ARTH 350 Studies in the History of Ceramics: Ceramic Bodies

• Fridays, 11:45 am - 2:30 pm
• Instructor: Dr. Susan Surette

“Ceramic Bodies” explores ceramics around the world and through the ages by mapping multiple intersections of clay/ceramics and “bodies.” At the most basic level, “bodies” will be understood in terms of different kinds of clay that are the starting point of the ceramic object and that, in many cases, inform the possibilities of representations of bodies. At another level we will look at the metaphoric relationship between the clay object and the human body and how this impacts the representation of bodies on vessels and in sculpture. The integral roles played by ceramic vessels, figurines, and sculptures within societies will be considered in relationship to making and consumption within rituals and daily activities. We will look at larger figurative sculpture such as The Nok figures of Nigeria, the Terra Cotta Warriors of China, and the terra cotta life-size religious tableaus of Renaissance Italy. Small figurines such as the so-called “goddess” figures and the much later Meissen porcelain will be discussed in terms of assumptions of gendered production and consumption. Greek red and black wares, Pre-Columbian Peruvian vessels, Italian maiolica and Chinese narrative porcelains will serve as examples of the various ways bodies are represented on vessels. Twentieth century North American productions will complete the course. The course draws upon material culture, employs decolonizing strategies and considers the importance of gender.