Dr. Yao-Fen You, Acting Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, highlighted in a ceramics seminar on November 25th that ceramics, one of the earliest technologies of human civilization, is almost ubiquitous across all cultures worldwide.
From simple vessels to high-end industrial materials, ceramics symbolize human wisdom and creativity. They enrich our daily lives and contribute to the development of human civilization.
The Orange County Chinese Artists Association, chaired by Jeane Kung, specially organized this ceramics seminar for its members.
In addition to providing a broad overview of ceramics, Dr. You also encouraged participants to bring a favorite piece or two of ceramics to share with the larger group.
What started as a general discussion of ceramic culture thus expanded into a story-sharing and ceramic appreciation session, making it a delightful experience for all attendees who left with a wealth of knowledge.
During her remarks, Dr.You explained that ceramics can be divided into three principal types, depending on the clay body and firing temperature.
First, there is earthenware, which is considered a low-fire ceramic type since it is fired at around 750 to 900°C. It tends to be porous, not watertight, and chips easily.
Then, there is stoneware, which is fired to a higher temperature than earthenware. Fired at about 1100 to 1300°C, stoneware is more durable, watertight, and does not chip easily. It is good for daily use such as food storage and serving.
Lastly, there is porcelain, which is fired at a temperature of1200 to 1400°C. As high-fired objects, they can withstand the test of time, ranging from industrial uses to fine decorative art.
"As one of the most important forms of Chinese art, ceramics have a long history in China," Dr. You remarked.
"Porcelain is a Chinese invention, and stoneware was also first developed in China."
For thousands of years, Chinese potters have had the most advanced kiln technology. Ceramics have always been an integral part of human life.
We use ceramics in our homes to cook and serve food, and they also take the form of wall and floor tiles, offering both beauty and practicality.
Dr. You emphasized that ceramics are deeply intertwined with daily life.
"Each of us has a favorite bowl or cup that we use every day," she said. "Perhaps we love the surface decoration or the feeling of the bowl in our hands.
Jeane Kung noted, too, that ceramics can carry so many memories. “Maybe it's something we picked up during a trip, a gift from family and friends at our wedding, or a treasured heirloom passed down by elders."
Seminar participants brought a range of cherished ceramic items from their homes, including large vases, porcelain plates, and tea sets.
They asked Dr. You provide insights, and everyone gathered around, listening intently, creating a lively atmosphere.
As the discussion made clear, whether through visual, tactile, or emotional connections, ceramics are an extension of human civilization and emotion.
The Orange County Chinese Artists Association, with nearly 200 members, invites scholars and artists from various fields to engage with members every year.
Dr. You is not only an expert in art history but also has extensive experience in working with ceramics, having curated art exhibitions at several prestigious museums in the U.S.
The seminar was conducted in English, with Zhao Chuan serving as the Chinese translator.
BIOS:
Yao-Fen You is the Acting Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC), charged with ensuring the comprehensive representation and inclusion of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) across the Smithsonian's collections, research, exhibitions, and programs.
On temporary leave from her position as Senior Curator and Department Head of Product Design and Decorative Arts at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, You has actively expanded APAC's education, publication, and public programming initiatives, including overseeing the presentation of Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC.
The author of Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate: Consuming the World (2016), You received her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
She serves on the board of the Decorative Arts Trust and the American Ceramic Circle, and has held curatorial positions at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Harvard Art Museums, and the University of Michigan Museum of Art.
史密森尼亞洲太平洋美國人中心的代理總監游瑤芬博士11/
從簡單的泥土器皿到高端的工業材料，陶瓷不僅是實用的工具，
由橙縣華人藝術家協會會長孔德貞精心策劃的這場陶瓷文化講座，
她的建議讓原本只是一場陶瓷文化研討會，
游博士指出，陶瓷根據黏土成分和燒製溫度不同，
第二類是炻器，燒製溫度較高，達到1100至1300°C，
最後則是瓷器，它需要在1200至1400°C的高溫下燒製，
游博士還特別強調陶瓷對中國文化的重要性。她提到，“
在游博士的心中，陶瓷不僅僅是物質，還代表著一段段故事，
游博士接著講到：“每個人都有一個自己每天使用的最愛碗或杯子，
講座後，與會者互相展示自己珍藏的陶瓷作品。孔德貞表示，
隨著每個故事的講述，像是與時光對話，每條裂痕和每處釉色，
橙縣華人藝術家協會會長孔德貞表示，
她也曾在美國多家著名博物館策劃過陶瓷展覽，
本次研討會以英語進行，並由趙川先生擔任中文翻譯。
游瑤芬博士小檔案：
游瑤芬博士是史密森尼亞美中心（APAC）代理總監，
她目前正從史密森尼設計博物館庫珀休伊特（Cooper Hewitt）
游博士也是《茶、咖啡和巧克力：消費世界》（2016年）
她是裝飾藝術信託基金（Decorative Arts Trust）和美國陶瓷學會（American Ceramic Circle）的董事會成員，並曾在底特律藝術學院、J. Paul Getty博物館、