Function vs. Aesthetics

Which is more important, form or beauty?

In my opinion, both matter. Why choose between one when you can have both? Ceramics, to me best embodies an art form that is functional yet can be beautiful.

Historically, the answer to this question has been aesthetics or beauty. The fine arts were believed to be masterful expressions of emotion, movement and of course beauty. The idea of art being functional and useable is a modern concept. Similar to last week’s post on Photography, another division in art history revolved around this dilemma between function and aesthetics, between fine art and crafts.

What are crafts? First, we must define what art forms fall under this category. By the 18^thcentury clear divisions were seen. Painting and sculpture had the highest status. Lower forms like ceramics, embroidery, weaving, and glass were considered crafts. The difference was function. This phenomenon is unique to Western culture. With time, crafts grew to be more appreciated and respected within the art community, falling under the label of decorative arts. Although this is a slightly derogatory term, now at least these objects are being collected and displayed in museums and galleries around the world.

One of my favorite crafts is ceramics. From hand building to wheel throwing, I will give you a brief introduction to the technique. The main ingredient is clay. Clay like flour comes in all different colors and textures, from stoneware, terracotta, to porcelain. Once the clay is shaped, it dries and is then fired in a kiln to become hard. Here are the steps:

1. Pick a clay body (stoneware, white, porcelain, etc.)

2. Wedge (like kneading bread) remove all air bubbles

3. Cloil, slab, pinch, or throw your desired shape/vessel

4. Dry the object

5. Fire in a kiln (wood, gas, electric, etc.)

6. Glaze or paint the object

7. Glaze fire in the kiln to complete

Wheel throwing is the shaping method created on a potter’s wheel. The Chinese began doing this in 3000 BCE. The lump of clay is centered, then using their thumbs a hole is made in the middle. Then the walls are built up. Steps:

1. Center the clay

2. Using your thumbs, open a hole in the center

3.  Pull up the walls

4.  Shape the vessel

5.  Cut off wheel

Eva Zeisel was a gifted ceramist and designer. She used both hand building and the throwing methods in her work. Born in Budapest, Hungary on November 13, 1906, she passed away in 2011 in New York. You can view her work in the collections of The Art Institute of Chicago, the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Over 75 years of creating and designing very popular modern designs, helped establish her place in history. She was a designer, a ceramist and a teacher. Her work is classic and timeless.

Zeisel created functional objects that were graceful and light. Her designs still remain popular today. Everything she created had a purpose, many of which could be used in the home, from dinnerware to serving tea. Her intention was to honor the function the object was to perform, yet that did not take away from its design.

This Museum Dinner Service, 1946 shows three soft white serving dishes. They seem delicate yet capable. Their shape is very organic, no rough edges or manufactured stiffness to be seen. The solid white color shows off the form of each vessel. Using these objects creates a presentation, eating will never be the same mundane task again!

Museum Dinner Service, 1946 is as popular as ever. By studying the teapot, we clearly see where the handle was added. Usually, we desire to hide such imperfections but not here. Instead the hand assembling is glorified, a connection is made between the artist and the clay and the view and the object. Her superior craftsmanship makes us respect and cherish her objects. We would enjoy making and serving tea if we had such beautiful vessels. These objects serve a very straight forward function, yet we do not view them as tools but as works of art. It feels right to display them behind glass, yet we desire to hold them. Her delicate curves and graceful appendages transcend craft placing her work on a pedestal.

Ceramics can be labeled and displayed as craft, but that will never take away from its inner beauty. You too can create gorgeous hand thrown objects. This technique gives you that ability. Nothing compares to the joy and pride of making something pleasing to the eye that serves a greater purpose. I challenge you to explore the world of ceramics, wedge some clay and let your creative juices flow. ~Samantha