36. POTTERS IN ASIA
Here are three articles of interest about potters in Asia that I found on the website called 'CERAMICS TODAY' :
- in China
From an article by Steve Brousseau, 'Throwing Classical Porcelain of Jingdezhen' :
"Jingdezhen classical porcelain is unlike any other clay. (...)
"Kaolin clay, gaolin, was discovered around 500 years ago during the Ming Dynasty in the mountain village of Gaolin. This addition of white gaolin clay to the petunze gave a structure to the porcelain and made possible the throwing of large forms, both as complete pieces and in the sectional cylinders of the body-height vases. (...)
"Jingdezhen is the home of nine of the 26 Masters of Art and Craft of China, the highest national accolade. This title is generally reserved for the decorators. The unsung craftsmen throwers are hidden away in factories and one stumbles upon them to watch in awe at their tremendous skill and humbleness."
- in Korea
From an article by Ron du Bois, 'Ongi Potters' :
"Korean pottery today is still largely produced as it was in the past. (...)
"The complexity of the ceramic process is taken for granted, as is the necessity for a division of labor. Chopping wood, mixing and decanting clay, slicing, stacking and firing are assigned to specialists. The authorship of the pottery when it emerges from the kiln is diffuse, since it is the result of the coordinated effort of many hands." (...)
"But, for the present, at least, the Western potter is still able to observe the traditional skills of the Korean potter.
- in Cambodia
From an anonymous article :
"The National Center for Khmer Ceramics Revival is aimed at the revival of Cambodian ceramics. (...)
"Serge Rega established NCKCR in Siem Reap-Angkor, renowned for the Angkor temples. Tourists abound, creating substantial incomes, but paradoxically Siem Reap remains one of the poorer provinces of Cambodia. Siem Reap is emerging as a developed city, but geographically, poverty is displaced by about only 2 kilometers.
NCKCR is involved in Vocational training, which helps the poor rural population and will decrease poverty. Training is provided free of charge. Students are given an allowance to compensate for 'lost' time, which would otherwise be spent earning a living."
- in China
From an article by Steve Brousseau, 'Throwing Classical Porcelain of Jingdezhen' :
"Jingdezhen classical porcelain is unlike any other clay. (...)
"Kaolin clay, gaolin, was discovered around 500 years ago during the Ming Dynasty in the mountain village of Gaolin. This addition of white gaolin clay to the petunze gave a structure to the porcelain and made possible the throwing of large forms, both as complete pieces and in the sectional cylinders of the body-height vases. (...)
"Jingdezhen is the home of nine of the 26 Masters of Art and Craft of China, the highest national accolade. This title is generally reserved for the decorators. The unsung craftsmen throwers are hidden away in factories and one stumbles upon them to watch in awe at their tremendous skill and humbleness."
- in Korea
From an article by Ron du Bois, 'Ongi Potters' :
"Korean pottery today is still largely produced as it was in the past. (...)
"The complexity of the ceramic process is taken for granted, as is the necessity for a division of labor. Chopping wood, mixing and decanting clay, slicing, stacking and firing are assigned to specialists. The authorship of the pottery when it emerges from the kiln is diffuse, since it is the result of the coordinated effort of many hands." (...)
"But, for the present, at least, the Western potter is still able to observe the traditional skills of the Korean potter.
- in Cambodia
From an anonymous article :
"The National Center for Khmer Ceramics Revival is aimed at the revival of Cambodian ceramics. (...)
"Serge Rega established NCKCR in Siem Reap-Angkor, renowned for the Angkor temples. Tourists abound, creating substantial incomes, but paradoxically Siem Reap remains one of the poorer provinces of Cambodia. Siem Reap is emerging as a developed city, but geographically, poverty is displaced by about only 2 kilometers.
NCKCR is involved in Vocational training, which helps the poor rural population and will decrease poverty. Training is provided free of charge. Students are given an allowance to compensate for 'lost' time, which would otherwise be spent earning a living."
Comments
Why did I look up the french translation and use that? It looked prettier in french. "Dans l'esprit d'une grand-mère" looked prettier than the same thing, in english.. "In the mind of a Grandmother." ,-)
Mari-Nanci