This artist has been creating this incredibly intricate, detailed work over the course of the conference. It is unfired. Tomorrow she will water it. And it will collapse!
“Clay as a medium for meditation, connection and healing. Handbuilding/slip casting/press molds Rooted in an experimental and conceptual approach, Li’s practice invites reflection on personal and cultural narratives, navigating grief, intergenerational trauma, and spirituality. The first part consists of a demonstration of Li’s unique approach to traditional ceramic techniques including coiling, hand modelling, slip casting and use of press-molds, which will culminate in the creation of an ephemeral sculpture. The second part invites participants to engage in a meditative watering ritual, pouring water over the ephemeral sculpture as a collective gesture. Allowing the clay to carry things we cannot put into words, offering a shared experience that brings the community together. This ritual offers a space for reflection, exchange, and healing, bridging divides and fostering meaningful connections through collective participation.”
Oh No!!! That's absolutely her right to create something so intricate to be destroyed but it just seems such a waste to me. Makes me wonder if it wouldn't be just as satisfying for each participant to rather work with the clay instead of watering the clay?
Second time I've come across this this year.
Complex chandelier type thing hung up. Dry bits would drop off it and at the end of the exhibition it would be melted down and the clay used again.
this is like the piece of pottery I posted "last week" ...
If you were there, and just walked up and watched her for a while, it wouldn't invite reflection on any subject at all.
The narrative has to be narrated - the clay doesn't speak for itself at all.
@merrelyn@seacreature@anniesue clay is an interesting medium… you need to learn to not be attached to outcomes with your work. There is the possibility of “failure” at every point of the process. Maybe this is a way of letting go and just enjoying the making. And until fired, clay is infinitely reusable.
@narayani Okay, well that is starting to make more sense then if the clay is infinitely reusable until fired. Then I can understand it as a more adult version of the creativity of making and playing with play dough with Maddy, or making and icing little cookies which then just get eaten. The satisfaction is in the moulding and the making.
October 5th, 2025
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@ludwigsdiana @chikadnz @30pics4jackiesdiamond here is the blurb that went with the event.
She does create fired work which is just as stunning. She’s worth a google.
Complex chandelier type thing hung up. Dry bits would drop off it and at the end of the exhibition it would be melted down and the clay used again.
If you were there, and just walked up and watched her for a while, it wouldn't invite reflection on any subject at all.
The narrative has to be narrated - the clay doesn't speak for itself at all.