomer_93814_29750iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/96/a9/f8b96034b5aaab20f17705d43fa3/140/120/93814.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Teapot, Marguerite Wildenhain ; Marguerite Wildenhain ; Staatliche Porzellan Manufaktur ; Staatliche Porzellan Manufaktur" height_offset="0" /></div>
Bowl, One of Pair
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:87.2265625px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.60501567398" id="zoomer_89658_24071iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/74/f5/473046dd8c7bad736c1a95f62d8a/140/120/89658.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Bowl, One of Pair, Artist Unknown (China)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Mug, from a set of six
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.11458333333" id="zoomer_96006_22169iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/17/d8/26cf042fd30f7659f0f73c6acfe7/140/120/96006.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Mug, from a set of six, Warren MacKenzie" height_offset="0" /></div>
Vessel
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.08463541667" id="zoomer_71555_50003iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/4d/ea/58482d6e1c78659ae23f6dd6ce4f/140/120/71555.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Vessel, Maria Martinez ; Maria Martinez ; Julian Martinez ; Julian Martinez" height_offset="0" /></div>
More examples
The following slides provide even more examples of ceramic works. You may want to increase the choices for this assignment by including these in the activity.
Storage Vessel
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.908854166667" id="zoomer_98350_1373iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/88/1f/9d27d72fe7cd123cf0e07f8f4ac4/140/120/98350.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="S, Artist Unknown (M)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Beaked Vessel
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.98828125" id="zoomer_90305_25919iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/ba/8f/1905803c851a17004c103f898ac3/140/120/90305.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Beaked Vessel, Artist Unknown (Persia (Iran))" height_offset="0" /></div>
Storage Jar (lei)
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:107.091633466px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.30729166667" id="zoomer_95353_15976iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/c9/95/144628150ccab2f7415bbceefcbc/140/120/95353.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Storage Jar (lei), Artist Unknown (Xindian)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Black-Figure Neck Amphora
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.786458333333" id="zoomer_3395_32930iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/d3/41/4e10d70fece4f26ca334153826b5/140/120/3395.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Black-Figure Neck Amphora, the Painter of Vatican 359 ; the Painter of Vatican 359" height_offset="0" /></div>
Lekythos
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.385416666667" id="zoomer_103737_27720iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/41/2b/0977ba113ddf8da73b14299a5075/140/120/103737.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Lekythos, The Bird Painter ; The Bird Painter" height_offset="0" /></div>
Vessel
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.627604166667" id="zoomer_103154_16078iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/09/7e/d9d1c11adbc3eca5f0ab57e56f51/140/120/103154.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Vessel, Artist Unknown (Moche)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Vessel
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:115.241157556px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.21484375" id="zoomer_96667_39165iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/f9/71/043169754ffa4e8df392a7f83252/140/120/96667.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Vessel, Artist Unknown (Igbo)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Jar
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.967447916667" id="zoomer_89825_49442iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/59/0b/d7c64a66e3c5c341627dbcd94bd5/140/120/89825.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Jar, Artist Unknown (China)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Waste Vessel (ch'a-tou)
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.985677083333" id="zoomer_481_60634iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/45/1f/9a4492992a5812f8e7276df134c3/140/120/481.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Waste Vessel (ch'a-tou), Artist Unknown (China)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Bowl with Lid
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.1015625" id="zoomer_89044_63986iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/b7/72/6972d79cb7e5251e2be5a291ff1c/140/120/89044.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Bowl with Lid, Artist Unknown (Vietnam)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Bowl
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:101.58203125px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.37819650067" id="zoomer_70325_13959iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/e4/a4/c8e8cea3ac721f4dd9cc127f46ed/140/120/70325.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Bowl, Artist Unknown (Ancient Puebloan (Anasazi))" height_offset="0" /></div>
Celadon jar
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.09375" id="zoomer_104235_13356iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/9e/33/adaa3a25e8d5d5c49fee6b5afe65/140/120/104235.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Celadon jar, Artist Unknown (China)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Jug
