Clay: The Everlasting Memento

Christen Baker

Why Clay?

Clay is Accessible

• Clay and other ceramic materials are mined for industry.

• clay and ceramic stores around the country.

• You can dig up your own.

Clay is Versatile

• Functional• Waterproof• Durable• Decorative• Can be altered for the needs of the

artist

Clay is Pliable

• Can be molded and formed very easily– Handbuilding– Slipcasting– Throwing on the wheel

• Has great plasticity with the addition of water

• Can be very strong with the ceramic additives

Clay is Archival

• Clay becomes permanent when fired to a minimum of 600 degrees Celcius or 1112 degrees Farenheight.

• Once clay has chemically changed and reached vitrification, it cannot physically break down on its own - ever.

Ancient Civilization

Jericho, 7000 BCE

Mesopotamia

Sumer, 2500 BCE

Egypt

Ancient Greece

The Etruscans

The Rise of Industrialized Ceramics

19th Century America

Contemporary Interpretations

What have we concluded?

Contact Me

• cbaker@kcai.edu• christenbaker41@yahoo.com

• Christenbaker.wordpress.com