F25 10

This week I trimmed all of the cylinders I threw last week. I trimmed them on the drier side of leatherhard and put them into a wet box to soften slightly for dissection and reattachment. I want to see how much flexibility I can regain by rehydrating the clay without making it too soft to handle.

I definitely feel rusty with trimming—it took a crazy amount of time to finish each teacup—but I have around six or seven ready to be cut, edges softened, and reattached. The repetition felt grounding, though a little frustrating at times. I kept catching myself over-trimming or second-guessing the curve of each form, but I think that’s part of rebuilding muscle memory.

In Campana’s work, the cuts are geometric and I think it would be interesting to try to recreate. I’m more so interested in the dissection process and what it means to me rather than upholding an aesthetic design. The process almost feels ritualistic— taking a whole piece apart, understanding its pieces, and rejoining them. I think this is a nice play from my undergrad years where I explored nonfunctional teacups and kneeling cushions.

I forgor to take progress pictures in the studio but this was essentially me this week in the studio.