LatticeStructures™
-Back to Crystalline Events Page-
In 2004, Steven & Susan Hill asked me to curate a crystalline show at Red Star Studios Ceramic Center. After speaking with ceramic artists such as Derek Clarkson and John Tilton, I felt compelled to look beyond the scope of an exhibit.
I spent the next year organizing an event which explored and honored both the contemporary and traditional sides of crystalline glazed ceramics.
From the early planning stages, I saw a need to focus not only on the artists, but also on the ceramics industry as well. First, because the necessary present-day relationship between the private ceramic artist and the ceramic businesses providing for them is undeniable. And when researching the history behind crystalline glazes, it became clear that the the studio artist’s involvement was a relatively new one. The major groundwork in crystallines was developed in high-end commercial settings (e.g., Sèvres Porcelain Factory and Royal Doulton) during the early 19th century.
As such, LatticeStructures™ evolved around an exhibit and a symposium to include the educational/ industrial level as well as the artistic.
As an International event, more than 20 exhibitors were featured from Australia, Canada, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Exhibit was held at the Red Star Studio’s Gallery, opening on Friday, Sept. 2, and showing through Oct 15, 2005. Curating was done in cooperation with Red Star Gallery Director Laura DeAngelis, and assisted by Monika Lin (Kansas City Art Institute) and Jason Stueber (Nelson Atkins Museum of Art).
Artists were selected from the living pioneers and current pathfinders within crystalline glaze research and art, with a focus on those that bring diversity to this genre of ceramics.
The symposium was created through communication with several of the exhibiting artists along with sponsorship from technical leaders in the ceramic art industry. Those sponsors with something specific to offer crystalline ceramists were selected, agreeing that they would also provide informative support as presenters. Laguna’s Jim Kassebaum & Jon Pacini and Geil spokesman, Kris Friedrich were the first to help get this part of the event going.
When everything was set, the LatticeStructures™ symposium included individual presentations from 14 artists, teachers, technicians, and researchers presenting to an audience of over one hundred people.
The symposium occurred Sept. 3-4 (following the opening night exhibit) at the
Screenland Special Event Facility, located only a few blocks from Red Star Studios.
The facility offered the audience tiered rows of reclining seats, while giving presenters access to a 26ft. view screen for digital video, image, and PowerPoint projection.
Attendees had access to experience and insight on history, aesthetics, and personal process from pacesetters in ceramics. The result was an extensive, yet personal setting for individuals to communicate through presentation and personal interaction.
The LatticeStructures™ gathering spurred friendships that reconnected at future events, including:
The Peter Ilsley Workshop (2006) -Hosted by Kris Friedrich
International Artist Workshop - (Korean Ceramics Biennale 2007)
Krystallos 2007 -Hosted by Bill & Jane Campbell
… Currently, a selection of North American artists who participated in LatticeStructures™, have been invited to exhibit at the “Abenteuer Kristallglasur” touring exhibit (Germany - March, 2008).
__________________________________________________
-LatticeStructures™ Links-
LatticeStructures™ (2005) Official Site
“Lattice Structures” CM Article link 1 (better resolution than the one below)
Ceramics Monthly Article Link 2: “Lattice Structures”
Clay Times Article: “Crystalline Glaze Workshops 2005-2006″
Ceramics Monthly “Kris Friedrich Crystalline Glaze Workshop”