Andrea Vinkovic Sculpture - you just have to jiggle it!

Get yourself a coffee or a vino, 

this is a LONG one.

During my residency at CIT (Central Institute of Technology) Ceramics Dept. in Perth, I've been privy to the development of a unique sculpture by ceramic artist Andrea Vinkovic.  Andrea has been preparing a ceramic arch built from 21 'blocks' each custom made, each formed from hundreds of small wheel thrown clay vessels dropped, still soft and wet, straight off the wheel, into custom made moulds of MD.  The making of the blocks alone created exquisite little works in ivory clay. After bisquing, she sprayed the blocks in two glazes which reacted together resulting in a bubbly crater like surface in ivory, grey, oyster shades.  I want one, she knows, but I think I am dreaming. I know where there will be one auctioned soon though.  This Arch has been a mammoth task.   

Given the myriad skills that making the arch has required you won't be surprised to learn that the artist is the technician in the ceramics department at WA's Perth Central TAFE (now Central Institute of Technology).   The other techs there are equally knowledgable and supportive to students and staff, troubleshooting and nutting out any glitches that get in the way of a good idea.  

Above, the arch is being tested out - each block with its own mini framework of welded steel - designed so the blocks sit on top of each other and interlock.  

The piece is destined for the Gomboc Sculpture Park Midland, for a competition. 

I have witnessed the making and construction of this unique work, observing the easy going, smiling Andrea squeezing time into her weeks, between family life, travel, and work, quickly and casually throwing endless little soft pots, and later hours worth of welding of the metal framework for the interior space.  AV and team was a bit preoccupied, so I documented the event.  

 Bela Kotai and Charlie the brilliant technician lend their wisdom, 

understanding (and muscles)

Is it me or do the surfaces resemble homemade meringues?  

above - the interior framework

below- the packing preparation, designed to keep it all in place prior to moving to site

 Detail shots 

BELOW - the base of one of the legs of the arch

Terror, apprehension, exhilaration?  All?

Pause for prayer? The Why am I doing this moment. 

There was a crunching sound.

Before transporting the work, we had to test it to ensure the top of the arch fitted onto the columns.  That was seriously stressful.  

I say 'we' - I was the cheerleader.

Onto the forklift, carefully lifting the apex of the arch onto the pillars

 and lining it all up so the framework interlocked

 The moment of truth, you just have to jiggle it!  

 Jiggle it more!

 Yes?

 Yessssssss!! 

 Did you hear a pin drop?

 Then the forklift had to be lowered very slowly, and it doesn't DO 'down' slowly.

 She's there!  That was a good moment.

But here is the end result, last weekend at Gomboc Sculpture Park.... tadaaa, Andrea 'chillin' after a trauma free installation.  Hear that sigh!

Here is Robert modelling ... ART,

 and below, Tell me Andrea, what is next on your creative horizon?  

Mmmm I will keep you posted.  

Now head on over to the Mud Colony site to catch up on a bunch of my clay pals.  Fourteen blog links just waiting for your attention and enjoyment.  

It is hard to be right all the time

Why on earth are you reading this?  Are you looking for something?  It seems to me that you probably are and that you chose to come here by subscribing or googling or clicking on a link somewhere.  For this I thank you, and I welcome you with a big warm smile.  The point is we go looking for 'stuff' on the net, for some images or written inspiration, food for thought.  We go blogging on the net to provide such things.   I've been thinking about blogs and blogging.  Some people told me recently they feel there is a lot of EGO behind a blog. Was I supposed to be affronted or put in my place?  I felt I was being criticised for my 'vanity' and for 'wasting' lots of my time.  Sheesh (rolls eyes).  Actually I am a confident woman who is computer savvy and can type as fast as I can speak - therefore very efficient in how I choose to waste MY time.  I feel most blogging stems from an intention to share and discuss things that interest or matter to a person and there are benefits.   Oh Lookee, a card from a friend and potter with whom I have developed a very fond friendship - through BLOGGING.  Do you recognise the style (hint Adriana Christianson).  I didn't ask her permission to show the card but I'm confident she'll be pleased that I kept it and that indirectly I'm directing you to her work, style and name.

