ART06101 2019 Ceramics 4: Amalgamations, Thrown Form and Glaze Technology.

General Details

Full Title
Ceramics 4: Amalgamations, Thrown Form and Glaze Technology.
Transcript Title
Ceramics 4: Amalgamations, Thr
Code
ART06101
Attendance
80 %
Subject Area
ART - Art
Department
YADA - Yeats Academy Art Dsgn & Arch
Level
06 - NFQ Level 6
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
Start Term
2019 - Full Academic Year 2019-20
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Elizabeth Caffrey
Programme Membership
SG_AARTT_B07 201900 Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art SG_AARTT_H08 201900 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fine Art SG_AARTT_H08 202200 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fine Art
Description

This module will focus primarily on Throwing and Glaze Technology. Students are encouraged to use the potters' wheel as a means by which to create form or build units. All aspects of this process are demonstrated, from the disciplined throwing of accurate forms to a more expressive 'free form' approach whereby the student is encourage to experiment broadly.                                                                                                                                                     

Whilst working directly from students' visual research, this module will also focus on developing the students’ knowledge of glaze technology, expanding their previous experience in the use of glaze materials. All firing ranges are explored from low-fire , mid-range, to earthenware and finally that of stoneware. At this stage the student can begin to develop their a bespoke range of glazes independently.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Create a broad and well informed body of research, both technical information and relevant visual source material, ensuring they have referenced relevant historical and contemporary artists relating to their works concerns within a Fine Art context.

 

2.

Learn the importance of establishing simple and clear working methods when glaze testing.

 

3.

Understand how to analyze, explore and create a variety of surface treatments through the use of glazes.

 

4.

Consider their work holistically, in order to gain a better understanding of both the direction and type of emerging practice.

5.

Demonstrate a clear understanding of the principles of Throwing.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Each semester the student is provided with a shared project theme which all disciplines follow and to which each student builds their ongoing research. At the early part of the semester initial technical information is provided via a series of demonstrations, information hand-outs and DVD’S. Students' are asked to maintain a Visual Diary, Ceramics Notebook and a series of exploratory macquettes as they develop their ideas. Weekly one-to-one tutorials support the students’ ongoing research and ensure they are responding productively to the designated project brief .Collective discussions and group critiques further support the students learning throughout the semester.

The Visiting Artist Series, International Trip, Exhibition Visits and Field Trips all provide invaluable exposure to a variety of professional platforms during the academic year.

Module Assessment Strategies

The students’ progress is monitored throughout the semester via informal weekly tutorials. Students present their ‘work in progress’ for a Mid Term Review, usually six weeks into the semester. A formal exam takes place at the end of semester whereby the student mounts their finished work in an exhibition format for assessment.

Repeat Assessments

The student is given a set Project to respond to, with a list of requirements. Through this project the student must establish a body of work which will fulfil the required learning outcomes of the initial failed module.The student is given the use of the Ceramic Studios for an extra two weeks, after their assessment, so they'll have the support and access to specialized equipment in order to complete the requirements of the Project.

Module Dependencies

Prerequisites
ART06095 201900 Ceramics 1: Introduction to Clay Origins, Processes and Surface Treatments. ART06099 201900 Ceramics 2: Extruded Form and Raku Glazing ART06100 201900 Ceramics 3: Developing Multiples, Press Moulding and Slip Casting

Indicative Syllabus

Ceramic Studio Protocols and Health + Safety: Initially the students are introduced to a variety of equipment housed in the Ceramic Studio and made aware of the specialist areas of use. They are instructed in the safe use and basic maintenance of all equipment. With a ‘clean as you go’ policy, each student attends to a weekly cleaning schedule and regularly participates in the recycling of the main clay supply, with support staff. Throwing as a technique tends to generate a lot of residual/surplus clay during the process, so efficient recycling protocols are essential. The students are instructed in the safe handling of their materials, reducing the risk of dusty practices and are briefed on all Health & Safety protocols relevant to functioning in the Ceramic Studio.

Visual Research: This is an integral aspect to the student’s engagement, which provides all answers to their material and technical engagement. Students are assigned shared project titles helping them begin to develop their personal interpretations and concepts. They are encouraged to realize the value of a broad and well informed research, which feeds all disciplines. Their investigations should explore both technical and creative sources as well as making themselves familiar with all relevant historical and contemporary artists. A strong and rich research is required to meet the diverse learning challenges. Their repertoire of personal imagery and sources will be the basis for all project work shared with the other Fine Art disciplines. They now have the opportunity to use the skills acquired in previous modules to help them articulate their concerns in more complex terms.

