Clay consistency in experimental art practices: instant dialogues with ceramic material

Year 2024, Volume: 5 Issue: 4, 219 - 230, 30.12.2024

Sinan Avinal

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14588860

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to examine the use of ceramic material as a means of expression in experimental art practices, especially in process-based production approach, and to explain how the consistency differences of ceramic clay can be handled as the speech act of the material through personal practices. In line with this aim, a literature review was conducted to understand the interactions between ceramic material and experimental art. Although experimental art attracts considerable attention today, it has been determined that there is a lack of analyses in the literature on its relationship with ceramics and the role of ceramic clay in experimental art. In this context, it is aimed to contribute to the literature by explaining how ceramic clay facilitates the dynamic dialogue between the artist and the material with its unique properties and formal transformations. Within the scope of the research, qualitative research method was used and the artworks of Gabriel Orozco, Funda Susamoğlu, Ömer Emre Yavuz and Héctor Zamora, who produced works suitable for the subject, were analysed. These analyses reveal how the texture, plasticity and the reactions of ceramic clay to physical interventions contribute to the formation of aesthetic results. Furthermore, the contribution of randomness, a fundamental element of experimental practice, to form through the interaction between artist and material is emphasised. In addition, how the consistency of ceramic clay can be handled in experimental art as the speech act of the material is explained through examples of personal works. As a result of the research, it is stated that ceramics is used not only as a tool in artistic practices, but also as an intellectual and sensory language. It is emphasised that ceramics plays an active role in the creative process and offers new possibilities to the artist. In doing so, it is emphasised that the understanding of ceramics in contemporary art should change and at the same time, material-based dialogue should be preferred more as a method to reach innovative artistic expressions.

Keywords

experimental art, experience, process, ceramic art, material, viscosity, consistency

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval is not required for this research.

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