Utility is useless without the User by Ashley Lin Ames

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmGm8kphO68

**I am not sure why the video is cut in half. If you click the link above it will direct you to the youtube page. I will be able to download the original version before Friday evening.**

 

“I do not consider pots finished when they emerge from the kiln, but only when they have been christened with their first mouthful.”– Sandy Brown

         Utility is Useless without the User is an interactive pottery performance piece.   Pottery is not intended to be an idle pedestal piece; it is made to be used and enjoyed.  I will have forty 6-ounce vessels that incorporate a bell chamber[1] on display. Participants choose a cup and I fill their cup with water.  After they celebrate the moment, they may take their vessel home or I place the cup in a canvas bag and break the cup.  

           

       I am a child of the eighties brought up in the boom of the nineties and graduated college during the recession.  “The more one can get for less is best” became the motto.  America consumes bubbled-wrapped products from outsourced and often exploited factory workers, not knowing their faces, hands, and way of life.  During my performance, I want people to have chance to put a face and personality to the vessel in their hand and enjoy a one of-a-kind product.  Handmade pottery is about being with people and engaging with them in the material world.   
          
          Destroying any vessel does not mean death but rebirth. The shards will be donated to a community mosaic program.

...And some will make my mosaic urn...obviously.

On a side note:
It is a metaphor for life.  There are moments when one will think, "Wow, I love to blank!" With passion and dedication they strive and work diligently to fulfill their goals but ....it doesn't work out.
Alone in a mental mist their dusk begins. 
...Finding footing in unknown scenery...
They fall.
They tumble.
They break.

At least I did.  

But, you stand. 
You mend.
You walk to the dawn.

And you learn how to live a different life in a new light. 

---

[1] My drinking vessels include a chamber in the foot of the pot that makes a chiming noise when used

"Someday I'm Gonna Die"

I'm going to edit the "Utility is Useless Without the User" performance tomorrow.
Enjoy my lady friend's video.
She's the Bee's Knees.

.Utility is Useless Without the User.

I will be apart of Thursday, October 3rd's Brave New Art World and River North Art Walk.
This performance will take place outside.
Taking it to the Street.
EXCITING.
 

“I do not consider pots finished when they emerge from the kiln, but only when they have been christened with their first mouthful.”– Sandy Brown

         Utility is Useless without the User is an interactive pottery performance piece.   Pottery is not intended to be an idle pedestal piece; it is made to be used and enjoyed.  I will have forty 6-ounce vessels that incorporate a bell chamber[1] on display. Participants choose a cup and I fill their cup with water.  After they celebrate the moment, they may take their vessel home or I place the cup in a canvas bag and break the cup.  

           

       I am a child of the eighties brought up in the boom of the nineties and graduated college during the recession.  “The more one can get for less is best” became the motto.  America consumes bubbled-wrapped products from outsourced and often exploited factory workers, not knowing their faces, hands, and way of life.  During my performance, I want people to have chance to put a face and personality to the vessel in their hand and enjoy a one of-a-kind product.  Handmade pottery is about being with people and engaging with them in the material world.   
          
          Destroying any vessel does not mean death but rebirth. The shards will be donated to a community mosaic program.

...And some will make my mosaic urn...obviously.

On a side note:
It is a metaphor for life.  There are moments when one will think, "Wow, I love to blank!" With passion and dedication they strive and work diligently to fulfill their goals but ....it doesn't work out.
Alone in a mental mist their dusk begins. 
...Finding footing in unknown scenery...
They fall.
They tumble.
They break.

At least I did.  

But, you stand. 
You mend.
You walk to the dawn.

And you learn how to live a different life in a new light. 

---

[1] My drinking vessels include a chamber in the foot of the pot that makes a chiming noise when used.

Photos by Emiley Smith Photography.
http://emileysmith.com

E.T.S.Y. ! spells Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ashleylinpottery

.Crossing the Atlantic.

I am going to France. ..what..!!?? Ya. I know.
I am extremely excited to see the sights, be emerced in parisian culture, eat the food, and be a dumb American that does not know the language. I am too excited.
Plus!! This is Happening..

/http://www.revelations-grandpalais.com/en/

Oh.My.Gosh.

I leave in less than Six Hours. 

I need to pack..

.The SouthWest Winds feel Dirty.

It is gross outside.
But, in my studio, all is well.
And, I always have friends with me.

I cleaned it. Last week.

...Just kidding, I clean twice a week. ...seriously.

 Bowl Bounty.

 My Muses. Mozart and Michelle Moode. One of those M's is a real hard ass and I hear those tunes in my head a good bit. Hint. The M is dead.

(http://www.millionsofpeoplehappy.blogspot.com/)

 Tristan Wright has Etching skills.
 (http://www.tristanwright.wordpress.com/)

 Lady Jessica Tyler's Teeth print. I like her roots. She's a good one.
(http://www.jesstyler.com/)

 Myra K's screen print that I've had for almost eight years! She was one of my two mentors in undergrad.

