Lecture: Clay: The Everlasting Memento The significance of clay in our daily lives is deeply rooted beyond the physical object. The permanence of clay becomes an important tool that, throughout history, has been used to preserve and commemorate. We subconsciously desire to be remembered and we consciously decide to record our memories.

1. Clay: The Everlasting
Memento
Christen Baker

2. Why Clay?

3. Clay is Accessible
• Clay and other ceramic materials are
mined for industry.
• clay and ceramic stores around the
country.
• You can dig up your own.

4. Clay is Versatile
• Functional
• Waterproof
• Durable
• Decorative
• Can be altered for the needs of the artist

5. Clay is Pliable
• Can be molded and formed very easily
– Handbuilding
– Slipcasting
– Throwing on the wheel
• Has great plasticity with the addition of
water
• Can be very strong with the ceramic
additives

6. Clay is Archival
• Clay becomes permanent when fired to a
minimum of 600 degrees Celcius or 1112
degrees Farenheight.
• Once clay has chemically changed and
reached vitrification, it cannot physically
break down on its own - ever.

7. Ancient Civilization

8. Jericho, 7000 BCE

10. Mesopotamia

12. Sumer, 2500 BCE

16. Egypt

19. Ancient Greece

23. The Etruscans

26. The Rise of
Industrialized Ceramics

32. 19th Century America

37. Contemporary
Interpretations

52. What have we concluded?

53. Contact Me
• cbaker@kcai.edu
• christenbaker41@yahoo.com
• Christenbaker.wordpress.com