Ancient Symbolism

Egyptian potters created ceramic vessels for many purposes from the everyday to symbolic of their beliefs. An unusual piece in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum's collection is this footed bowl which is believed to be from the Predynastic Period.  At first glance it may appear to be a bit of folly, however, it has much more symbolism than you may think.

A small polished red ware bowl has feet supporting it. You will notice that the bowl tips forward as if to spill it's contents. The clay is from the Nile River and is a smooth bowl with slip and a polished surface that gives a soft sheen to the surface. It is believed that the vessel symbolizes a three-dimensional hieroglyph for the word w'b, which means pure or clean. he bowl of the vessel tips forward as if to spill it's contents so that water that has been purified could be spilled onto the ground. 

Bowls like this have been excavated from ancient cemeteries and it is believed to be an offering of clear water for the dead.  

--Debra Wallace

A Thanksgiving Container

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!

I'm sitting here drinking hot chocolate. The trees are gorgeous yellow. and orange. So, it must be fall, right? Actually I think this is what is called Indian Summer. Anyway I was thinking about Thanksgiving and trying to think of a vessel which is a symbol of the Thanksgiving holiday. Besides the gravy boat all I could come up with is the cornucopia.

We probably all made paper cornucopias in grade school but the horn shaped container is much more ancient then that. According to Greek mythology, Baby Zeus was being suckled by the goat Amalthaea. Now Zeus got to rough-housing and broke off one of Amalthaea's horns. Did Zeus get sent to time-out? Nooo, it turns out the horn dispensed endless supplies of food, drink and riches. It was a horn of plenty.

Over time the horn shape signified prosperity. In the U.S. the cornucopia became a symbol of the Thanksgiving holiday a day of feasting. Traditionally, cornucopias were made of wicker and filled with fruit and flowers.

Speaking of food here is a link to a recipe for Roasted Vegetable Cornucopias www.vegetariantimes.com.

And here are two other artistic interpretations of cornucopias.

Picasso's Plates and Vessels

It was in 1946 that the 63 year old Pablo Picasso began working with clay. He formed a relationship with the Modoure pottery in Vallauris in the south of France. There his ceramics were produced in editions much like limited edition prints. 

Picasso considered his plates and vessels a form of canvas, a sculpture and a painting in one. At first he decorated clay pieces formed by the Modoure potters but later he designed his own forms. 

One of his favorite forms was the female figure. Influenced by Mediterranean mythological and classical themes he became famous for zoomorphic pots of owls, fish, birds, and bulls. To learn more and see examples of Picasso's ceramics follow this link to 
http://www.a-r-t.com/picassomr/

--Lynn Conaway

New Zealand creation story inspires lighted vessels

David Trubridge is an industrial designer in New Zealand. 

During Milan Design Week in 2008, Trubridge displayed this lighting installation he called "The Three Baskets of Knowledge." The foundation of the installation were three baskets shaped like hammocks, each made of a different material. The play of light through them created an illusion of transparency.

Like many artists, Trubridge had a narrative in mind for his design. He used a mythological story from the New Zealand Maori about the demigod Tane. Tane was sent into the heavens to receive knowledge mankind needed to live on Earth. After receiving this knowledge in three kete (a Maori word for basket), Tane returned to the earth and created mankind.

The three baskets, as interpreted by Trubridge, included:

Kete Aronui, made of bamboo, relates to the body. It contains knowledge of the earth and the natural world, which is for all.

Kete Tuauri, made of aluminum,  relates to the mind. It contains rational knowledge, which we keep for ourselves.

Kete Tuaate, made of plastic, relates to the spirit. It contains knowledge of the spiritual world, which we give out for others.

--Carole Gary Staples

Here's an amazing harvest of organic art

REMINDER: Send your entry for the show's logo contest to vesselsshow@gmail.com by midnight, Sunday, Nov. 4. See official rules in a previous blog.
There's plenty of variation in mediums to inspire aspiring artists who are interested in answering the call for our Vessels show -- which we'll announce soon. I recently stumbled upon some amazing work of art on -- of all things --gourds. Check out these images from the "Last and Final Gourd Show" at the 15th Annual Gourd Art Festival in 2011. 

