Dispensing liquids from containers is a pretty basic human activity. Be they refrigerator pitchers, teapots, creamers, gravy boats — even oil or watering cans — the objects themselves are ubiquitous, most often serving a background role to what’s dispensed. Thank the horde of plastic milk jugs, water bottles, and glassware for making these utilitarian objects somewhat secondary and invisible. Potters look to opacify function, to make it present and acknowledged.
This workshop aims to explore some novel mechanics of dispersal and methods in clay to achieve them, borrowing heavily from garment making techniques. The asymmetry of the body speaks to a similarity of purpose. To use a seamstress’ term, “Darts are used to create 3D shaping in flat fabric in order to fit the figure.”
Over the course of the week, I will demonstrate how to use darts to fundamentally change the volume of a singular thrown form to create interiors conducive to pouring. I’ll also present ways to make and alter structural elements such as spouts; as well as handles and knobs to engage the hand in an ergonomic manner. There will be ample time for hands on exploration of the techniques to set you off in new directions in the art of pour!
