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Ceramic Art Lesson Plan: Kbach Decoration and Design
Posted By Jake Allee On April 15, 2010 @ 9:50 am In College Level Ceramics Assignments,Education | No Comments
During my recent trip to The Kingdom of Cambodia, I had an opportunity to make work and interact with several Khmer potters at the National Center for Khmer Ceramics Revival (NCKCR) in Siem Reap. While there, I learned more about the approach to three dimensional surface decorations unique to the Khmer culture.
Kbach, a word from the Khmer language, is a term used to describe a wide array of elaborate ornamentation used in Cambodia for the decoration of architecture, woodwork, metalwork, stone carving, and ceramics. Kbach is not a set of design rules, but rather, a system of dividing space used by the ancient Khmers to create original compositions through the language of decoration. As any decorative language, Kbach is at its finest when its basic forms are utilized to create unique design solutions as personal expression through the technical approach. Throughout Khmer history these approaches to ornamental design have been passed down orally through generations of artists. Within the Kbach approach, different styles are characterized by divisions that emphasize the subtractive cuts and spaces contained within the basic shape.
This approach can become very complex when viewing the final product and there are several different styles. I exemplify the basic format through four common shapes (see last page). All of these shapes are abstractions of nature-based imagery and can be described in Western terms, however, we must remember that the names listed are related to Hindu and Buddhist symbolism.
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• Exploring decorative language through four shapes commonly used in the Kbash style.
• Effectively divide the surface of a form and carve repeating patterns consisting of simple but symbolic shapes.
• Learn to create/adapt a tool for multiple uses, and to use various edges on one tool for making several types of marks.
• The basic incising technique demonstrated to me by the Khmer potters of the NCKCR employs the use of a single, all-in-one tool. This tool is made very simply by cutting down a hacksaw blade to a length of 6–7 inches. One end is left square while the other end is cut at an angle and is sharpened like a knife.
• An X-Acto blade works in lieu of the altered hacksaw blade, but it doesn’t express the ingenuity and effort to recycle possessed by the Khmer potters. For lack of a better term, this will be referred to as the “Khmer knife.”
• With this tool and a small set of loop tools of various shapes, you can create very complex bas reliefs in the Kbach style.
Throw, Design, Carve
• Throw a refined form.
• Keep the form created simple so that it does not conflict with the elaborate incising that you’ll create on the surface.
• Draw a horizontal border line on this form wherever it makes sense to you visually. Think about balance, proportion and scale as yo make this decision. This line is a guide to contain the incising. Decide to create the incised pattern either above or below the line, depending on your form. If it makes sense to create two lines and to contain the carving within the band created, do so.
• Take note of the sharp edge or transition between two planes created in the side profile of the form. This edge acts as another guide for the containment of the incised pattern.
• The protruding side profile allows for more emphasis of the decorative technique through side angled cuts into the design area.
• During the leather hard stage, carve one of the shapes in a repeated pattern. Here the basic lotus motif is repeated using the guide lines of the established horizontal marks on the form (figure 1).
• Create the design by scraping with the corner of the square-cut edge of the Khmer knife or an X-Acto knife.
• The character of the mark is dependent upon three factors: pressure applied to the tool, the amount of grog in the clay, and the moisture content of the piece.
• An underlying set of lotus petals is scraped into the basic pattern thus dividing the motif through continuity and creating a sense of depth through implied line (figure 2).
• Continue to emphasize the relief of the design by cutting into the clay, following the outline of the design with the sharpened edge of the knife. Make the cut progressively shallower towards the exterior tip of the lotus petal (figure 3).
• Make a side angled cut: turn the pointed edge of the Khmer knife at an angle so that the flat face of the metal lines up parallel with the surface of the piece (figure 4). Angle the knife 1 or 2 degrees more into the clay to make a thin, horizontal cut on the same plane as the clay surface. Connect the previous outline cuts and remove the newly released piece of clay.
• Repetition of this final step completes the design. Create stylization and refinement of the basic incising technique by rounding the corners of the geometric pattern and adding curves to the initial dividing lines within a given basic motif.
• The combination of these basic motifs leads to exponential possibilities with this type of formal adornment.
• As in all decorative techniques, the combination of speed and accuracy leads to a “fresh” un-labored look. This spontaneous look is one of the virtues of historical Southeast Asian ceramic pieces.
The extensive use of Kbach in Ankor period (9th–13th century) utilitarian ceramics from Cambodia was not common; however, many examples of Kbach on architectural ceramics associated with temples during this period still exist. After the shift of political power to the Southeast during the 13th century, widespread use of high-fire glazes in the region began to decline. The majority of the ceramics produced in Cambodia after this point were low-fired and incorporated more physical surface decoration techniques as described here. Similar decorative techniques can be seen on Cham influenced Vietnamese jars from the Ly and Tran dynasties. The combination of Kbach decorative technique and high fire glaze at the NCKCR ushers in a new era of traditional contemporary ceramics currently being produced in Cambodia.
Jake Allee teaches at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado. To see his work, visit www.jakeallee.com.
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