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.770833333333" id="zoomer_89328_14259iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/06/a2/c7b03a2b7b099fb2bdbc99ca38c5/140/120/89328.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Jug, Artist Unknown (Germany)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Fuddling cup
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.07942708333" id="zoomer_104067_16434iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/5e/7a/032ec03c2a936f0ec847580070ae/140/120/104067.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Fuddling cup, Artist Unknown (England)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Dragon jar
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.7890625" id="zoomer_103763_55902iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/a3/e4/b2ebe4d682b7c4e0e6773d436b09/140/120/103763.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Dragon jar, Artist Unknown (Korea)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Moon Flask
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.8359375" id="zoomer_100859_24696iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/76/e0/82351d5950ec85626d63fbf87e16/140/120/100859.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="M, Artist Unknown (C)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Vessel
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.07552083333" id="zoomer_103117_36124iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/bc/0c/0b9eeb54098e74c33f2e9a5eaa0f/140/120/103117.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Olla, Artist Unknown (Haaku (Acoma Pueblo))" height_offset="0" /></div>
Jar
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.838541666667" id="zoomer_73952_49839iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/cc/2d/7ca3be2f8561bd6f28561eb60e2f/140/120/73952.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Jar, Artist Unknown (United States)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Gravy boat
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:107.951807229px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.296875" id="zoomer_89051_51048iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/9e/e0/d250daeacc03781e6dbcb5a4d222/140/120/89051.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Gravy boat, Artist Unknown (England)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Figure
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.567708333333" id="zoomer_73579_38157iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/7e/f0/fef1a0f3f790ca25acbbb7094205/140/120/73579.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Figure, M. Lanfrey ; M. Lanfrey" height_offset="0" /></div>
"Seated Bear" still bank
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.6796875" id="zoomer_97916_12606iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/1f/ee/6d0940aa6d635465e8a6cfe538f1/140/120/97916.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="', Artist Unknown (U)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Aquarian flower pot
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.96484375" id="zoomer_102737_21439iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/39/02/70ff59aa90b563247bbf0aaeda07/140/120/102737.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Aquarian flower pot, Christopher Dresser ; Christopher Dresser ; Wedgwood ; Wedgwood" height_offset="0" /></div>
Vase with Birds and Flowers, one of a pair
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:104.7265625px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.33681462141" id="zoomer_89118_19418iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/29/a0/b248929f838eb4130ea61f96a247/140/120/89118.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Vase with Birds and Flowers, one of a pair, William Barrum ; William Barrum" height_offset="0" /></div>
Vessel
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.77734375" id="zoomer_72278_24814iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/b6/cb/ca97ab7971e8230d83f7f39adb7d/140/120/72278.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Vessel, Artist Unknown (Nupe)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Bowl
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:104.1796875px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.343832021" id="zoomer_104175_4311iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/7c/12/066b09de9ebe70ee6d3fbf9a1ce9/140/120/104175.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Bowl, Artist Unknown (Gio)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Bowl
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:86.26953125px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.62282091918" id="zoomer_92679_43127iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/cf/9a/207c64dd003b2712207bd9bc59f2/140/120/92679.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Bowl, Artist Unknown (China)" height_offset="0" /></div>
Two-handled vessel
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_1.04427083333" id="zoomer_73782_27892iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/aa/1e/a3d599afb25fbacb20094932c22e/140/120/73782.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="Two-handled vessel, Warren MacKenzie ; Warren MacKenzie" height_offset="0" /></div>
St. Katharina (St. Catherine)
<div class="unzoomed_thumbnail" style="width:140px; height:120px;"><img class="inline_img fake_0.6015625" id="zoomer_21939_61980iip_loading" src="http://www.artsconnected.org/media/9d/cf/14c54aee72c93cde0e7f0f41c62f/140/120/21939.jpg" class="iip_loading" title="" alt="St. Katharina (St. Catherine), Katharina Fritsch" height_offset="0" /></div>
