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Thread: EXPRESSING CREATIVITY: clay, fiber, metal, ink, etc.

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    EXPRESSING CREATIVITY: clay, fiber, metal, ink, etc.

    He who works with his hands is a laborer.
    He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
    He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.

    -Saint Francis of Assisi

    Greetings!

    The materials we have listed are typically considered craft materials and this is a partial list, so feel free to expand.

    There has been an ongoing battle of art vs. craft for eons. It is true that a product can be well constructed (crafted) but not fit the category of art as it has no depth of feeling or character other than its functionality. Conversely, I believe that for something to meet the standard of art it must be first well-made technically! When I was in graduate school one professor told his painting students that in order to be a fine abstract/non representational painter, they must first learn how to paint realistically. So, in my mind a finely made beautiful, functional object is art. And a poorly made painting is not.

    Japan is the leader in the world for their respect and appreciation of their artisans. They have raised awareness of the depth of beauty and nobility of a simple tea bowl, a stroke of brush in calligraphy, lacquerware arts and on. They have elevated their finest contemporary artists to the status of National Living Treasures. This short film made by the British Museum defines this designation.


    Please share with us your own work or a piece of art that you find especially beautiful. Functional, nonfunctional works made with traditional materials including ceramics, weaving, knitting, needlework, sewing, metal work, calligraphy, basketmaking etc. All are invited to share.

    Here’s Meitou

    Hello everyone, during this busy Ango period we are keeping it simple and bearing in mind that many of you will be occupied with studying, there is a choice – either to post images of your own hand crafted work or an image of something you find particularly beautiful and / or moving.

    We only ask that you bear in mind that we are talking about working with our hands – but this has a vast scope and so many possibilities, from yarns of all kinds, through metals, paper, board, clay, fimo and das type products, upcycled objects, household items. You could also share your calligraphy, flower arrangements etc.

    If you chose to share an image of an object that you particularly like, and again this could be a sculpture, a tea bowl, an ikebana arrangement, a statue, something made of fabric or yarn, a piece of calligraphy, any kind of structure that says something to you, please say something to us about why you have chosen it.

    Some of you who are taking Jukai and sewing a Rakusu may even chose to talk about creativity in relation to your Rakusu, or post images of Rakusu/Kesa or other crafted Zen related items that you find particularly interesting and inspiring.

    Have fun!

    Gassho

    Anne and Meitou

    we both sat today
    Last edited by Cooperix; 09-12-2020 at 02:18 PM.

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