 My new Alley Cat. Made by my husband.

 My stamp is working well. I really like the look is has. It is really saving me signature time!

 

JD Richey. ..He has incredible skills.. 

   

Me. Basking in the natural light.

.One.In.

I have been enjoying the new studio.
First.Month.
Jitter. Twiddle. Doodle.Dee.Doo.
 

It's like having a new crush.

.One Person. One Pot.

This lil'clip really excites me.

I have to be patient for one more week. !!
Keys will be in hand.
My car full of supplies.
A truck on its way to my new space with many pounds of materials, clay, and a brand new wheel.

.Collaborate.

This past weekend Mortimer and I went to the rolling hills and the heat of Austin, TX. While escaping from the sun in the AMOA, I began to read the TRIBEZA and came across an article on Kreeger Pottery.
I must admit..I did not know who they were speaking of but this name was popping up a lot.
So, I did some googling.
And I am impressed. (for many reasons other than the following..)
This is a dream. A collaboration between many creative individuals in order to make an entity for many to enjoy.
It is a performance of food, laughter, conversation, and drinks.

Austin has great pride in their entrepreneurs and artisans. 
It is nice to see the two overlap in the video posted above.

.Stamp It.

With the help of Socwell, LLC of www.4Clay.com my stamp is made.

"Everything comes at the appointed time." Ancient Chinese Text

!!! Now the Work really Begins.

After two and a half months of online searches, bike adventures, trips around town in the car, negotiating, feeling high, and feeling low I have finally found a studio!

Now the Work really Begins. 

The space Mortimer and I decided upon is in the Ravenswood Corridor!
We will be nestled in a community full of artists, green space, and tasty restaurants. Not to mention the neighborhood is bike friendly, easy access to the Brown El Line, plenty of parking (if I need to drive) and just..awwe..just great!

For the last two months I have not allowed myself to think about ceramic form and function, color schemes, and pattern on pattern schemes, because I just didn't know when or where and how and when..when..when..when..I would be able to work.

Now the Work really Begins.

Back to the pages to sketch out studio lay outs and pottery. !

Now the Work really Begins.

.My Moment with the Goslings and Bunnies.

This morning I enjoyed a bottle of water at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond in Lincoln Park/Lakeview. The pond is less than a mile from my home.  I pass the entrance each day and often enjoy a snack perched on a rock before heading to the loop for a shift at work.

Lately, my days have been full of phone calls about square footage prices and electrical upgrades.

I am fortunate to have these conversations.

I am fortunate to have a spot near my home where I can listen to the birds, watch lil'goslings wobble, and giggle as bunnies hop.

(Video taken about a month ago)

.RickOwens.&.MicheleLamy.

Love.
Create.
Inspire.

.It's time to relax.

Just relax.

I'm going to Canada.

.Baby Money.

..Is the best money 'cause 
it 
is
the uke strummin',
foot pounding,
doo-woop meets urban-western diddie makings
of  Pamela Maurer.
( https://www.facebook.com/BabyMoney4eva?fref=ts)

Lady P is the creative genius behind the Art Installations at the Anthropologie on State Street in Chicago. She is the set designer at The Building Stage. And, obviously she is an incredible singer and songwriter.

Pamela is the cat's pajamas and the bee's knees!

.Color.

 

Color in a life

you seem

fit

and

i'll tell

you 

if 

i 

agree

with it

.

.The Day it Felt Like Spring.

I have been busy. Busier than usual.
More Stressed than usual.

Oh.Pity.Me
Ladida and Diddies, indeed.

I live in a beautiful city called Chicago. My loving husband pulled out a "Flip Video" from his drawer Friday and said "Hey, look at this"! So, I did and decided to video a lil'segment of "happy Lin time".
My hope is to do this once a week, and to place one of my husband's piano pieces as the audio.

.Official.

It is Official.
I am Official.

Ashley Lin Pottery, LLC.

Papers are signed.
The fee is paid.
I am Official.

The IRS just needs to get back to me about about the FEIN.
Then..
I need to sign a lease on a space.
&
BUY..
a kiln,
a wheel,
shelves, 
a table,
dry materials,
a sieve,
damn..
A LOT OF THINGS

THERE ARE A LOT MORE STEPS.
BUT 
I'M AT THE FOOT OF THE STAIRS 
AND 
ALL I NEED TO DO IS MOVE 
UP. 

I COULD NOT HAVE DONE A SINGLE THING

WITHOUT THE LOVE AND SUPPORT 

FROM

MY HUSBAND

 

.Wood.i.Beatrice.

Yes.
Yes.
A million times.
Yes.
Beatrice.i.Wood.

.Life Happens. Quickly.

Oh My Goodness.

I'm excited.
A LLC may be happening.

Ashley Lin Pottery, LLC. 
Chicago, IL.