This week was a week completely dedicated to art! To start things off Johannes, Yvonne and I went to the Dairy Barn Exhibition, going to galleries is always a good way to get your mind started thinking about exhibitions and, to begin exploring new ideas for a body of work while abroad. For me, having helped set up the show, then going to it a few more times for the opening, and artists reception, it was refreshing to be able to see it again almost with new eyes. In the past few weeks since we set it up, we have been in Louisville, and seen a lot of art, lectures and gallery hopped, as well as seeing it with "the Germans" who were seeing it for the first time, helped me see it with a more refreshed eye. The first thing I thought about when Johannes started making was the artist Chris Gustin, he makes large (3ft-4ft) wheel-thrown, then wood fired vessels; Johannes was making large (3ft-4ft) thrown and stacked forms, that he was assembling. I couldn't wait to take him to see Chris Gustins work; one of the first pieces you see when entering the gallery happens to be a Chris Gustin piece, it was great to see his eyes light up with excitement over his pieces. Johannes inspected the piece-taking note of each detail, admiring the pieces grace, and delicacy, though it is such a large piece.
Seeing what Yvonne was making I wasn't quite sure what she was going to like in the gallery, I couldn't wait to see what she was going to choose as her favorite piece. I was only partly surprised when she choose Yoshiro Ikeda, (she makes big, bulky, functional forms, that are thick, hand build, and have heavy crawl, glazes on them.) I was only partly surprised because she has been making things here that are of a more delicate nature, but using thick walls and slips similar to Yoshiro pieces. I was surprised that she had chosen one of the functional items in the room, until later she divulged to me that she had made a series of large teapots at home, that’s obviously when the clarity to her choice came through.

My choices however have changed, as to my favorite piece, originally I liked the delicate, Jeannie Quinn piece, but I have started to prefer the Todd Shanafelt piece more and more each time I see it. I find his, glazes interesting in their necessity to be investigated further, and his forms to remind me of childhood fantasies, of far off places. Being in the gallery, forces me back to reality and starts to make me nervous for the upcoming weeks with my own exhibition to put together.
When it comes to the next few weeks, Tim Berg has come up with quite the rigorous schedule for us all. With all of the connections, being made between our two countries (Germany and America,) we might as well make a few more, so he has planned for our class to have an exhibition in Columbus at the Silver Paint Gallery, with The Ohio State University ceramics department. I think that it will be quite nice to show in Columbus with the other BFA students, the conversations may be refreshing to have coming from another fine art department. Tim is also doing a very good job of questioning every move that we all make. Breaking down every element of our work and causing us to question are ways of making and why. It is good to have a different perspective to stir things up, but is also starting to make me nervous having all things questioned. I think that all of our works will be stronger from the questions. I don’t help with the clarity or the light at the end of the tunnel. With only a few weeks away, the questions are great to be raised, but doesn’t help with the tailspin of an exhibition.
I am really excited to show with a different group of students, I think that the potential for making great connections with other ceramic artists of my age group will be a price less experience.