The Critic
I just
finished an article I am writing about the wood fire mentorship and I have been
thinking of the critical process. Many people don’t like it and have all kinds
of reasons to avoid it. I remember it said that “The critic is someone who
makes their reputation by destroying someone else’s. I don’t believe this is
so. I think if you were to ask the mentees from our group they would unanimously
agree that the honesty and respect was always at the base of the critique.
There is a much needed role for someone to lead the critical process at all levels
of Ceramics. I remember lots of potters got their knickers in a knot over Garth
Clark’s article the Leach Orphans. I thought it was great although it was well
directed at me and those I have followed. It started dialogue. He has his job
to do. Sometimes it just isn’t a pretty
job.
I have
written before that I believe Muhammad Ali was the greatest athlete of my time.
Here’s what he had to say:
It’s a job!
Grass
grows,
Birds fly,
Waves pound
the sand
I beat
people up!
Often
during the critique at Sheridan when I taught there you had faculty that were
known as bad cops and those known as good cops. Somebody had to be the rat or the wild boar. Each had a job to do. Some students require
wheel barrows full of praise and some need to be told to do something else. If
they really want to do it they will do in spite of what they are told.
I was the
kid in school when a teacher or my parents told me I couldn’t do something I
would find a way to do it. My parents never wanted me to be a potter. Never doubt the strong will of a person that chooses
to work their lives in the clay pits.
Every time I try to link something on my blog it goes screwy. Google "Mel Brooks The Critic on U-tube)
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