Reading 1 Steve

Paul Greenhalgh, "Discourse and Decoration: The Struggle for Historical Space." Ceramic Millennium. Ed.  Garth Clark. 2006. 163-168

In this chapter Greenhalgh discusses ceramic art and its complicated relationship to art history. He notes that ceramics typically are no longer seen as avant-garde but discusses the problems with this view. I found Greenhalgh’s point about how all movements that were once avant-garde are now taught in school and therefore academic interesting in its simplicity. In a second point, he argues that comparing and judging ceramic art for not being avant-garde is a lost cause because ceramists have rarely tried to participate in associated movements. This makes a lot of sense because the only work that comes to mind is Robert Arneson’s John with Art. Greenhalgh argues that there are core characteristics of ceramics that perpetuate its existence and relevance.

He explains also how it becomes problematics when you start to apply fine art theory to ceramics. He notes that “ceramic theory is to be found in the way that ceramic objects are perceived rather than conceived.” The reason being the interaction between people is especially important and relevant to ceramics.

I found the discussion about how an object over time gains new meaning way beyond the maker’s intentions intriguing because I have thought about this many times. Greenhalgh suggests that this is especially true for ceramic art as it carries many complex iconographies that contribute to conceptual longevity. Greenhalgh ends by saying it’s the responsibility to make the next move developing new ways to define ceramic art history.