So since I made the big announcement that I was back in the game and ready to start posting regularly again, I've barely posted at all. My sister has reminded me of this on a few occasions and I know I need to get with it. So, here goes...
I am really starting to delve into my comp exams. Finally. I am working on the first paper focused on gender roles and the social construction of gender, gender roles, and gender identity. At first glance, it feel s pretty easy, right? This is what is expected as a "man/boy" and here is what is expected a "woman/girl." Not so easy. Once you start to think about subordinate masculinity versus hegemonic masculinity, the water starts to get a little muddy. Or when you think about jocks vs. band geeks or theater rats or any other sub-schools that exist in schools and society, things get even more dense. Who is to say that one form of masculinity is better than another? Who is to say it's right? And what of androgyny? Other cultures have three (sometimes more) gender roles in their societies, but not the good ole U. S. of A. No. It's either male or female with little acceptance for cross-over or questioning. This leaves people - particularly young people - in a precarious position. Are they male? Are they female? What if they are sexed as a male, but identify more with female characteristics and traits? Then what? Anyway, these are the issues, challenges, and conundrums with which I am dealing with in order to complete this final degree. Well, actually, I am dealing with them when I am not at pottery class or in open studio...
And that brings us to pottery class. Last week I was absent since I attended the Dave Matthews concert at Darien Lake. Since I was pelted in the eardrum with freezing cold rain and wind, I would have much rather been working some clay at the Genesee Center. So, where am I at with this emerging "talent"? Well....
It's been an adventure. I am learning to cope with and appreciate centrifugal force much more than I ever have. I am finally starting to remember to not put a soaking wet sponge on a moving wheel. Said sponge flies off wheel. Same with a ball of clay, as evidenced by the night that one of mine flew off to hit my instructor (Ezra) in the kneecap. Man down. I am also learning to appreciate the effects that too much water has on a very smooth and pliable clay. It sinks my battleship every time. When I add too much water, I almost never produce anything that even looks like a piece of art....not even abstract art. But, overall it's good.
Two weeks ago we glazed our first pieces and I am anxious to see how they turn out. Rest assured I will post pictures when they emerge from the kiln magically colored and 15% smaller than they were when I first put them in the kiln room.
As a person who has significant weaknesses in spatial ordering and understanding how the world all fits together mechanically and socially (there's a reason I am in social sciences), this has been really challenging for me. Almost always, I have to have Ezra show me exactly how my hands should be when throwing a piece or when removing the slip from the outside. I always thought I was a kinestetic learner, but apparently, not so much. It makes me feel a little dense and slow, but I am coming around. Sometimes when I am just going about my every day routines, I remember a hand position or something will click and it hits me. Like, "OH! THAT's what I need to do in order to not put a gigantic hole in the side." Right. I ruined two pieces this weekend when trimming because I dug too deep and put mammoth holes in both items. So not cool.
Anyway, that's where I am at with the pottery thing. I am successfully making things that look like cylinders and although they are not huge, they are symmetrical and nicely shaped. I hope everyone in my family likes oddly shaped pottery because it's what's for Christmas this year!
