Reading 1

            Both of the readings discussed the debate of art versus craft.  To me, art and craft are not black and white.  I believe a lot of things, including ceramics, can fall under the category of both. 

            In “Towards a Standard”, by Soetsu Yanagi, there was a lot of emphasis on the importance of the quality of handmade objects.   Also, the creation and appreciation for usable things that are well made, functional, and also decadent and beautiful.  As a ceramic artist, I think about this a lot.  Not everything I create or other potters create is functional. Now days, the discipline is so wide in range, anyone can walk into our studio and see that.  I think what I connected with most in this reading is the idea that as our world is becoming more and more mechanical; we start to lose appreciation for the handmade and beautiful everyday functional objects. 

            In Nancy Selvage’s writing, she pointed out that even while crafting a functional piece of pottery, the person behind the potter’s wheel is faced with many aesthetic decisions. This idea also connects back to the concept of handmade.  Anything that is handmade leaves the mark of the creator.  I believe the most important thing to remember is that the artist or crafter is reflected in every handmade object.