Archive for January, 2011

Comments Off on Clay Ocarina – “Escape” Series

Clay Ocarina – “Escape” Series


2011
01.30

Clay Ocarina - Ceramic Musical InstrumentWhile I am patiently waiting for all of the new Udu’s to dry, I have ventured back to a familiar friend for a new series of ocarinas.  Changes in the way that I construct and assemble the airway tubes made things much more predictable for extending the tonal range of these pinch pot construction ceramic musical instruments.  New to this series is the addition of facial features embossed on the front surface of the ocarina.  These gnome-like faces are figuratively escaping the bonds of the clay but do not reveal themselves in complete detail.  They are a metaphor for the music that also escapes the hollow body of the instrument, reaching the human ear only when someone (musician) is there to force the music to leave.

This limited series is hand built from a small batch of recycled stoneware that I have been hoarding for over a year.  During that period, the aging process produced a very plastic and workable clay perfect for pinch pot construction.  So far, there are 5 of these ocarinas completed and ready for firing.  Ocarina Detail - Sculptural FaceEach has been designed for display as a wall-hung sculpture and each one is a fully functional single octave+ flute that employs typical penny whistle or song flute fingering.  Construction generally takes about 3-4 hours for each, excluding time needed between construction and carving phases to allow the clay partial drying.

With a little luck and a happy reduction firing schedule, the Escape Series will make it into the gallery in about three weeks.

Comments Off on Experimental Ceramic Drums

Experimental Ceramic Drums


2011
01.13

Experimental UduI would love to give someone else credit for the inspiration of this piece.  I looked at so many images of UdusDoumbeks, and Directional Conga drums.  Somehow, this assembled mixture of parts is the result of numerous sketches and several great ideas from other artists.

First of all, the stoneware drum is assembled from 6 wheel-thrown parts.  The upper-most portion is designed to accept a stretched, goat skin head that will be secured just below the lower lip of the top opening.  A ring-hole that references the side hole of traditional Udu drums is one of two outlet holes that come into play when the drum head is played…it could also be played, using this hole, like a Udu.

The lower portion of the drum is a closed bowl resting on a permanent ring stand.  This is probably a no-no for the percussion community, but this piece is intended more for display than actual use and I wanted the vertical display to be the only option.

The bell-shaped piece connects to the upper drum-bowl and is a funcional outlet for sound, much like a directional Conga.  The sculpted face has been pushed/altered from the wheel thrown piece to imply a human element attempting to escape the bonds of the ceramic musical instrument.  That aspect may be emphasized at the glazing/staining stage to relate the bell-horn shape with the trapped face.

To provide interest on what might be a plain back to this instrument, two wheel-thrown rings are attached that might function as strap connectors… I am a bit shaky on that thought at the moment but will wait to get a feel of the overall weight and strength of the piece before determining if these rings will provide a function other than decoration.

Four other experimental clay drums are currently drying in hopes that some of these will be ready in time to be featured in the upcoming Alumni Art Exhibit at Belmont University’s Homecoming next month.