nceca 2014: christen baker
DESCRIPTION
Lecture: Clay: The Everlasting Memento The significance of clay in our daily lives is deeply rooted beyond the physical object. The permanence of clay becomes an important tool that, throughout history, has been used to preserve and commemorate. We subconsciously desire to be remembered and we consciously decide to record our memories.TRANSCRIPT
Clay: The Everlasting Memento
Christen Baker
Why Clay?
Clay is Accessible
• Clay and other ceramic materials are mined for industry.
• clay and ceramic stores around the country.
• You can dig up your own.
Clay is Versatile
• Functional• Waterproof• Durable• Decorative• Can be altered for the needs of the
artist
Clay is Pliable
• Can be molded and formed very easily– Handbuilding– Slipcasting– Throwing on the wheel
• Has great plasticity with the addition of water
• Can be very strong with the ceramic additives
Clay is Archival
• Clay becomes permanent when fired to a minimum of 600 degrees Celcius or 1112 degrees Farenheight.
• Once clay has chemically changed and reached vitrification, it cannot physically break down on its own - ever.
Ancient Civilization
Jericho, 7000 BCE
Mesopotamia
Sumer, 2500 BCE
Egypt
Ancient Greece
The Etruscans
The Rise of Industrialized Ceramics
19th Century America
Contemporary Interpretations
What have we concluded?