Description
The first volume to examine how craft artists and designers apply scientific and mathematical concepts to creating their work
Drawn from The Mint Museum of Art’s renowned permanent collection of craft and design in all media—ceramic, pottery, wood, metal, glass, fibre, textiles and design—Craft in the Laboratory highlights how contemporary artists use STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) processes and principles when creating their work. Kate Malone’s knowledge of the chemistry of clay bodies and glazes is employed in her production of sculptures such as Mr. and Mrs. Tutti Atomic. Douglas Harling made Vishnu Dreams using the ancient technique of granulation, aided by his understanding of the roles of surface tension, oxygen reduction, and eutectic bonds in fusing gold granules to a surface. Zoltán Bohus carefully planned the layers of glass in Stratofera on paper before creating it, using his knowledge of geometry and the prismatic qualities of glass. The volume includes essays that discuss the technical aspects of materials and processes.
Author biographies
Rebecca Elliot is assistant curator of Craft, Design & Fashion, The Mint Museum of Art
Hideo Mabuchi is professor of Physics at Stanford University, CA, and is a studio potter and weaver
Zoe Laughlin is co-founder and director of the Institute of Making at University College London
Joel Smeltzer is head of School and Gallery Programs, The Mint Museum
Annie Carlano is senior curator of Craft, Design & Fashion, The Mint Museum
Table of Contents
- Sponsor’s Statement
- Foreword by Todd A. Herman
- Introduction: Under the Microscope by Annie Carlano
- Thoughts on Making by Zoe Laughlin
- The Art and Science of Knowing Things by Hideo Mabuchi
- The Studio as Laboratory by Rebecca E. Elliot
- Observations by Joel Smeltzer
- Endnotes
- Catalogue
- Acknowledgments by Annie Carlano and Rebecca E. Elliot
