2 C eramics Monthly Ceramics Monthly Volume 30, Number 4 April 1982 Features Louise and Satoshi Doucet-Saito by D. G. Jones....................................................... 28 Dolores Hidalgo: City of Tiles by Maggie Creshkoff............................................. 32 Ronna Neuenschwander by Cheryl R. McLean............................................ 36 A Wood-Fired Raku Kiln by Harriet Brisson ................................................ 38 Steve Reynolds Exhibition....................................... 41 American Clay by Tom Haulk................................ 42 Softbricks and Salt Glazing by Anne Shattuck................................................. 43 Ohio Fairs .................................................................. 48 New Works in Clay at Syracuse by Margie Hughto................................................ 50 Summer Workshops 1982 ........................................ 57 Cone 5-6 Reduction Glazes by Paul Woolery................................................... 64 Departments Letters to the Editor ................................................. 7 Where to Show .......................................................... 11 Questions ................................................................... 15 Suggestions ................................................................ 17 Itinerary ..................................................................... 19 Comment: Seduction by Machine by Jack Troy......................................................... 25 News & Retrospect ................................................... 69 Index to Advertisers................................................. 96 Cover Summer workshops have been a tradition among ceramists, providing an opportunity for gathering together within the context of the medium to share ideas and friendships. From the newest pot­ ter learning to throw on the wheel to earthworks and industrial collaborations like that of Tony Hepburn (shown with his earthenware “Omaha Gate”) at the Omaha Brickworks in Nebraska, workshops have been part of the glue that holds together the ceramist’s substantial network of com­ munication and community. For information con­ cerning such events this summer, turn to the listings beginning on page 57. Photo: courtesy of Ree Schonlau. April 1982 3 4 Ceramics Monthly Ceramics Monthly Magazine William C. Hunt..................................... Editor Barbara Tipton ..................... Associate Editor Robert L. Creager.... ....................Art Director Ruth C. Butler.............................. Copy Editor Mary Rushley............. Circulation Manager Connie Belcher ........... Advertising Manager Spencer L. Davis ..............................Publisher Editorial, Advertising and Circulation Offices 1609 Northwest Boulevard, Box 12448, Columbus, Ohio 43212 (614) 488-8236 West Coast Advertising Representative: Joseph Mervish Associates, 12512 Chandler Boulevard, No. 202, North Hollywood, California 91607 (213) 877-7556 Ceramics Monthly (ISSN 009-0328) is published monthly except July and August by Professional Pub­ lications, Inc. — S.L. Davis, Pres.; P.S. Emery, Sec.: 1609 Northwest Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43212. Subscription Rates: One year $14, two years $26, three years $35. Add $3 per year for subscriptions outside the U.S.A. Change of Address: Please give us four weeks ad­ vance notice. Send both the magazine wrapper label and your new address to Ceramics Monthly, Circulation Office, Box 12448, Columbus, Ohio 43212. Contributors: Manuscripts, photographs, color sepa­ rations, color transparencies (including 35mm slides), graphic illustrations and news releases dealing with ceramic art are welcome and will be considered for publication. A booklet describing procedures for the preparation and submission of a manuscript is avail­ able upon request. Send manuscripts and correspon­ dence about them to The Editor, Ceramics Monthly, Box 12448, Columbus, Ohio 43212. Indexing: Articles in each issue of Ceramics Monthly are indexed in Art Index. A 20-year subject index (1953-1972) covering Ceramics Monthly feature arti­ cles, Suggestions and Questions columns is available for $1.50, postpaid from the Ceramics Monthly Book Department, Box 12448, Columbus, Ohio 43212. Additionally, each year’s articles are indexed in the December issue. Copies and Reprints: Microfiche, 16mm and 35mm microfilm copies, and xerographic reprints are avail­ able to subscribers from University Microfilms, 300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106. Copies in microfiche are also available from Bell & Howell, Mi­ cro Photo Division, Old Mansfield Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691. Back Issues: Back issues, when available, are $3.00 each, postpaid. Write for a