Studio Sessions

About the Studio Session

We all know that ceramics show–the one where the room is a sea of so many bulky white pedestals that you can hardly see the work. Is it a show of bold ceramic objects, or a show of old crusty pedestals? This is a pervasive conundrum because so many objects absolutely necessitate some sort of pedestal. Enter, the pedestal problem. Work often needs to be elevated, presented, given a platform distinct from its surrounds, or perhaps made cohesive through systematic display. How does work extend beyond its own materiality into space, and into a viewing or interactive experience? Where does work begin and end? How can we expand our conception of ‘the pedestal’?

In this Studio Session we consider display methods with a focus upon creative intent and emotional response. We’ll look at traditional pedestals alongside contemporary alternatives, bases, external armatures, supportive hardware, and exhibition formats that uncover, elevate, and accentuate what’s really being shown. Whether it’s a small discrete object, a massive multi-part sculpture, something functional, a performance, or an installation, it is essential for artists to consider how our work meets the world.