Instructor:
Jennifer Owen Office:
Ka Lama 133 and Ceramics Studio
Phone:
Office hours: Mon./Wed.
A. Course Description:
Art 244 develops vessel and
sculptural concepts using wheel throwing techniques. The course introduces the elements of art
through the making of ceramic form. The
class progresses beyond basic throwing techniques to intermediate throwing
skills, various forming and embellishing techniques both on the wheel and
subsequent to throwing, colored slip work, glaze work, and the firing of
kilns. Students work towards development
of individual creative expression.
B. Course Credits and Contact Hours per Week:
Three credits, and six lecture/lab
contact hours.
C. Prerequisites:
Art 105, or consent.
D. General Course Objectives:
At the end of the course the
student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate the use of clay
as a means of individual expression.
2. Demonstrate the
relationship between form and function in functional vessels and the
relationship between form and content in non-functional ceramics.
3. Demonstrate innovative
problem solving.
4. Demonstrate an awareness of
ceramic traditions around the world, and, in particular, a familiarity with the
development of ceramics as art in the twentieth century.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of
visual elements and design principles while creating vessels and sculptural
forms.
6. Demonstrate an ability to
articulate the concepts and intent of a completed piece.
E. Learner Outcomes:
Students completing this
course will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a proficiency
in wheel throwing techniques and an effort to develop a personal style.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of
different clay bodies and the relationship of geology to the origin and
characteristics of clay.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of
the varieties of materials and techniques of the glazing and firing processes,
including the basic chemical compositions of glazes, oxidation and reduction
firing, low temperature and high temperature firing, and proper kiln care and
safety
4. Demonstrate an
understanding of color and surface as it relates to three-dimensional form in
the use of glazes and oxides.
5. Demonstrate an
understanding of kilns and the chemical changes that transform clay and glaze
at each stage of the firing process.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of
historic and contemporary examples of wheel thrown ceramics.
F. Course Requirements:
1. Completion of 15-20 wheel
thrown projects in clay, some being very specific assignments, and others being
chosen by the student, following assignment guidelines.
2. One in-class written exam,
and several quizzes, which will test the students' understanding of vocabulary,
concepts, chemistry, and techniques of ceramics.
3. Active participation in the
maintenance of the studio, including regular cleanup, clay recycling, kiln
shelf chiseling and painting on kiln wash.
4. Active participation in
loading and firing of at least one bisque firing, one glaze firing, and one
raku firing.
5. Mixing of at least one
glaze or colored slip.
6. Keeping a notebook that
records every clay project, with glaze notes for each piece, as well as lecture
notes and notes on glaze tests.
G. Text and Materials:
Numerous handouts will be
used, and students will be referred to two specific ceramic periodicals in our
library (and numerous other books) for further studies.
H. Attendance and Punctuality
Attendance and punctuality is
extremely important if you wish to do well in this class. If you have a legitimate emergency (health,
work or family crisis) you must call ext. 229
I. Evaluation and Grading:
Letter grades will be given based on 90-100% = A, 80-89%
= B, 70-79%=C, 55-69%=D.
The course requirements will be weighted as follows:
Projects and assignments in clay: 50%
Participation in class, includes cleaning
etc.: 20%
Midterm exam:
5%
Quizzes:
5%
Notebook and oral report: 5%
Loading/firing kilns and glaze mixing: 10%
4 pieces for
Note:
Projects are graded on craftsmanship, creativity, vitality, form,
surface, glaze, expression, and effort.
J. Safety:
Throughout the course, safety
will be stressed, with particular attention given to safety in kiln firing
procedures, glaze mixing and handling, and the prevention and hazards of dust
throughout the entire studio and in every stage of working with clay and
glaze. Each student will be expected to
leave the course with a clear understanding of the health hazards associated
with ceramics, and well-developed habits in the safe handling of ceramic
materials. Any deviance from safety
procedures will not be tolerated and will be corrected immediately.
“Assumption
of Risk and Release Forms” are required from all students. Before using the equipment for a class project,
your instructor will review safety procedures.
It is also your responsibility to review those procedures before using
the equipment.
