500 Cups: Ceramic Explorations of Utility and Grace

500 Series

by Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott (Editor)

In the hands of an expert ceramist, the once-simple cup can become an extraordinary work of art--as these 500 magnificent examples so beautifully prove. The exciting pieces come from an international array of artists, each with a unique perspective. The stylishly varied collection has a little bit of everything: the cups range from handbuilt to wheel-thrown, practical to sculptural, round to square. Benjamin Schulman's "Stacked Teacup Set" takes a strictly functional approach, while Heather O'Brien's "Dessert Cups on Stand" focuses on aesthetic form rather than usefulness. Annette Gates' "Espresso Shot Cups with Rubies" has a surface design of simple abstract lines and dots of glaze and jewels. Some are whimsical, others starkly conceptual. Every one is a treat for the eye.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference

408 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2005

About the author

Suzanne Tourtillott was born in post-war Germany but lives and works, happily, in Asheville, North Carolina. After studying and then teaching fine art and commercial photography, she turned to writing arts journalism for periodicals and, ultimately, to writing and editing craft books. Suzanne has edited more than 50 titles in jewelry, ceramics, needle crafts--even poetry. Her business/Twitter is @editorious; see the site at http://editorious.org and tweets via #editorious. you can follow Suzanne's visual interests on Pinterest (pinning as username suzanne33).

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book featured on the shelf in my college library and was fascinated by it to the extent that, having reached my borrowing limit, I returned one of the text books I'd just checked out so that I could get this instead. Hopefully, my assignment won't suffer as a result!

My main issue with this book is that you can only look at the photographs of the cups, when I want to hold them! At least, that is, those which look functional and call out to be touched and cradled in the hand - there are some cups shown which are more sculptural and deliberately non-functional 'works of art'.

Reading this book has brought me to consider just what it is I think a cup should be. As essentials, I want a cup to be able to hold a liquid; to fit in the hand, with or without a handle is fine, but either way it should be at least comfortable to hold, if not pleasurable; the lip of the cup should fit my own such that the transport of liquid from cup to mouth is efficiently conducted. Many of the "cups" here don't fit my criteria: they may (though sometimes they aren't) be beautiful as objects, but fit Wilde's definition of art as being quite useless. The cupness of a cup implies for me functionality.

Of the cups that fulfil my fundamental criteria for functionality, I find I have a hitherto largely unconscious preference based upon shape, proportions and decoration. Shape: I prefer a balanced design, not necessarily symmetrical but certainly not skewed or highly irregular. Proportions: I'm actually less bothered by this, and find myself appreciating a wide range of proportion, though I'd have preferences for certain types for particular drinks which, of course, is generally the potter's intention. What don't I like? Thick rims which feel like they would obtrude upon the act of drinking rather than facilitate it; if it's got a handle, one that's not too small to accommodate fingers. Decoration: Again, it feels easier to say what I don't like, which is flat colours with a high-gloss glaze. There is so much variety on show here that is truly excellent that it's difficult to narrow down an absolute favourite. It would probably be something of medium size, regular in form and with a gently curving line about it somewhere, probably greenish (though I'm also drawn to many of the reds and ochres, too), and perhaps speckled glaze.

In contrast, the cup I'm using as I write this is a mass-produced, off-white mug with the words "blithering idiot" written in blue typeface on the sides, a gift from my children to their tea-addled dad.

[Edie Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a distinct problem with this book. Photographs cannot convey neither touch or the texture of the ceramic. It can’t tell you how the cup feels in your hand. The weight when you lift it. The warm or cold of the liquid inside. The experience of taking a drink.

So when I say I didn’t find most these examples as visually pleasing, that does not reflect on its beauty when put into use.

As far as recommending, I wouldn’t, but that’s based on my taste. The selection, as a whole had very little color and a lot of sameness.

I did like a few cups, particularly those made in the Japanese style. Different readers may enjoy other pieces more than I did.

[Riley Clements · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cup

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this book for inspiration for a surface decoration pottery class I was taking. I love the simplicity of this series of 500 books: they have great pictures and minimal descriptions of the work and materials/methods used.

I was a little underwhelmed by the book's collection, but still found a handful of pieces I really liked and a few artists to look up for more inspiration.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love seeing other people's work and these 500 series by Lark includes wonderful photos of such a wide variety of work. It includes such a convenient range from wild, funky non-functional to simple, beautiful functional forms.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

My constant clay inspiration

[Darcy]

do picture books count? because this one is badass, it came in handy as a source of inspiration when I was a ceramics major in college

[Smellsofbikes · Rating 3 out of 5]

more than a third of these looked like the sculptors had made them with their feet. There were a few beautiful ones.
The least attractive in this series so far.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visual inspiration for potters.

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring examples of beautiful thrown, hand-built and extruded cups.