Response to Food, Clay and Play by Willi Singleton

In this article, Willi Singleton tries to make a connection between pots with food and

play, a practice that has been inspired to him by his teachers. Teachers leave an impact on a

person’s interest and can help redefine the view that a person has about something, which was

the case for Singleton. He says that he was taught to use his skills to express and bring out the

character of the clay, glaze, and fire. I agree to this fact because clay works is being about

innovative and putting one’s skills into practice.

Singleton opposes the denial of utilitarian ceramics as a serious artistic pursuit. He first

describes the overlap between food and clay. He compares making pottery to cooking because

there is a parallel connection between the two. Slow food is characterized and promotes the use

of fresh, locally raised, and organic ingredients. There is the preparation of these ingredients in

an unhurried and mindful manner because a person desires to achieve a good taste in the end.

This art of making Slow Food is similar to that of making Slow Clay where there is less

emphasis on speed of producing, and more on depth and richness in the finished pots.

Regarding tools, he says that a good cook needs to have favorite equipment such as

knifes which makes him/her feel nice, makes works easier, and more enjoyable. Similarly, a

potter needs to have tools that make pottery easy, comfortable, and pleasure to use. I agree with

the fact that tools are essential because they help shape the material one works with and shape

the maker or potter as well. One needs to consider the tools being employed to work. Having

favorable tools makes work easier, creates a connection between a potter and products, and

fosters accommodation. Singleton finds great joy working on wheels made by Tadao Arimoto.

Regarding glaze Singleton relies on several materials from the valley surrounding his

studio as the basis of his glazes. This is as important as starting with fresh, wholesome, nutritious
ingredients when cooking. Singleton finds it more interesting to start with unprocessed materials,

because they are a more complex mix of minerals and chemicals than the highly refined

materials. It is the same thing with food where fresh fruits and vegetables will provide better

nutrition than processed ones. What Singleton implies is that it is important for a person to work

with ingredients that one is locally used to because they can be exploited to bring out the best of

product.

Singleton also writes that firing should not be rushed through. He also compares this

process to slow cooking. I agree that Combinations of clay and glaze are enhanced by firing in a

wood-burning kiln at a slow rate of heating and cooling. In my experience with clay, I have

come to realize that clay products should be slowly and skillfully burnt to bring out the effect

that one wants and prevent cooking. The food example given on grilling on a barbeque will

retain the smoky flavor of the fire to bring out the interaction between flame and clay is a perfect

example for this case

In essence, successful potting has a connection to great cooking. One needs to start with

good ingredients to come up with a satisfying result that are not just conceptual construct, but a

thing to be savored and enjoyed that can nourish and satisfy on multiple levels. Pottery should

result in aesthetically satisfying objects that carry a feeling of where they come from and how

they came into being. Slow Food served on Slow Clay may offer a much-needed respite from our

fast-food culture and the frenetic pace of our lives.