Activities
that create dust from clay or other silica-bearing materials require the use of
an OSHA-approved particle mask. These
activities include: 1) scraping kiln
shelves (protective Eye-wear is also required); 2) mixing dry glazes; 3) using the dry glaze room; 4) grinding or sanding clay; and 5) sanding glaze. Please ask for a dust mask or respirator when
needed, and perform these activities outside the classroom, away from other
students. Manipulating clay involves
some repetitive motion which can put students at risk for carpal tunnel
syndrome and other disorders. Students
are to inform the instructor immediately if they experience any pain or
discomfort in or after class.
Use of
Facilities
¨
Only students currently registered in ceramics
may use facilities; children, family or friends are not allowed in the studio.
¨
Excessive production of ceramic works will not be
allowed, and the interpretation of the word “excessive” is entirely at the
discretion of the instructor. The
instructor reserves the right to refuse to fire any work, either because it is
inappropriate for the college environment, because it is too large, or because
it poses a risk to other work or to the kilns or other equipment.
Music
¨
Radios and other music may not be used during
class time, except by permission of the instructor.
Smoking
¨
Smoking is not allowed in or near the studio.
Footwear
¨
Footwear is mandatory at all times.
Work
Space
¨
Please make it your responsibility to help keep
the studio clean. Your contribution to
studio chores will figure in to the “participation” portion of your grade. Work habits and effort are an important part
of the evaluation process of your grade.
If you come late, leave early, sit around the studio when kilns need to
be stacked, shelves need to be organized, etc., you
will be losing grade credit towards your final grade in the course. Helping in the studio is mandatory and is
part of the course.
Phones
¨
Cell phones and beepers should be turned off
during class. Only in an emergency
should phone calls be made or received during class time.
Special Accommodation
§
Please talk to
me at any time (after class, before class, during office hours, or by
telephone) if you need special accommodation.
The College also has wonderful free counseling, tutoring, etc. that I
can connect you with.
On the second class, you will
be expected to have:
textbook (from
the bookstore)
notebook (You must record glaze notes
for every piece you glaze. You will also
be expected to take notes during lectures.
Handouts should be filed in notebook.)
a tool kit
or the equivalent: needle, wire,
wood knife, sponge, loop tool clay
(a 25 pound bag from the bookstore)
dry
cleaner plastic or several kitchen size plastic garbage bags
small and
medium paint brush (kind that comes to a point)
rubber
gloves (surgical or kitchen type)
green
scrubby pad for sanding clay
optional:
water
spray bottle (spritzer)
smock
or apron
piece
of chamois (1"x 3")
ruler
excellent
tools from MCC bookstore:
scoring tool, clay knife, rubber rib, sharp trimming loop
thin needle
ART 244 COURSE CONTENT
1) Intros, attendance, restrooms
Purchasing clay
Lecture: steps of throwing (fast and slow), slip, recycling scraps
Handout on throwing
Wedging
Timed throwing: 3 minutes per cylinder and cut them all in half at 3 minute time. Rest 1 minute between each one.
Demo: cylinder with 2 lbs., banding with slip, and trimming wet on wheel
Everyone throw 2 lb. cylinder
Assign: syllabus, cylinder assignment, and quiz next class on steps of throwing
Colored slip handout
Quiz
2) Lecture: plasticity, particle size, dust, safety, masks, steps of trimming
Demo: trimming leather hard, carving feet leather hard, sgraffito
Assign: quiz on plasticity and trimming
Continue throwing cylinders
Trim cylinders
3) Pulled handles and other handles
Quiz
Lecture: clay, grog, greenware, bisqueware, drying, shrinking, cracking difference between porcelain, white stoneware, brown stoneware, primary clay and secondary clay, collaring (speed change, wet)
Demo: cylinders with widening and collaring
4) Assign: vase assignment and quiz on lecture
5) Quiz
Demo: throwing off the hump: MCC sugar bowls and creamers
7) Lecture: bowls: rims (importance of, different styles)
dryer clay is an advantage
foot: elevated foot; importance of leather trimming
Demo: bowls and slip banding and free hand painting and dotting
flattened rim, split rim, squared rim
Assign: bowl assignment and slip assignment
8) Demo: faceting and fluting (throwing and altering), ikebana technique
Mishima on bowl from last class
9) Lecture: bisque firing: theory (handouts)
10) Bisque firing: practice: loading bisque
11) Quiz
Firing of electric bisque kiln
Slides of throwing and altering and examples of different artists work
12) Lecture: the science of glaze: chemical composition, effects of temperature and atmosphere of firing on coloring oxides (high fire vs. low fire and oxidation vs. reduction)
Firing: vitrification, gas kilns vs. electric kilns, health and safety in relation to glazes
13) Demo: glazing: paint, dip, pour, waxing, etc.
