Esoteric Survey

  Boundless: Reflections of the Southern California Landscapes in Midcentury Studio Ceramics explores how the physical, social, and political landscapes of the area shaped craft. Nearly 150 objects from Mingei’s permanent collection, set against large-scale photography, transport us to the breathtaking locations reflected in the ceramics. Through these landscapes and the awe-inspiring science of clay, glaze, and fire, this exhibition celebrates Southern California mid-twentieth century ceramics. Curated by  Guusje Sanders There are a large number of Laura Andreson pieces in the exhibition and there's a reason for that. Andreson started the ceramics department at UCLA in 1933. Over 5,000 students studied under her  until she retired in 1970. This includes Martha Longenecker in 1939, who founded Mingei International Museum in 1978.  In 1982, Mingei organized the exhibition Laura Andreson — A Fifty-Year Retrospective in Clay. It was curated by Mingei founder and then D...

 Here is my load from Downtown Modernism.  It was another great one! Donald Drumm wall mounted candelabra and more of the Raymor spot lamps. Some dealers/auctions have attributed them to Harry Gitlin but I don't think Raymor sold his lamps. Handmade stool that has a label from the City/County of San Francisco. I'm curious if they worked with someone we might know on some sort of commission. Freeman Lederman bell. These are from their Import Collection. Although it does have a Tackett look, I think it was part of a collection they imported from Japan. A tea set by Richard Shaw Aluminum box and a nice Joel Edwards Olga Lee, Charles Allen, Paul McCobb and George Nelson

80th Scripps College Ceramic Annual Starting in 1945, Scripps College has been mounting these legendary annual exhibitions. This year, they combined two major California collections for  In the Hands of the Collector: The Fred Marer and Forrest L. Merrill Collections.  Guest curated by Nancy Servis, there are over 100 pieces by more than 60 artists. Fred donated his collection of over 1,500 pieces to Scripps. Forrest has over 4,000 and counting. They both acquired many works directly from the artists and California ceramics are at the core. Since Fred was in southern California, these direct purchases came from people working at Otis and other institutions around LA. Forrest started his collection through direct purchases in the Bay Area, since he's from Berkeley. He's also still at it.   There are some classics. This Laura Andreson teapot is the first piece collected by Fred Marer.  Glen Lukens Antonio Prieto from Forrest James Lovera was so good and is still s...