Pottery 1 Form and Function in your Cultural Combo Vessels

HOMEWORK if you did not complete in class Due Tuesday 9-28-10 at the beginning of class

Form refers to the shape of an object.
Function refers to the use of an object.

Form and Function refers to the relationship between the shape of the container and what it is used for. In functional cermaics what a container is used for determines it’s shape. The form is determined by the function. For example, a coffee mug has a shape that fits into a person’s hand easily, has thick walls to keep the heat in the coffee and has a lip that makes drinking hot liquid easy and spill-free. The form of the projects that you will be creating will be determined by how you plan to use your pottery.

In your sketchbook or binder answer the following questions :

Look at the pottery images on your table and to the right. Choose 3 pieces of pottery and describe the function for which you think they have been designed.

1. Explain your thinking for each piece - what about the pottery makes you think it is designed for a specific use?
2. Describe what you could do to each piece to change the function dramatically
3. Sometimes when functional potters create their artwork, they treat their pottery almost as if it were a sculpture - and the function becomes secondary to the sculptural aspects of the pottery. In each of the 3 pieces describe if the work is more functional or sculptural.

Think about the Cultural Combo Pot you are designing and answer the following:

1. If you were a potter, what would you want to do with your artwork - Would you focus mostly on the functional aspects of your pottery or the sculptural aspects of your pottery?
   What is your thinking behind this decision?
2. How will your cultural combo pot be functional? How will it be sculptural? How will you represent your culture?