PLEASE ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF,

I’M A MAN OF CLAY AND GLAZE

PUSHED MUD AROUND FOR SEVENTY YEARS

OR TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DAYS.

Robin Hopper is a man of many parts, mostly worn out, rusty or dysfunctional, due to a lifetime of excesses! He started working with clay at the age of three and is still doing it over 70 years later. His lengthy, peripatetic career as a mudpusher has included side trips into working as a Professional Actor, Stage Designer, Property Maker, Stage Manager, Stage Carpenter, Grocer, Greengrocer, Jazz Musician, Teapot, Wine and Beer-Bottle, Trumpet, Trombone and Bugle Player, European Travel Guide, Founder of Several Clay/Art/Craft Organizations, Alchemist, Geologist, Primatologist, Linguist, Ornithologist, Botanist, Ceramic Historian, Educator, Author, Garden Designer, Lecturer on Japanese Garden Design, Laborer and Star of Stage, Screen and Potter’s Wheel!

Monday, June 4, 2012

THE PHILOSOPHER'S TEE-SHIRT!

Monday, 4th June 2012


THE THE SOCRATIC METHOD OF TEACHING

When I came from England to CANADA in 1968 to teach for the TORONTO BOARD of EDUCATION, I was obliged to take two summers of Pedagogical Studies or Teacher Training. I was a specialist art teacher  in Ceramics but I had to learn how to teach. The teaching method was Socratic, after the Greek Teacher and Philosopher named SOCRATES. His method was primarily  teaching by asking questions.  As far as I'm concerned, this is the most natural teaching approach. You need to have the questions lined up in order to get the most pertinent answers.


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"ATMOSPHERICALLY CHALLENGED" is a syndrome for those ceramic artists and potters who think they either have to be electric fired or gas fired and yearn for years to become whatever they are not.


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In 1981,  I worked on a great video for the Canadian Broadcasting Company, one of a of a series titled "The Hand and Eye Series". The program about Ceramics had the title "GLORIOUS MUD". It had a number of internationally recognized artists included, such as Michael Cardew, Michael Casson, Shimaoka Tatsuso, Viola Frey,  Enid Legros, Walter Dexter, The Martin Brothers, several collectors including Garth Clark. I was the On Camera Host and also did some demonstrating and further discussion. Michael Cardew, a good friend and great ceramic philosopher, was 80 years old at the time. He had the most wonderful face, lined like a very busy railroad track series. At one point, Michael is working on a kick wheel, throwing a large bowl that appeared to be clearly out of control. He looks straight into the camera lens, screws up his multi-lineal face into the most amazing mask and states "IT WOBBLES ABOUT A BIT, BUT IT WILL BE ALRIGHT!" The next shot is of the huge bowl, glazed, fired and finished in his signature style. It sure was "ALRIGHT." I decided to steal Michael's quote to validate looseness but strength and freedom in the act of throwing. Unfortunately, Michael died three months after the filming took place. The film is dedicated to Michael. Although the film is 30 years old it ranks as one of the best in films about clay.  Here's to you Michael!


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NEWSFLASH


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5 comments:

  1. CyndiJune 5, 2012 at 10:24 PM

    Funny, you talk about wobbly pots. I had a senior group watching me throw off the hump this past week. A woman says "but your pot is wobbling." I told her, "It's ok. I can fix it and you know I am not a perfect human, so not a perfect pot."

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  2. CyndiJune 5, 2012 at 10:24 PM

    Can I get a copy of the video that you talk about with Michael Cardew?

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    Replies
    1. JujuJune 7, 2012 at 4:23 AM

      Yes. Where can one find a copy of this video?
      Vinod

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  3. smartcatJune 6, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    Again great tees. The last one best describes me since I have become a woman of a certain age.

    I saw Glorious Mud many years ago. Would love to have access to a copy.

    Hope all is well with you and yours.

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  4. DarleneJune 6, 2012 at 1:36 PM

    It wobbles a bit but it will be all right - what a terrific quote! Could pertain to much about life in general! Thanks Robin - I will remember that one!

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