Memphis on My Mind
Work in progress pieces from my “Light My Fire” series. Still in incubation mode.
I’ve been working on this idea for a while. It’s a bit of an ongoing struggle and this post has been sitting in draft for months. Hoping that I’ll get to a point where the concept morphs into the pieces I envisioned. The big TA-DA moment has yet to arrive. It was starting to discourage me a bit and causing stress. Recently, I realized this is part of the growth. Think it’s time to document some work in progress. More posts to come as this project evolves.
Some back story to start. Intrigued by the Memphis Design Movement, I have an appreciation for “ugly-beauty” or balking what is conventionally considered beautiful. I admire the bravery of try something new. This is harder to achieve than you think. Especially nowadays, rehashing, resampling, collaging all require a library of existing media, be it photos, videos, illustrations, music… I digress. My initial inspiration is excess in terms of function and maybe form. Fueled by my love of fire, I set out to create a candle/incense holder that is also sculptural. It’s a lot but I’ve come to terms with this is how I’m wired. I can’t leave simple or well enough alone. Often biting off way more than I can chew. Cue growth in self-awareness.
First Attempt – Light My Fire I
All hand-built. The pieces features multi-functional use: a candle stick holder that can be turned over to a tea light holder and when removed, it reveals incense holder. The form deviated far from my original sketch. Mainly due to my inability to work with clay. Technical lesson learned, the base warped due to slab drying time and preparation. Mostly functional for its intended purposes. Aesthetically, this turned out less refined. More Brutalist than Memphis. Has ugly-beauty been achieved?
Second Attempt – Light My Fire II
Take 2. This time, tried throwing the individual pieces on the wheel and then reassembling. Once again, technical skill lacks are tripping me up and taking control of the form. Many details I like to improve. Overall though, I think this method has potential for further exploration. Also tested different glazing combinations and technics. Biggest take away is that I need more guidance and practice. This prompted me to sign up for more lessons.
Nothing New Under the Sun
While working on this design, serendipity enthuse. I came across Bauhaus tea and coffee service pieces by Margarete Heymann Lobenstein Marks from 1930. The circular disk handles are what I had envisioned for my pieces. I like how graphical they look while being functional. A few months later, Peter Shire’s Memphis design Bauhaus Mexican Tea Pot from 1981, came up while I was doing my education guide training at the Gardiner Museum. Is this the law of attraction at work? or is the universe messaging me to keep going?
About the images: Top – Mexican Bauhaus Teapot, 1981, by Peter Shire. The Gardiner Museum. Bottom – Bauhaus Tea Service, 1930, by Margarete Heymann Lobenstein Marks. Kirkland Museum.