Collaborative Art Appreciation through “Making Spaces” with Ceramic and Plane Work (Tokonoma)

Abstract

This paper discusses a teaching method of making and appreciating ceramic works with 3rd year junior high school students. We made ball-type ceramic bowls looking at dynamic Momoyama tea bowls, and tried collaborative art appreciation through making spaces with ceramic and plane works (tokonoma alcoves), and discussed the best combinations. We were amazed to learn that even with the same ceramic works, the plane context changes the way the work appears. We created good spaces and activities through talking about subtle feelings and matching. The students were able to feel the characteristics of ceramic artwork and sensitive art appreciation. It was clearly proved effective as collaborative art appreciation through making spaces.