Moon Jars: Throwing Large Vessels

with Dave Kim
CERAMICS 664 001 | 3 credits | $225 Lab Fee
August 11 - 24, 2024

The moon jar, a notable piece of traditional Korean white porcelain created during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), is the inspiration of this class. Originating in the fifteenth century, it earned its name due to its resemblance to the moon and the creamy hue of its glaze. Comprising two hemispherical halves seamlessly connected at the center, the moon jar exhibits a subtly irregular shape, which was intentionally incorporated to heighten its organic charm. During this class, we will explore several techniques employed in crafting this distinctive pottery form including shaping and throwing large vessels, unique and historic glazing techniques, trimming and edge refinery, and systems for successful firing. Students will be encouraged to incorporate these techniques into their own practices and ceramic goals and the class will culminate in a group reflection on the wares made.

Dave Kim the Potter’s ceramic practice explores precolonial Korean pottery traditions. Currently based in New York, Dave is devoted to carrying on an ancient tradition that has been passed down generationally, working to preserve a craft and culture that is slowly dissipating in the contemporary conversations. Kim’s practice is research-based. Through extensive study and labor intensive apprenticeships under master potters, Kim has mastered the key visual elements—form, surface, color, and material— that define traditional Korean ceramics. He has a specialized focus on the techniques of Sang-gam (inlay), Baek-ja (porcelain-ware), and Bun-cheong (stamps). These techniques were originally developed during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897) and were used to create functional ware for a variety of contexts that ranged from mundane household affairs to ancestral ritual practices to royal ceremonies. Prioritizing refined subtly over ornate embellishments, they signify the distinctive aesthetic philosophy of that time– simplicity as an embodiment of natural and unpretentious beauty.

Dave Kim, Baekdo Moon Jar, 2020, Stoneware, glaze, 16 x 16 x 16 in.