Sgraffito is italian, but derived from the greek word gráphein which means to write.The greeks wrote with an alphabet in a linear fashion, just like you are reading this. And, now that I am in a writing class, I write just like the greeks did. Although, my writing looks a little different.
Fortunately, sgraffito has multiple meanings. Today sgraffito is a decorating technique used in multiple artistic disciplines, but pottery is my personal favorite discipline of art. So, I use it in my work. I'm not sure if the greeks used it much, because it was much more popular during the renaissance. But I was taught to use sgraffito by using a clay slip that is a different color than the original clay to decorate the piece. Using this technique potters can get much more intricate decorations on their work--you can tell I'm still learning how to incorporate sgraffito in my work.
That's an interesting connection between language and art. It makes me wonder what caused sgraffitto to change in meaning so much over time.
ReplyDeleteWhat I really like about this class is that the students are asked to apply what they learn while studying the rhetoric of history to their own fields of study and current events that are affecting them. I think of this aspect of the class because say that sgraffitto is used in many disciplines of art. Maybe your favorite is pottery, but you could probably relate to other methods of sgraffitto too. I think the relevance of the material is what makes this class so fun
ReplyDeleteCool connection with sgraffito... you really thought outside of the box! I was a little confused at first, but I like that you were able to connect it to more than just writing (which is common)- and make it more personalized with pottery.
ReplyDeleteI love that art and art words transcend time. It is interesting that art is something that hasn't improved overtime like science and medicine. we still look back in history to find the great works of art. This is something we can change by doing what you are doing, practicing.
ReplyDelete