Aug 11, 2011

The Aesthetics in a Pottery Barn

I think clay pots make very interesting subjects for a camera, and a visit to a pottery barn is sheer delight to anyone looking to workout their cameras, and capture the play of light and shadow!

This pottery place we went to last weekend was tucked up cosy below the Nandi Hills, off Bangalore -a small shed framed by hills on all sides. Mounds of clay/mud welcomed us as we entered the dimly lit barn with old wooden doors and windows, light streaming in through them and cracks in the tiles on the roof, and walls speaking of several years of hard work.
Unclean... yet beautiful
The potter invited us to try the pottery wheel ourselves. I guess making a pot yourself is a nice heady combination of several feelings - the squishy feeling of clay between your fingers shaping something, the fact that a simple movement of a few fingers could change its shape, and the hope of things to come.. like your own creation to take back home.

The potter giving his finishing touches to the pot our friend made

The fresh piece

There were finished pots of all shapes and sizes lined up to dry.

And it never is an easy day for this potter. The clay doesn't come smooth, it has to be stood over, stamped, rolled over, stamped over and over again until the required consistency is reached before he gets to work on it. He enthusiastically showed it all - proud of how he earns his livelihood (and of course the prospect of earning a few bucks from these visitors).

The kiln outside the barn, decorated with yellow and red flowers, see them?

Artistic, is the symmetry and earthy colors of a pottery barn, isn't it? The tour gave me a sense of how potters give expression to the abstract, and nudged awake all my aesthetic senses in the process!

Linking this story to Barn Charm.

19 comments:

  1. beautiful account!

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  2. wow, a lovely post indeed...
    the first image captures the mood and imagination perfectly!

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  3. Wonderful! Felt like taking a tour myself.. Loved every bit of it!

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  4. Oh, I wish I could have come with you:) I love checking out these places and chatting with the artisans, one can learn so much from their dedication and artistry.

    On another note, Ambika, in 2012, I am hoping to be back in India, definitely Bangalore with Amithi (my non-profit). I am so looking forward to meeting you and several other bloggers there:):) Let us stay in touch.

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  5. Wonderful post, Ambika! Loved your pictures, they are almost as if they are out of a magazine.

    I wish I could go to a Pottery barn!

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  6. I tried my hand in pottery in school - was so bad. All my creations were a mangled mess!

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  7. Thank you all!
    Kala, glad to hear that! We must keep in touch.

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  8. I love the way you not only captured beautiful images, but also shared the beautiful moments of your tour. It was lovely reading every bit of your piece. I am following your blog. You may like to follow mine.
    Thanks
    Barkha Dhar

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  9. Very well written..keep it going:)

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  10. Loved the tour, Ambika...lovely images & wonderful account...great going, girl:)))

    I've a soft corner for Blore as I've spent my childhood there... lovely place:)

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  11. Beautiful pictures!!

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  12. great, yes the feeling of a form getting materialized using our fingers, is a magic feel!

    Where exactly is this at he foot of nandi hills? I would like to go there next weekend or so...

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  13. Anonymous2:36 AM

    Incredible! I've never had an entry all the way from Bangalore... absolutely incredible!
    The Pottery Barn is beautiful & I love all the textures there... especially on the kiln!

    Thank you so very much for joining in & linking up to Barn Charm =)

    Have a wonderful week

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  14. i found you at "barn charm"...

    these are just beautiful! i love the light and timelessness. it's wonderful that they let you give the wheel a try.

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  15. Anonymous8:30 PM

    This is truly lovely.. I so want to walk into that pottery place with you.. This is one thing.. that I've been dying to learn.. and just havent got around.. There arent too many places in Dubai.. to learn it from.. and its super expensive!!

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