Reading 1

Both of the articles have to do with the application of craftsmanship in modern society. “Towards a Standard of Beauty” defends craftsmanship as a means of achieving beauty that is relevant and accessible to society, and furthermore asserts the importance of beauty as a spiritual presence in culture. The writer discusses his establishment of a Japanese folk museum, prompted by his love for and subsequent collection of Japanese crafts. His love for these items stems in part from their importance to his culture. Works of Japanese pottery reflect the Japanese people. They represent traditions, a standard of living of simple folk artists, and the strength of artisan communities, while fine arts are made and enjoyed by a much narrower demographic. The traditional and cultural merit of craft items is strengthened by their relevance in industrialized society; their contrast to mass produced, lifeless machine work made popular by the Industrial Revolution brings the warmth and beauty back into utilitarian ware. While I’m not sure I’d use the word “spirituality” or “religion” to refer to craftsmanship in my own life, I do appreciate this connotation and agree with a lot of Yanagi’s points.  I find myself attracted to craft objects for their warmth, personality, and imperfection as opposed to the cheap, shoddy products of industrial production. 

Yanagi suggests several means of incorporating craft into culture. Museums like his own help to remedy the issue of underrepresentation of crafts by historians, critics, and art audiences. In moving forward with craft, he emphasizes the importance of makers and consumers demanding beauty in their articles. This can be achieved if designers and craftspeople learn to regard each others’ practices and incorporate them into their own work when needed. A combination of machine-made and handmade is important, and as Nancy Selvage points out in “Art Versus Craft: The Issue of Craftsmanship in Twentieth-Century Art,” the deeply entrenched use of the wheel already establishes this combination in pottery. The rest of her article discusses the relevance of craftsmanship in the 20th century, discussing the part it has played in different contemporary art movements. From the Bauhaus to Abstract Expressionism to Russian art movements, ceramics has played an important role in exploring various concepts. She expands upon these contemporary movements and how craftsmanship has served as a medium for conceptualizing abstract ideas, for communicating ideals, and for providing social criticism. As a part of this conversation, ceramics can both expand upon traditions and contribute new ideas to society.