Glaze Technology: Glaze testing is an on-going activity for the ceramic artist. This module informs the student how to further advance their knowledge of glazing, whereby they take their lead from their research. They are shown how to adopt clear  and simple methods when testing so as to reduce any chance of contamination or misidentification. All manner of glazes will be tested relevant to the students’ research. Students will be able to explore and experiment independently in the preparation of their own glaze recipes, using the Glaze Lab at will to develop a full range of personalized colour .

Throwing: A variety of techniques using the potter’s wheel is explored. The essentials of properly preparing the clay beforehand are demonstrated. Processes such as centring, opening , lifting, throwing 'off the hump' , finishing, lifting off and turning are clearly demonstrated. These techniques requires both discipline and time in order to ensure success, so the student is encouraged to practice often to develop better skill and control of this advanced building technique.

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

End of Semester / Year Formal Exam
100 %

End of Semester / Year Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Presentation of a body of work Final Exam Practical Evaluation 100 % End of Semester 1,2,3,4,5
             
             

Full Time Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Workshop / Seminar Ceramics Studio Ceramics 4: Amalgamations, Thrown Form and Glaze Technology 6 Fortnightly 3.00
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 3.00 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Required Reading
2005 Ceramic Faults and Their Remedies A&C Black
ISBN 0713671912 ISBN-13 9780713671919

This book is dedicated to helping potters identify quickly the nature, causes and remedies of a multitude of difficulties that can arise during pottery production. Comprehensive and easy to use, it has aleady proved itself to be an enormously helpful source of reference for craft potters and those working in the ceramic industry. The second edition has beenfully redesigned with colour illustrations and the text has been revised, updated and expanded to reflect new developments.

Required Reading
2016-09-27 Ceramics Chronicle Books
ISBN 1452148090 ISBN-13 9781452148090

This beautiful modern volume presents the work of 30 contemporary artists who have turned to clay to shape their most innovative ideas into stunning works of art. From cups shaped like crystals to a tree trunk made of porcelain and stoneware planters painted to look like ladies, popular curator and blogger Kate Singleton collects here whimsical pieces with narrative, graphic, curious, and organic qualities that blur the line between fine art, design, and craft. Featuring a unique package with a die-cut, foil-stamped cover, this book is a vital guide to an evolving medium and a thoughtful present for those interested in the future of art and craft.

Required Reading
2010 Contemporary British Studio Ceramics
ISBN 0300167199 ISBN-13 9780300167191

In Britain today the output of excellent ceramics seems more eclectic than elsewhere. This stylish and wide-ranging survey comprises examples of clay art by one hundred major artists, covering the period from the late 1980s through 2009. Drawn from the Diane and Marc Grainer Collection, it includes works by Allison Britton, Edmund de Waal, Kate Malone, Grayson Perry, Julian Stair, Steve Dixon, and Nick Arroyave-Portela, among others. The selection balances functional objects and sculpture; hand-built, thrown, and molded techniques; varieties of scale and color; and cerebral and emotional content. All the ceramics here are rooted in the materiality of clay. The properties of the raw material, from its soft, malleable texture to the alchemy of slips and glazes, are at the core of the artists passion. And, as the text reveals, the younger generation is moving into new directions of art practice.

Required Reading
2018-04-05 Developing Glazes Herbert Press
ISBN 191221749X ISBN-13 9781912217496

Developing your own glazes can be tricky and success is dependent on many factors. In this book, ceramicist Greg Daly aims to demystify the process with practical advice and complete, step-by-step instructions. He covers all the essentials, from planning your recipes and recording results to mixing glazes and finding the correct firing temperature. This hands-on technical guidance is supported with helpful how-to images and example tests and recipes.For any potter beginning to experiment with fired colour, texture and decoration in their work, Developing Glazes is an essential reference, revealing workable, exciting methods for achieving the glaze results you want.

Required Reading
2016-06-01 Mastering the Potter's Wheel Voyageur Press (MN)
ISBN 9780760349755 ISBN-13 0760349754

"A book of advances wheel techniques and inspiration for potters who have basic skills but would like to learn more about throwing large forms, lids, handles, darting, and more"--

Required Reading
2016-03-24 Subversive Ceramics Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 9781472528544 ISBN-13 1472528549

Looking at satire and subversion within ceramics.

Required Reading
2008 The Basics of Throwing A&C Black
ISBN 0713681292 ISBN-13 9780713681291

A back-to-basics approach to throwing, covering the essential andfundamental principles. Looking at each movement in depth in thebeginning stages, examining the way the clay moves and the pressuresneeded to control it. Thisbook will cover all the crucial parts of learning to throw forbeginners, centring the clay, making a cylinder, developing shapes fromthe basic cylinder form (i.e. jugs, bowls etc.), and the importance ofdesign and proportion in forms. The book uses lots of very clearphotographs in step-by-step sequences using arrows to show exactly howthe clay is moving and controlled so that the beginner gets a fullunderstanding of the process. Finally, there will be a sectionexamining the work of specific potters, looking at how they havedeveloped their work, along with a critique of their use of form anddecoration.

