Paul Greenhalgh, "Discourse and Decoration: The Struggle for Historical Space." Ceramic Millennium. Ed. Garth Clark. 2006. 163-168
Where does ceramics stand within the world of art history when compared with the other arts? Within "The Struggle for Historic Space" Greenhalgh discusses the historical implications within the classification of ceramics. As he mentioned in the article historic art has been classified as avant-garde, or experimental/innovative, and that ceramics has lacked this trait in the eyes of most historians. Fortunately Greenhalgh explains that ceramic art is on an entirely different level when compared with other fine art. A piece of ceramic art may not change the world immediately but in no means does that make it unimportant historically. Yet quite the opposite, while the work out lasts its creator alone, ceramic art exists on an entirely diferent timeline. This idea makes it hard to classify ceramics as artifacts, history, or even art but should this hold back the classification of ceramic art or help it? Ceramics has become so imbedded within cultural life it holds duel meanings/purposes further adding to the confession on how to classify ceramic art. Much like Greenhalgh I agree and see the confusion surrounding ceramics and agree that this miscommunication in turn is far more beneficial to the classification pottery. Not only can a pice of pottery hold functional value and aesthetic beauty, it hold strong cultural ties not only to the maker but entire civilizations within that time period. I find the battle between pottery and art will always get in a potters way, but they should embrace the duality of the medium and embrace the long term effects on a cultural level.
I think the idea that "A piece of ceramic art may not change the world immediately but in no means does that make it unimportant historically" is an important and interesting one because of, like you said, the timeline on which ceramic art exists. Ceramic art holds meaning in its present and future, and the maker cannot say just how much meaning is held. I agree that we should not only give ceramics the respect it deserves in our time, but also recognize the meaning it may have for future generations of thinkers and artists alike.
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