development work

Physical traces of making part 2

In the previous post I briefly talked about the development work around the traces of making. 
Here's some of the work I started a couple of years ago. I wanted to see how different sized pieces of clay would impact on the shapes and forms that could be created through simply using  my hands. 

As I mentioned by following simple words led as instructions these small abstract shapes began to take place. 

As I worked through each ball of clay I wrote down what I had done and how each shape had been made.
For example: using both hands pressed down on to the table. 

I gradually worked through porcelain paper clay, terracotta and a course black chunky clay.
To see if that had any impact on the work or whether the colour changed the way I handled the clay. 





 



As I began to accumulate a collection of interesting objects I considered the idea of extending this exploration to involve other people. 
As a maker I felt that I may be making certain assumptions around the capabilities of the clay and second guessing how it would behave which could hinder the outcome. 

Here are a few examples of Lisa's pieces. A friend of mine who has no knowledge of clay. 

It was an interesting process as there were some similarities between my own pieces and Lisa's. This most likely came about from one another's understanding of the words used as opposed to the clay. 

So… Is the clay simply the felicitator for the work and what is more important here?