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Armstrong GalleryDon Reitz's work will be on exhibition from January 12th ,2008 thru March 1st, 2008. A reception for the artist is scheduled February 9th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. highlighting this exhibition of Reitz's most recent work. The current work of the legendary Don Reitz captures the voluptuous depth of fresh clay and the breathless intensity of fire in forms of comfort and wholeness. Evident in this grouping of new work is a masterful surrender between maker and material. The iconic Reitz "X" rests easily, gestural arcs swoop with wet and immediate gravity. These objects seem plucked from the state prior to sleep, profound yet incomprehensible, with fragmented content and startling familiarity. In an interview with Judy Clowes for the book 'Don Reitz, Clay, Fire, Salt, and Wood' Don Reitz, shrugged off being twice placed in the list of most important living ceramists by Ceramics Monthly readers. His restless investigations within the discipline of traditional ceramic forms, has now arrived at this iconic destination, simplified to the essence of the material and the fire which completes its creation. More information PDF Elvehjem ScheduleFriday, March 11 11:00 a.m. Don to give docents an introductory tour of the exhibition "Don Reitz: Clay, Fire, Salt, and Wood" in the exhibition galleries [These galleries will be still be closed to the public at this point.] The tour can last up until 12:30 p.m. 5 p.m. Slide-lecture by artist Don Reitz in L160 for MEMBERS ONLY. (Free for current Elvehjem members with membership card; $5.00 for nonmembers; children twelve and under free.) The lecture begins promptly at 5 p.m. Seating is limited; doors open at 4:30 p.m. 6-8 p.m. Preview reception for Don Reitz: Clay, Fire, Salt, and Wood Refreshments will be served. Bluegrass music by The Nob Hill Boys. Saturday, March 12 Exhibition opens to the public at 9 a.m. for this event. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Panel 1: Former students David Dahlquist, Donald Lipski, June Onesti, and Rick Pope discuss how they have (or have not) been influenced by Reitz's teaching at UW*Madison; Panel 2: The art of Don Reitz, by periods of production, is the topic for these artists*James Tanner on the 1960s, Judy Onofrio on the 1970s-80s (Pyro-Man), Donald Bendel on anagama kilns in Arizona during the 1990s, and Rudy Autio and John Balistreri on Us Guys (community of fellow ceramicists) from the 1990s to the present. Introduction to the exhibition by Jody Clowes, curator; Moderator and program organizer, Leatrice S. Eagle, J.D. Thursday, March 17 7 p.m. Gallery lecture by Jody Clowes, exhibition curator, about the exhibition Don Reitz: Clay, Fire, Salt, and Wood, Gallery VII Walk through the exhibition with the catalogue author who has documented and interpreted the innovative ceramics and career of Don Reitz. Wednesday, April 6 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.-Don to meet Madison area high school ceramics students in Gallery VII of his exhibition "Don Reitz: Clay, Fire, Salt, and Wood" for a gallery talk. Thursday, April 7 4 p.m. "Mr. Salt Paints with Fire: Salt-glazing, Wood-firing, and the Work of Don Reitz," Elvehjem room L160 Fellow ceramicists from around the country will gather to discuss the vibrant influence of Don Reitz, especially his innovative salt-glazed and wood-fired ceramics. Part I* Lecture and discussion on wood-firing: Jack Troy, and Jim Leedy with Don Reitz; Part II (approximately 5:45 p.m.)*Panel discussion: Dan Anderson, Rudy Autio, and James Tanner, with Bruce Breckenridge; Moderator, Jody Clowes, curator of the exhibition Don Reitz: Clay, Fire, Salt, and Wood Monday, April 25 5:30 p.m. Illustrated lecture by Roald Hoffmann, the Frank H.T. Rhodes Professor of Humane Letters and of Chemistry, Cornell University, "Chemistry and Ceramics: Shared Ground, Common Fire," Elvehjem room L140 From clays to the glazes, those wonderful salt glazes of Don Reitz, there sure is a lot of chemistry in ceramics. But the alliance of the science and the art form is deeper; it is based on the essential transforming nature of fire in both. And on the change that ensues. The essence of chemistry -- substances and their transformation, molecules and their transformations -- will be described. And how human beings, scientists or potters, balance control and chance in their enterprise. And, in the end, how they are ambivalent about the essential change that, explicit or implicit, is in their craft. Professor Hoffmann, a Nobel prize-winner in chemistry, poet, and playwright, will lecture to complement the exhibition Don Reitz: Clay, Fire, Salt, and Wood. The exhibition will be open from 5*8 p.m. A reception in Paige Court follows the lecture. Cosponsored with the Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy and the UW-Madison Department of Chemistry Daily during the exhibition: |
