Video production by Tony Scauzillo-Golden, Spective Productions

Open for Construction:

SOIL Ceramics Show welcomes the NCECA conference

February 29 – April 14, 2012
Reception / Thursday, March 01, 6–9pm

NCECA Reception / Tuesday, March 27, 6–9pm

Hours during NCECA /
March 26 – 29, 12–6 pm
March 30, 12–9 pm
March 31, 10–6 pm

In March of 2012, SOIL gallery is presenting a participatory and constantly evolving clay installation, Open for Construction. Using the props from a stereotypical office space SOIL gallery transforms itself into a space of creativity and play where unfired clay takes the center stage. Visitors are invited to become active participants, either by collaborating with SOIL artists or by adding new details to the clay landscape or reshaping the existing one. The resulting installation is a collective record of experiences with the handmade, which in turn allows to shape and transform our environment.

This exhibition is to coincide with the annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). The project is curated and organized by artists Timea Tihanyi and Ben Hirschkoff and will be a collaborative endeavor of all SOIL member artists.

In this novel project, the gallery will be transformed into a construction site, where clay takes the main role. SOIL member artists will set the stage to somewhat resemble a corporate office space and will be developing details of the interior landscape by making various forms with clay that interact with the existing arrangements and space. During the month of the exhibition, the installation will be evolving constantly. Gallery visitors will be invited to interact with the current state of installation, continuously transforming the "landscape" of clay. The intent is to share the experience of the handmade and to present a situation where one is in control of his/her environment and free to transform that. Where there would be the monotony of paperwork in the office, it will be replaced by playful clay forms in this art workspace.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Washington State Arts Commission.