list. Postmaster: Please send address changes to Ceramics Monthly, Box 12448, Columbus, Ohio 43212. Copyright © 1982 Professional Publications, Inc. All rights reserved April 1982 5 6 Ceramics Monthly Letters Towing the Line pots with high art, then perhaps a more “Censored Clay” (in the February issue) elevating base could be substituted (below illustrated the inescapable political aspect right). But if nobody wants a used statue of art beyond the classroom. Having left of Mayor Moscone, then perhaps the the sanctuary of radical academia and en­ artist could reuse it in a way that might tered the conservative governmental art advance his career in political circles world, Robert Arneson’s naivete reveals (below left). These composites cut and itself. Conservative art immortalizes those reassembled from Ceramics Monthly repre­ who pay to be immortalized, not those who sent only preliminary sketches and un- underline a mayor’s mortality. I abhor the stifling of any artist’s expression, but if one accepts the patronage of a political group, one must also tow that patron’s political line. Mark Anderson Lambertville, N.J. Stinging Reality Regarding Robert Arneson’s work hon­ oring George Moscone: Poor taste? Per­ haps. However, Arneson makes a strong social comment, reflecting—for good or bad—his perception of a violent culture. The work itself may not be in poor taste, while the society it mirrors may well be. Reality tends to sting just a little bit when we get a strong enough dose. Michael E. Wright Lynd, Minn. And a Solution In regard to the controversy concerning Robert Arneson’s sculpture of San Fran­ cisco’s assassinated mayor George Moscone, I am amazed at how little creativity has been shown by the San Francisco Art Com­ mission and by the artist himself when confronted with this problem, which stems mostly from taking the whole project much too seriously. Why, any potter could come up with a new base for the Moscone sculp- doubtedly there could be even more useful variations if all concerned extended their creative thinking a bit. Name withheld by request Recommended Reading Howard Becker’s Comment (“Arts and Crafts”) in the January issue was abso­ lutely outstanding. Nowhere have I seen this crucial issue analyzed with anything approaching his insight. He examines all facets with amazing thoroughness and with an impartial approach. As a potter, I kept thinking “right on” to each point he made, and thought of example after example from my own expe­ riences. I recommend this article be required reading for faculty and students in all college art departments. Henry Harmeling Jr. Beverly, Mass.} Gold Dangers Noted I was shocked to read the answer to the ture, and Robert can simply write Ken question about liquid-gold china paint in Ferguson at Kansas City Art Institute for the February CM. The article quoted is a a nifty one like this (above). relic of 1898, when toxicology was in its If, on the other hand, the artist and the infancy. The recipe belongs in a museum commission are concerned about mixing Continued April 1982 7 8 Ceramics Monthly and athletes, will always be taken lightly from time to time. Generally it is well Letters and not understood for the work, discipline balanced. I don’t object to seeing what the along with the “Mad Hatter,” who ac­ and energy it takes to keep going. avant-garde are doing, so long as it is quired his occupational disease due to mer­ Barb A’Hern shorn of self-justifying jargon. Encouraging cury poisoning. A relevant answer would Anoka, Minn. a self-help study of the past is more impor­ have been, “Buy the gold luster from a tant than mutual back-scratching and ego- precious metal company such as Engelhard A most enlightening Comment in Febru­ tripping, clothed in a welter of obscure in New Jersey and leave the formulation to ary’s issue. We all need comic relief from prose. experts.” But if the subscriber must do time to time. John Gunn everything, at least mention the need for a Deanna Kostyshyn Chichester, Sussex, G.B. chemical fume hood and the proper han­ Verona, N.J. dling of the aqua regia (nitric-hydrochloric I often am both offended and amused acid mixture) liquid mercury-mercury saltSubscribers’ Comments by the holy tone of some of CM’s authors’ (vapor pressure 1mm at room tempera­ The December cover is simply obscene. pronouncements. Clay is not God but a ture), and the other toxic materials. Am I to aspire to this garbage? Even the dependable substance for the workaday This formulation should not be tried by “artist’s” description is inane and boring. world (such as making sparkplugs); for the potter who lacks knowledge of chem­ Please show fine, fine work as in the hobbyists, craftsmen, artists and workmen istry and the safe handling of highly toxic December Portfolio; don’t throw trash at (such as