Assign: use cylinders as glaze tests to try out overlaps of different colors
14) Review for midterm exam
15) Midterm exam
16) Demo: throwing large: coil and throw
17) Demo: throwing large: sectional throwing
18) Lecture: planning complex pieces: drawing as a tool
Demo: throwing off the hump: lids
Teapots: making the components
19) Demo: assembling teapots
20) Mixing glazes
21) Work time
22) Work time
Slides and video
23) Work time
24) Work time
Video
25) Work time
26) Work time
27) Last day to work in wet clay: April 29
28) All greenware must be dry for last bisque: May 1
29) Glazing
30) Last chance to glaze for class projects: May 8
31) Last class meeting: May 13
Check notebooks
Collect students’ self-evaluations of special projects
End of class critique
Clean up
1) Throw 3 or more cylinders using either 2 lbs or 4 lbs of clay for each cylinder
Aim for even thickness of walls and not using more than 5 pulls
Use 2 lbs if you feel less experienced; use 4 lbs if you feel more experienced
Do not change the shape: leave as cylinders
Later use them for glaze testing
Trim feet on each cylinder, experimenting with different foot styles, or cut in half and save the two halves for glaze tests
2) 2 vases, at least 5” tall wet, that have a pleasing shope, including the bottom, which must be trimmed either wet on the wheel or leather hard or carved by hand (the bottom may be flat, it does not need a foot)
or
A sculpture made from 2 or more thrown forms that were initially at least 5” tall wet, that are combined into a sculptural form.
3) A mug or pitcher with added handle
or
A sculpture made from a thrown form with added handbuilt or thrown elements
4) 2 nicely shaped bowls with nicely trimmed or carved feet
or
A sculpture made from two or more thrown forms, one of which is cut into parts and combined with the other form.
5) Two sugar bowls(3 1/2” tall and 3” wide wet) (no lid) and two creamers(4 1/2” tall and 2 ½” wide wet) (no handle, pinched for hand grip) for Class Act Restaurant, made out of white clay, glazed with forest green glaze and fired in the gas reduction kiln. This is your gift to MCC in appreciation for the use of the studio glazes and all the electricity and gas needed to fire your pieces.
6) 2 different kinds of slip decoration on 2 pieces (may be other assignments)
7) Throwing and altering on 2 pieces (may be functional or non-functional)
If you can participate in Bud Clark’s Oriental Philosophy session on Ikibana on a Monday from 6-9pm, then one of these might be an Ikibana container.
8) Mixing of a colored slip(by February 13) or glaze(by March 20)
9) Decoration on top of glaze with oxide, or under clear glaze with oxide pencil (may be another assignment)
10) Participation in loading of an electric bisque and gas glaze, and firing of a gas raku glaze kiln
11) Notebook, containing hand-outs and notes from lectures, as well as a sketch or description of each piece made, with glaze notes about all glazes and decoration used on each piece
12) Oral report, accompanied by some pictures to show the class, about the work of some ceramic artist or period, either contemporary or historic, and a ceramic piece inspired by the artist or era.
13) Special project (counts 3X a regular assignment)
Choose one of the following
projects:
a) teapot
b) sculpture made of at least 3 thrown elements combined together (may include hand built elements as well)
c) large piece (over 12” tall green) made in more than one sitting at the wheel, by coil and throw or sectional throwing method (may be functional or non-functional)
d) large lidded jar (over 8” tall green) with 2 or more lugs or handles
e) a series of 3 or more pieces, exploring variations on the same theme (form, technique, decoration, etc.) (may be functional or non-functional pieces)
14) Student self-evaluation of special project assignment, when it is completed and ready for grading (instructor provides form to fill out)