304: Fall Fund Drive: Wayne Higby on his teaching career and the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum
Today on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have an interview with Wayne Higby. He came to Alfred University as an associate professor of ceramics in 1973. He continues to teach there to this day, along with maintaining an active studio practice and a recent appointment as the director of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum. In our interview we talk about the importance of what Higby calls “witnessing” in his teaching, the five lenses of critique, and the founding of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum. For more information visit www.americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/higby where you can see images of Wayne’s work from his 2013 Renwick Gallery retrospective Infinite Place: The Ceramic Art of Wayne Higby.
Wayne Higby’s Five Lenses of Critique
1. The Formal Lens: This “viewing area” of the lens system is what can be considered to be the fundamental, factual information (formal = in accordance with usual requirements) – painting, sculpture, print, pot and sub-sets of these generalities: ceramics, bronze, oil, watercolor, glass, pen and ink and so forth -- materials and methods/techniques – how is “it” done. “Qualities” of color and rendering, touch of the brush and or the hand—weight, mass, gravity --- arrangement----sometimes referred to as composition and its devices ---- Structure and Surface - light absorption/reflection. Keep going!
*Critical point: Means associated with qualities of material and process are the empowering ingredients essential to the ultimate meaning embedded in all works of art.
2. The Biography of the Artist Lens: Who made the work? All known details of the artist’s life – culture/ethnicity, etc., etc. and what the artist may say about his or her work.
3. The Psychological Lens: What do you feel about the work? How does the work make you feel physically, instinctually, emotionally, and intellectually? This lens may contain ruminations on content, subject matter, narrative qualities or the vacuuming away of those more obvious clues. What does the work of art make you think about?
4. The Art Historical Lens: Are there relationships to art history in the work? What other works of art seem to contain similar resonances? Does the particular work on view remind you of another artist’s work? Are there clear references? Aspects of the entire spectrum of art history West and East are potentially relevant.
5. The Sociological Lens: This lens is a view to context. How does the work of art on view reflect its time, culture, environmental conditions and communal organizational systems? What are the sociological conditions at work in which the art is/was produced? Why this work now? Many works of art transcend the time frame in which they were made. What is the current sociological element that makes a particular work from the past pertinent to the present?
Hey Red Clay Rambler fans, the leaves are falling here in the U.S. so it’s time for you to show your love for this podcast during our Fall fund drive. Our goal for the month of November is to raise $12,000 to support our production costs. Throughout the year I receive emails from fans who talk about how this podcast helps them connect with other artists around the world. One recent listener said, “I appreciate all the voices you give a platform to, especially amazing women like Naomi Clement.” Giving voice to the many generations of ceramics artists that are working today is my mission and I need your help to accomplish it. You can get involved by making a monthly donation at www.patreon.com/redclayrambler, or you can make a one-time donation at www.talesofaredclayrambler.com/donate. After you make your donation ask a friend to match your pledge with their own. Word of mouth is the best call to action, so I ask that you help me, by encouraging your friends and studio mates to support the show. With your help I can keep producing the interviews that you have come to love. Thanks for listening and let’s get on with the show.
For today’s AMACO Community Corkboard we have the 43rd annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show taking place November 8th - 10th, 2019 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. With over a dozen categories of fine craft including ceramics, jewelry, furniture, fiber, and more, attendees will have ample opportunity to interact with the artists during the show, including “meet & greet” tours with artists, opening night gala and award ceremony, on-site artist demonstrations, and a fashion show. To learn more about the Craft Show and ticket information, please visit www.pmacraftshow.org. I’d like to thank Amaco/Brent for sponsoring the community corkboard. Brent Equipment is celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year and have created a Limited Edition Black CXC wheel. For more information visit www.amaco.com.