Ceramic Lantern
Syria
early 13th century
This is a “innovator” project. I have never put it out there as a student assignment before. Use slabs to create a form at least 7″ in one direction, it does not have to be based on a square or rectangle. Plan and create cut outs to add interest with the addition of light!
Artists Research: Look at the slab built vessels shown on this page. Select one of them and draw the individual template pieces needed to construct the form. How many separate slabs are required? Is another method of construction required to complete the form? Search “Ceramic Slab Lantern” and compare some of the results. Continue researching independently, sketch the forms and ideas that you find that inspire your designs.
Artists Plan: Create at least three sketches of different slab based forms. Show a different solution on each for cutting out the negative spaces. Use a ruler to help you decide the proportions, it should be at least 7 inches in one direction. When you decide on the form you are going to build create a sketch at actual size. Use poster board to create all the template pieces you need to cut out accurate slabs. Do not proceed until you have this step checked by the teacher.
Art Making Skills: Focus on your best stiff slab construction. Work carefully to keep your slabs flat during the cutting, drying and building process. When you cut out openings to create a lantern make sure your form is complete and smooth but not too dry as cutting through the walls will put stress on the connections. Do not cut into the walls any closer than 1/2″ from the corners to preserve the integrity of the connections.
Artists Solve Problems: Stick with it! Work through different possible solutions and try some when your plans don’t work as easily as you thought. Score, slip and reinforce all connections thoroughly. Before you change ideas or projects you must arrange a conference with the teacher.
Artists Reflect: Document your process and completed work in a blog post. Some questions you might address: What was successful about this work? What were some challenges? How would your process, form, time management change if you were building this art work again?
www.metmuseum.org Edo period Lantern
Japan
1850
www.metmuseum.org Vase in Shape of Neolithic Jade Cong
Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279)
12th–13th century
China Not a lantern however the lip and embellishment of this vessel shows how you might incorporated another building method/form with the flat slabs.
www.metmuseum.org
Islamic Lantern
Iran
9th–10th century
Not stiff slab construction, but good example of cut outs!
Student slab construction with stencils and underglazes. An enclosed form but meant to show how you can work with the form in an unexpected way.
Student slab construction with stencils and underglazes. An enclosed form but meant to show how you can work with stiff slabs in an unexpected way.