Bill Campbell Visit

Yesterday, Marge, Ben, and I had the opportunity to visit Bill Campbell's studio for kiln building. It was amazing seeing his kilns are operated through computer software programs. He has complete control and monitoring capabilities for each kiln with the use of his software. The software gives charts and graphs, so you know exactly how the kilns are firing in relation to one another. He was great about sharing information and explained how we would set up a system like his.

He also gave us a tour of his studio and saw how his studio operates. We learned how he makes his clay, glazes, packs work, and much more! He seems like a great resource of knowledge and I am looking forward to learning more about his kilns when we visit again.

For images of the visit see our kiln photographer's blog (Ben)!

Kinetic and Pneumatic Inspirations

Clay as the main medium in my work provides some adversity when creating kinetic and pneumatic sculptures. I am beginning to experiment with the ridiculousness of how I am using clay to create sculpture and exaggerating them both aesthetically and functionally. I have been looking at artists such as Bernie Lubell and Arthur Ganson and how they use moving parts aesthetically. Also, I have begun looking at exaggerated machine forms in cartoons and children's books for inspiration too.

Arthur Ganson "Child Watching Ball"

 

Bernie Lubell

I had the opportunity to meet and have a private critique with Bernie last year. He was a great source of information and gave me a lot of advice with my pneumatic work. This video is great and shows a lot of his work. About half way through the video, he is repairing one of his machines, while looking and talking like a doctor. 

Lubell's sense of humor can also be seen in this video: http://vimeo.com/40287000

While looking at exaggerated machines and cartoon aesthetics, I stumbled across this image from a Dr. Seuss book. This has become the inspiration for a new pneumatic piece I have started.

Bolts and Rivets

Lately, I have begun experimenting with bolts and rivets in my pieces to making each piece look like it is made from several steel sheets. Some of my work has actual bolts connecting various parts together, but I am starting to incorporate clay bolts and rivets onto the slab surfaces. Two artists I have been looking at extensively while doing this is Andrew Massey and Randolph Silver. I think both artists incorporate these elements into their work very successfully. (The first two images are of Andrew Massey's work and last two are of Randolph Silver's work)

Finished Work

Here are some images of recently finished pieces! I am having trouble posting a video of one of them, so that will be coming soon. Both seem to be work pretty well!

Cho Ming-shun

Clay, slab built, engobe, sgraffito, burnished

Recently I have started looking at Cho Ming-shun's slab build forms. I am particularly drawn to the first image of the lever balancing. The bottom two images are from a series of slab built houses he uses as a type of board game when they are all together. They each have a savings box function too and are inspired by the board game Monopoly.

Check out more at: 

http://exhibition.ceramics.ntpc.gov.tw/2009happiness/english/fun.html

New/In Progress Mechanisms

Parts to a hand cranked piece I made this weekend which will be a linear motion mechanism.

Stamping/press machine I constructed this week. Pushing the lever will make the arm move up and down. It has a hinged lid that will allow you to see inside the piece at the lever arms while it is working.