Ken Price

Right after visiting the "Color Chart" show at the MoMA, which failed to thrill me, I happened upon this wonderful ceramic cup by Ken Price, whom I have been meaning to learn more about for some time. It was part of a fantastic show in the department of drawings called "Glossolalia"( which is the technical term for "speaking in tongues"). One of the things I like about this show is that it breaks out of the mold defining what is "drawing" by including a very diverse group of artists working in lots of different media. This turtle-cup is imprisoned in its very own sandbox, which sits within a teakwood frame. Somehow, this silent object speaks very loudly. Alongside is a painted sketch of his for another cup idea based on a hermit crab.

Signs of Spring & A Brick Wall

No real reason for putting up these two images together. The "burnt brick" type of construction at the dojo sometimes reminds me of past kiln overfire mishaps, and helps keep a perspective on the fact that technical failures can sometimes result in cool stuff. Like probably every other person posting photos on blogs, I can't resist documenting the beautiful day we've just had

Of Ceramic Bondage

This Victorian-era Majolica vase is way over the top in idea and execution ( I don't mind... ). Produced by Minton pottery in the mid-1800's, it features Prometheus having his entrails devoured by an eagle, and beneath that, two matched pairs of centurion-looking blondies fastened at the wrists and writhing rather listlessly. Somebody had fun making this. I spotted it at the Philadelphia Museum of Art today, where my primary objective was to visit the William Kentridge tapestry exhibition (great) and the Frida Kahlo (also great).