Earth & Alchemy Exhibition and Special Events

WELCOME TO THE EARTH & ALCHEMY SITE!!

This site was created by Professor Janna Longacre as an information source for events and information about the exhibition, the artists, as well as technical information about the a variety of ceramic processes used in the exhibition.  If you would like further information about anything related to the Earth & Alchemy Exhibition, Special Events (listed below) or the Mass Art Ceramics Department, please contact Janna Longacre  at jlongacare@massart.edu or call 617 388-5407.

The Mass Art Ceramics Program, part of the Fine Arts 3D Department is located on the 1st and 2nd Floor of the Collins Building, where faculty members Ben Ryterband (bryterband@massart.edu or x7454, Sarah Williams and Janna Longacre  teach a variety of courses,  assisted by Studio Manager Tom Gothers (tgothers@massart.edu or x7455).  You are invited to visit our facilities anytime.

The Earth & Alchemy Exhibition, curated by Lisa Tung with the assistance of Darci Hanna, celebrates contemporary ceramic sculpture and showcases a cross-generational selection of over two dozen influential artists. Exploring a range of ideas encompassing conceptualism, social activism, materiality, and humor, this exhibition presents a survey of approaches to ceramics that often push the boundaries of one of the world’s oldest media. Whether through expansive sculptures, extraterrestrial installations, or fantastical vessels, the artists included in the exhibition have developed novel techniques–such as using ovenbaked backyard clay covered with house paints, layering slip over glaze to create richly textured and encrusted surfaces, or silkscreening digital imagery onto porcelain. Earth & Alchemy examines the depth and range of ceramic practice today–a macrocosm of clay.

EARTH & ALCHEMY ARTISTS:

Yo Akiyama, Susannah Biondo-Gemmell, Syd Carpenter, Sam ChungMark CooperLaurent CrasteBean FinneranKlara KristalovaKate MacDowellWarren MatherNaoko MatsumotoJ.J. McCrackenMegumi NaitohValéria NascimentoKamio OgataElizabeth OrleansAnnabeth RosenTakayuki SakiyamaLinda SwansonPaul SwenbeckAkio TakamoriXavier ToubesEugene Von BruenchenheinJason Walker, Kurt Weiser

SPECIAL EVENTS (Open to Free to the Public):

 Related to the Earth & Alchemy Exhibition, the Mass Art Ceramics Program will be hosting a series of visiting artist events.  Details are listed below.  Please contact Janna Longacre, Program Coordinator at jlongacre@massart.edu or call 617 388-5407  for additional information.  All events are free and open to the public.

EARTH & ALCHEMY OPENING RECEPTION:     

 

VISITING ARTIST LECTURE:

XAVIER TOUBES   Internationally known Ceramic Sculptor and Professor at the School of the Institute of Chicago.  Founder/Artistic Director, European Ceramics Work Centre in The Netherlands.

  • DATE / TIME: Tuesday, September 25, 2012,   2PM-4PM 
  • LOCATION:    Ceramics Department, Collins Building, Room 203

 

VISITING ARTIST LECTURE and PAINTING DEMONSTRATION:

JASON WALKER  Known for his highly imaginative hand-built and slip-cast porcelain sculptures are both technical and creative wonders, Jason will be coming to us directly from the opening of the “40 under 40” Exhibition at the Renwick Gallery, Washington.  He will be presenting his lecture along with a studio demonstration involving his intricate building and painting techniques.

  • DATE / TIME: Tuesday, October 9, 2012,   2PM-5PM
  • LOCATION:  Ceramics Department, Collins Building Room 203

 

PANEL DISCUSSION

Artists Syd Carpenter, Annabeth RosenPaul Swenbeckand Museum of Fine Arts, Boston curator Emily Zilber will participate in a lively discussion about issues in contemporary clay. Moderated by MassArt  Professor Janna Longacre 

  • DATE / TIME:  Wednesday, November 14, 2012,  6PM-8PM
  • LOCATION:    Tower Building Auditorium