East Tennessee State University Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works 5-2004 Thematic Manifestations: an Aesthetic Journey. Jeff Kise East Tennessee State University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd Part of the Art and Design Commons Recommended Citation Kise, Jeff, "Thematic Manifestations: an Aesthetic Journey." (2004). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 877. https://dc.etsu.edu/ etd/877 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Thematic Manifestations: an Aesthetic Journey ______________________ A thesis presented to the faculty of the Department of Art and Design East Tennessee State University ______________________ In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art ______________________ by Jeff Kise May 2004 _____________________ Don Davis, Chair Anita DeAngelis Catherine Murray Keywords: Ceramics, Simplicity, Aesthetics, Saggar Firing, Flash Firing, Naked Raku ABSTRACT Thematic Manifestations: An Aesthetic Journey by Jeff Kise This thesis, in support of the Master of Fine Arts exhibition entitled Thematic Manifestations at East Tennessee State University, Carroll Reece Museum, Johnson City, Tennessee, March 2-12, 2004, describes in detail three aesthetic themes that are manifested in the work exhibited. The artist discusses his journey in establishing a “criterion of aesthetic values” whereby his work is conceptually developed. The three themes – The Paradox of Simplicity, The Decorative Power of Nature, and The Beauty of the Irregular – are founded on historical and contemporary influences and are further described in practical application of form and process.