Fired results of pots with text

"For the straightforward pathway had been lost," Dante's Inferno, Canto I.

New text work

Here is the new (hand built) duck for the installation.  Letters were rubber stamped with under glaze. It took several firings because I didn't recognize I had used the wrong under glaze color until after it was glazed.  Then I had to re-fire twice to get the right yellow. 

7.5" x 5" x 6"

 

I added a text line from the Inferno on the large group of squashed pots.  These images show the process from trying out different fonts, sizes, and positioning.  I was unable to transfer the type by rubbing graphite off the back because of the slick glaze surface so it all had to be hand lettered by eye.  My experience in the graphic/publishing industry really helped here! I'll be sending them through for an over glaze (cone 019) firing today. The text running over the vessels helps pull the group together and adds another layer of meaning.

More arrangements

Rearranging the installation

Rather than totally giving up on the installation, I went back at it with some editing and new ground paper. I'll need to pick up another roll of black to get more depth and space between items.  I do think there is improvement.  The swan is now more firmly engaged.  I am making a new rubber duck in the studio. Here are some variations. To be continued...

without swan

with swan

Adding smokes, shifting orb. Need more space, looking cluttered.

Other new improved images

These pieces have already been presented either in group installation shots or separately.  Izzy Schwartz provided the photography here.  Jim suggested I build these "figurines" really large so you can physically relate to them. Scaled up they'll have more impact.

Smokes. 7.5" to 16"h

other view

Smokes on orb. 16"h x 15"d

side view

detail

 Although I got some interesting glaze effects, I prefer to have contrast between the interior and exterior of the forms.  The matte glazes are more effective on the pots in general. 

Large squashed pots. 18" x 18" x 12"

New improved photos with text

After having my work professionally shot (by Izzy Schwartz, Sacramento), I am much more jazzed about the projections on the pots.  This may be the direction I focus on for the next two semesters: building the vessels bigger and working out the installation kinks with projections and text.  I also had the "smokes" individually photographed which will be in a separate post. 

Pound of Flesh: Eat Me. Projection on ceramic & mixed media. 12.5" x 15" x 1.5"

Squashed Pot Series: Greed. Projection on ceramic, 12" x 8" x 7" on 14"d base

Squashed Pot Series: Hope. Projection on ceramic. 12" x 7.5" x 5.5" on 14"d base

Squashed Pot Series: Love Me. Projection on ceramic. 10" x 6.5" x 7" on 14"d base

Squashed Pot Series: Touch Me. Projection on ceramic. 10" x 7.5" x 5" on 14"d base

Squashed Pot Series: Lust. Projection on ceramic. 12" x 8.5" x 8" on 14"d base

Squashed Pot Series: Pride. Projection on ceramic. 7" x 10" x 10" on 14"d base

Large squashed pot group

This group of squashed pots were shown in progress in a post on April 13th.  Since then they have gone through multiple glaze firings, the last of which came out of the kiln during my mentor meeting yesterday, still warm and pinging!  They really need to be viewed in the round so I am including several views.  We discussed my applying pressure from above, not just from the sides.  I may try layering them as well.  Final size: 17" x 18" x 11"h.

Coming Together while falling apart

April was a difficult difficult month (ah, The Waste Land). The installation is taking shape, minus the ceramic rubber duck that is currently in a gallery as part of another work. The newest pieces have been photographed in place.  I was not able to properly photograph the text over the squashed pots but I'm posting them here until they are professionally shot.