Jan 15–Jun 21, 2009

Dirt On Delight: Impulses That Form Clay

About

Dirt On Delight: Impulses That Form Clay includes significant work in clay by 22 artists spanning four generations on view January 16-June 21, 2009.
Ranging from modestly scaled pots to figurines to large sculptures, these objects cross a spectrum of conventional delineations among fine art, craft, and outsider practices. Collectively, they suggest that clay appeals to basic impulses, starting with the delight of building form, coupled with the anxiety of completion. All of the works in the exhibition appear to be in some state of flux or growth.

Clay is a base material. From potsherds to porcelain fixtures, clay is synonymous with the building of industries and cultures. At the same time, its very materiality—its tactile malleability, earthen sensuousness, and humidity—make it the medium of more elemental associations and expressions. The immediacy with which clay allows one to build form and create ornament underlies its appeal—especially in relation to current modes that seem to take fabrication increasingly out of artists’ hands. More specifically, this exhibition is an opportunity to examine not only clay’s appeal, but also craft in general.
Ann AgeeRobert ArnesonKathy ButterlyNicole CherubiniLucio FontanaViola FreyJessica Jackson HutchinsJane IrishJeffry MitchellRon NagleGeorge OhrKen PriceSterling RubyAdrian SaxeBeverly SemmesArlene ShechetRudolf StaffelPaul SwenbeckEugene Von BruenchenheinPeter VoulkosBeatrice WoodBetty WoodmanDirt on Delight 1

Dirt On Delight: Impulses That Form Clay, 2009, installation view, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania. Photo: Aaron Igler/Greenhouse Media.

Dirt on Delight 2

Dirt On Delight: Impulses That Form Clay, 2009, installation view, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania. Photo: Aaron Igler/Greenhouse Media.

Dirt on Delight 3

Dirt on Delight 3
Books & Editions
Dirt on Delight: Impulses That Form Clay [Out of Stock] book cover
ISBN
9780884541177
Pages
112
Publisher
Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Year
2009
$35.00
ISBN 9780884541177
Publication Date
2009
Authors
Glenn Adamson
Authors
Glenn Adamson
Publisher
Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Price
$35.00
"ICA is grateful for primary sponsorship from The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage through the Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative. ICA acknowledges generous support from William L. True and funding from The Toby Fund, Locks Foundation, Janet S. Kardon, Mrs. Helen W. Drutt English & H. Peter Stern and Elaine Finkelstein. We are thankful for generous support of this show from ICAs Vision Fund donors: Dorothy A. Weber & Stephen R. Weber Endowment Fund; Nancy E. & Leonard M. Amoroso Exhibition Endowment Fund; Dorothy H. and Martin N. Bandier Endowment Fund; The Cheri S. & Steven M. Friedman Endowment Fund; The Pamela Spiegel Sanders C78 Exhibition Endowment Fund established by The Jerry & Emily Spiegel Family Foundation, Inc.; Lurie Family Foundation; Lawrence S. Reichlin. Additional funding has been provided by The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, The Dietrich Foundation, Inc., the Overseers Board for the Institute of Contemporary Art, friends and members of ICA, and the University of Pennsylvania.

ICA is also grateful to The Chodorow Exhibition Initiative Fund for support of the exhibitions tour."