By Marilyn Sunderland

By Christine Chan

By Pamala Redhawk

By Daniel Montano

By Dianne Connelly

--Carole Gary Staples

Logo Contest Deadline Now Nov. 4

We have decided to extend our deadline for the logo contest to Nov. 4 in order to give interested artists more time to develop their ideas. The details are below. Please e-mail us if you have any questions.
 
Logo Contest: The Kennedy Heights Arts Center is hosting a contest for the design of a logo to represent “Vessels: All the Eyes Can Hold,” an upcoming art show. The logo selected will be used in media promoting the show. The winner of the contest will be announced in promotional materials online and in print, will receive credit for the design on our “Save-the-Date” card and at the show, and will receive and a $100 gift card.

About the show: Vessels: All the Eyes Can Hold will be open to artwork from a wide variety of genres – ceramics, fiber, wood, basketry and other media. Any definition of the word Vessel will be accepted. Please consider the potential uses of the logo in the flexibility of your design: It may be used as a small, stand-alone icon online or in print. It may be used on a 4X6 postcard or a 3-foot by 8-foot banner with additional information and/or artwork relating to the show. (i.e., Vessels: All the Eyes Can Hold, Aug. 17-Sept. 28, 2013, Kennedy Heights Arts Center, 6546 Montgomery Road Cincinnati, OH 45213)  

Rules: The winning logo must incorporate the name of the show Vessels: All the Eyes Can Hold. (Punctuation need not be literal; it can vary depending on the design.) By entering the contest, applicants agree to give the Kennedy Heights Arts Center all the rights to the logo design; that the logo may be used for marketing purposes promoting Vessels: All the Eyes Can Hold and/or the Kennedy Heights Arts Center; that the logo may be used on the Kennedy Heights Arts Center web site, the online Vessels blog and other public web sites; and that the logo may be used in print marketing materials promoting Vessels: All the Eyes Can Hold and/or the Kennedy Heights Arts Center. The winner agrees to supply The Kennedy Heights Arts Center with a high-resolution version of the design, and/or a vector.

Deadline: Midnight, Sunday, Nov. 4

Apply: Send a digital copy of your logo with contact information to vesselsshow@gmail.com  by midnight, Sunday, Oct. 21. Please use the words “Vessels Logo Contest” in the subject line of your e-mail.

Blue Ash college sculpture a vessel of enlightnment

REMINDER: Send your entry for the show's logo contest to vesselsshow@gmail.com by midnight, Sunday, Oct. 21. See official rules in Blog Archive in the right column.

An amazing aluminum sculpture dominates the quad of the University of Cincinnati Raymond Walters Campus in Blue Ash. It is called “Anatomy Vessel.” The work of artist Eric Nordgulen, associate professor of sculpture at Indiana University's Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis, the structure is part of a series of public sculptures.

Anatomy Vessel is an aluminum tower, open on two sides so that the viewer can step inside and be centered in the airy, open artwork. Fabricated semicircular ribs form the architectural underpinning for what appear to be bony tree limbs, twisting and stretching skyward. Two open circles of aluminum atop the structure provide a focus for light onto the base.  Conversely, peering up from ground level, one feels a sense of enthusiasm that comes from being centered while peering into the unknown.

Trees often symbolize wisdom, tolerance, creativity and the cycle of life.  I’m not sure what Nordgulen’s intent was, but it seems clear that placing this structure on the campus of a college makes it a vessel of enlightenment.  The ribs suggest the human anatomy. The tree limbs suggest arms and hands reaching for something. The light suggests revelation. Anatomy Vessel seems to me to be a metaphor for seeking  knowledge. As the limbs twist and turn in different directions, ascending toward the light, the seeker yearns for knowledge.  Light touches each limb, revealing knowledge. One outstretched finger touches math. Another finds inspiration in literature. Another aspires to understand science.    

I’d be interested in hearing what your interpretation of Nordgulen’s Anatomy Vessel is. What do you think of the use of aluminum as the medium? Have you seen trees representing vessels in other artists work? How might this inspire your own work? There’s a comment field below. Please share your thoughts with us. 

Learn more about Eric Nordgulen here. http://www.triposo.com/poi/Anatomy_Vessels_28Saplings29

--Nancy Berlier