I came across an interesting post on this potter's blog though, reminding me of the importance to give credit where due and with permission when sharing info about other artists. I think I'd get more bent out of shape if someone used my images or words on a blog that was monetised and allowed the blogger to derive income indirectly through using my intellectual property.  Still it is a grey area.  I may copy Jesse Lu's disclaimer - except I'd ask her first.  

The Kiln Filler Parcel Pass

It sounds like a really odd dance routine and one at which potters would excel, The Kiln Filler Parcel Pass. The Australian Ceramics Triennale is getting revved up in anticipation of the big conference later this year in Adelaide.  Guy Ringwood has been keeping us in the loop by writing a wonderful blog as the plans develop.  If you plan to attend the conference - end September 2012, you should subscribe to the Triennale blog.  It seems like the BEST time to be a South Australian Potter, the excitement is palpable.  I love this idea for the Kiln Filler Parcel Pass, especially as I seem to do well in ceramics raffles.  

First up is The Kiln Filler Parcel Pass…

We are also hosting a little sale during the lunch break on the Sunday so bring a suitcase full of pots and see if you can make a little moolah to support your trip over for the conference!As is the tradition with the Triennale this year we will be throwing a shindig of sorts, from what I can find out (not  much at all, right now) it should be something to let your hair down for so make sure you bring some dancing shoes…

The idea behind this tasty morsel is that you bring a little kiln filler gift with you to the conference and on Sunday everyone will walk away with something different. The potential is there to walk away with something very special so I hope you all get your Kiln God on and bring a beautiful little gift with you to share. 

BIG STUFF

A magnet on my fridge door reminds the four males in my house that 'Only dull women have immaculate houses'.  I have no wish to be 'dull', nor to be dazzling either.  I suspect that taking time out to say, clean the bath, dust the blinds or vacuum, would rob me of time spent on more interesting things to me like -  clay, glaze, art, books, friends, movies, studio time. In addition to this weak argument for being a hint slovenly at times - I am allergic to dust!  That kind of justifies my approach I think.  I am only protecting my health, right?!  Fortunately a blindness to mess prevails in our very tolerant home.  So I was torn last week between doing the necessary housey stuff and spending time on clay at CIT Perth for this my first ever Artist's residency. I clocked up enough time to get about four 60cm platters made by forming the clay into a mould I'd made.  As I observed them, firming up slowly, and contemplated how I'd decorate them - the inclination to splash brush loads of slip just took over.  What am I doing here?  I am indulging myself in some time to make what the heck appeals most to me just now, to make large platters from crunchy robust clay, play with my print techniques on clay, explore some hot textural glazes and get some pretty adventurous quadraxial tests up and running.  I haven't used my Matrix software for ages and I love it so. The platters are made through a technique Ian Jones, ACE Woodfirer of ACT taught us ways to make BIG STUFF.  It was novel and liberating to be making BIG stuff but sadly I could not take my work back on the plane with me to Perth.  A 60cm platter on Qantas?  It wasn't happening.  I can throw larger pieces but have a dodgy shoulder I must work around. So I make the slightly (maybe more than that) imperfectly formed hand built platters, and let my first instinct tell me how to finish them.  I think I am overwhelming myself with all of the ideas I want to try out but gosh it is fun to just 'play'.

Looking through the vitrine.

I wasn't planning on blogging today, but spotted this interview with Edmund de Waal - maker, observer, writer - being interviewed for the Royal Academy here.  I just figured I'd share, you may not be a fan of the RA in London and  miss it, and still be a fan of porcelain.  Have you read his book The Hare with Amber Eyes?  Very popular, good read - quite a tale. Off to make some porcelain goodies of my own.