Video | Serene and Peaceful Water-on-Ceramics for Midsummer Relaxation

Welcome back to Friday videos, our weekly ceramics film roundup that we like to organize by themes. We’re into the thick of summer right now and in the midst of all this passive sweating I’m doing, I thought it would be fun to look up sculptural ceramics that use water in their construction. Another thing these videos share is a peaceful mood. Water is utilized either for it’s slight drip-drip-drop noise or for it’s shimmering, liquid environment, both are calming.

Michael Parker Steam Work

Los Angeles-based artist Michael Parker hosts weekly sauna nights at his studio since 2011. That tradition fed into this installation in which the artist built a sculptural sauna, complete with cold rinse pools. I like how this piece evokes nature, albeit a nature that hangs on metal hooks and wires.

Ryan Takaba, Mums and Water

Takaba’s Mums and Water seems to focus in on a tiny moment after a summer rain storm. Raindrops work their way along long, slender flower stems, or they drop with a satisfying plink onto a ceramic flower bud.

Gail Mahon, Long Drop

London/Northern Ireland artist Gail Mahon found a peaceful, serene aesthetic in something as humble as leaky pipes in an old house. The least-natural sculpture of the bunch, it shows complicated man-made systems as they slowly give way to the action of water.

Kate Marshall, Fathom

Fathom by Kate Marshall is a touching tribute to sailors who were lost at sea. The arms are open as if to embrace the environment that is their home for eternity. I especially like the tattoos adorning each arm. The effect is a little spooky, but it ends in peace.

That’s all the videos we have for this week! Have a great weekend and I’ll see you in seven!

Bill Rodgers is a writer for cfile.daily.

Do you love or loathe these works of contemporary ceramic art? Let us know in the comments.