Required Reading
2009-03 The Ceramic Surface A & C Black
ISBN 1408113392 ISBN-13 9781408113394

The last decade of the 20th century has revealed a remarkable diversityof techniques being used to treat the ceramic surface. In this book,Matthias Ostermann primarily looks at the ceramic surface in thecontext of the vessel and platter that includes the non-functional, themetaphoric, the narrative and even the sculptural. In this he attemptsto give a broad overview of contemporary techniques and approaches,covering as many making and firing procedures as possible, andfocussing on the works of about 200 ceramicists from around the world.The forward discusses some of the decorative trends in ceramicproduction preceding the 20th century and gives an analysis of post-warceramic aesthetic growth in Europe and North America. The book isdivided into ten chapters covering specific areas of methodology andencompassing a wide variety of techniques for making, decorating andfiring, whilst also covering the full spectrum of clays and firingtemperatures. Each artist's image is accompanied by technicalinformation, as well as a statement of inspiration and motivation, togive insight into the concept of each piece.

Required Reading
2017-04-06 The Ceramics Reader Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 9781472584434 ISBN-13 1472584430

The Ceramics Reader is an impressive editorial collection of essays and text extracts, covering every discipline within ceramics, past and present. Tackling such fundamental questions as "why are ceramics important?", the book also considers the field from a range of perspectives - as a cultural activity or metaphor, as a vehicle for propaganda, within industry and museums, and most recently as part of the 'expanded field' as a fine art medium and hub for ideas. Newly commissioned material features prominently alongside existing scholarship, to ensure an international and truly comprehensive look at ceramics.

Required Reading
2018-05-17 Throwing Herbert Press
ISBN 1912217619 ISBN-13 9781912217618

Throwing is an important skill for any potter to master, using only a few tools, the guidance of their hands, and the momentum of a wheel.Having spent his life making pots and teaching others to make them, Richard Phethean describes essential techniques for working on the wheel with an eye for the practical. He covers a range of forms, from simple domestic pots to more complex vessels, with the aim of building makers' confidence in throwing techniques. The book features clear instructions for creating each type of vessel, accompanied by illustrated step-by-step instructions, which demonstrate the techniques described. It also profiles the work of contemporary potters for whom throwing is a vital part of their practice. Throwing is an essential companion for anyone attempting to master the art of forming pots on the wheel.

Required Reading
2017-10-02 Vitamin C: Clay and Ceramic in Contemporary Art Phaidon Press
ISBN 0714874604 ISBN-13 9780714874609

A global survey of 100 of today's most important clay and ceramic artists, chosen by leading art world professionals. Vitamin C celebrates the revival of clay as a material for contemporary visual artists, featuring a wide range of global talent as selected by the world's leading curators, critics, and art professionals. Clay and ceramics have in recent years been elevated from craft to high art material, with the resulting artworks being coveted by collectors and exhibited in museums around the world. Packed with illustrations, Vitamin C is a vibrant and incredibly timely survey - the first of its kind. Artists include: Caroline Achaintre, Ai Weiwei, Aaron Angell, Edmund de Waal, Theaster Gates, Marisa Merz, Ron Nagle, Gabriel Orozco, Grayson Perry, Sterling Ruby, Thomas Schtte, Richard Slee, Clare Twomey, Jesse Wine, and Betty Woodman. Nominators include: Pablo Leon de la Barra, Iwona Blazwick, Mary Ceruti, Dan Fox, Jens Hoffmann, Christine Macel, James Meyer, Jed Morse, Beatrix Ruf, Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Nancy Spector, Sheena Wagstaff, and Jonathan Watkins.

Required Reading
2010 Wheel Throwing Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
ISBN 1600592449 ISBN-13 9781600592447

An artist introduces the mechanics of wheel-thrown ceramics, taking the reader through nine projects, from a simple bowl to more advanced creations, in a book with full-color gallery sections that aim to provide inspiration.

Module Resources

Journal Resources

Ceramics, Art and Perception (online copy).

Ceramics International (online copy).

Ceramics Ireland.

Ceramics Review.

Ceramics Technical (online copy).

Visual Artists Ireland Newsletter.

Other Resources

DVD's on the lives and works of relevant Artists.

Additional Information

Students are encouraged to seek Workplacement / Internships/ Scholarships or any work experience in the visual arts. This 'real life' engagement provides an invaluable context for their ongoing learning.