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I used to contemplate the world ending. Not because I wished for the death of the world rather, I wished for a very specific kind of end. I wasn’t really looking for an apocalypse. I was hoping for a new beginning. My imagined forecast was for a drastic change in society; I longed for a world without electricity. I thought this would make my ceramic skills and knowledge valuable to the imagined, surviving population. I along with my neo-stoneaged collaborators would step in to save humanity from its previous advanced technology. Suddenly, people would rediscover eye contact, the richness of analog and the satisfaction of making something with their own hands.
This future fantasy narrative has guided my choices as I make work. As a result of my continued commitment to working in clay and my goals of saving the world through archaic technology, my objects land somewhere between sculpture and functional craft. Moreover, I employ ceramics for seemingly impossible and paradoxical functions of its material, as witnessed in my ceramic blankets, boats and grappling hooks. My objects are not only meant to imply use - the boat actually floats, the “Rock and Roll Skateboard” literally rocks and rolls - but the operation of my objects is a vital part of my practice and has thrown my relatively traditional ceramics into the category of performance.
I no longer wish for an end. I have a new hope. I see people reconsidering technology and industry. Localism and sustainable practices are seeping into the collective conscience. These ideas are becoming more practical than radical. My art practice aligns itself with this renaissance of considerate, productive, self sustaining community. In short, I’m searching for a new utility.
This future fantasy narrative has guided my choices as I make work. As a result of my continued commitment to working in clay and my goals of saving the world through archaic technology, my objects land somewhere between sculpture and functional craft. Moreover, I employ ceramics for seemingly impossible and paradoxical functions of its material, as witnessed in my ceramic blankets, boats and grappling hooks. My objects are not only meant to imply use - the boat actually floats, the “Rock and Roll Skateboard” literally rocks and rolls - but the operation of my objects is a vital part of my practice and has thrown my relatively traditional ceramics into the category of performance.
I no longer wish for an end. I have a new hope. I see people reconsidering technology and industry. Localism and sustainable practices are seeping into the collective conscience. These ideas are becoming more practical than radical. My art practice aligns itself with this renaissance of considerate, productive, self sustaining community. In short, I’m searching for a new utility.
1. Boatlandia
Exploration of the James river in a Terracotta boat. Moored of the shore of an unknown island.
2. Boatlandia
Exploration of the James river in a terracotta boat. Pilot navigating the river bank. 2010, 3’ x 3’ x 5’, Terracotta and discovered environment
Boatlandia Project from Gian Pierotti on Vimeo.
3. Boatlandia
Documentation of conversion from boat to dwelling.
2010, 3’ x 3’ x 5’, Terracotta and discovered environment
4. My Arsenal
2010, Terracotta, Porcelain, Installation view
5. Grappling Hook
Detail
2010, 8” x 8” x 10’, Terracotta, Glaze
6. Power Rock
Object made for the group show Doomslangers.
2010, 12” x 12” x 4”, Cast Porcelain, Glaze, (prototype milled foam on a CNC machine)
7. Power Stick
Object made for the group show Doomslangers.
2010, 6” x 4” x 11” Hand Built Porcelain, Glaze
8. Portable Structure
Project using fired clay and sticks as a structure
2010, 5’ x 5’ x 5’, Terracotta, Found Branches
9. Portable Structure
Project using fired clay and sticks as a structure (detail)
2010, 5’ x 5’ x 5’, Terracotta, Found Branches
10. Perambulate
Sculpture
2010, 3’x 3’ x 3’, Cast Porcelain and carved, found and altered table.
11. Perambulate
Sculpture
2010, 3’x 3’ x 3’, Cast Porcelain and carved, found and altered table. (detail)
12. Mobile Firing Unit
Kiln, Hearth, Oven, A gathering place for food warmth and community. Documentation of use
2011, 6’ x 4’ x 3’, Stoneware, Glaze, Fire, Cart
13. A Voice form the Dust
Installation view of Thesis Exhibition
14. Crawdaddy Trap and Blanket
Crawdaddy Trap: 2011, 8” x 8’ x 12”, Thrown stoneware, Glaze
Blanket: 2011, 3’ x 5’ x 5’ Terracotta, Twist Ties, Glaze
15. Structure encampment
Tools used for survival
2011, 4’ x 5’ x 5’, Found Branches, Terracotta, Wheat Grass from Food Storage
16. Mobile Firing Unit
Sculpture with evidence of use
2011, 6’ x 4’ x 3’, Stoneware, Glaze, Cart
17. Mini Planters
Product for plants.
2012, 1” x 3” x 2”, Cast Porcelain, Dirt, Succulents
18. Rolling Rock
A rolling vessel for an urban lifestyle
2012, 2’ x 1.5” x 3”, Terracotta, Glaze, Skateboard Parts
19. Rolling Rock
A rolling vessel for an urban lifestyle (detail)
2012, 2’ x 1.5” x 3”, Terracotta, Glaze, Skateboard Parts
I Will Always Love You from Gian Pierotti on Vimeo.
THE GIF THAT KEEPS ON GIF’ING
Explanation:
As the internet expands and evolves, its relevance to contemporary art and visual culture becomes more obvious. To consider the Gif as an art medium is a relatively new idea. It has taken on its own visual language. The challenge is to combine established aesthetic theories and ways of working in art with the unrestricted world of the internet. This assignment will also introduce iMovie and Photoshop to the student.
Requirements:
Make three Gif’s
-1st Gif will be around 10 seconds
-2nd Gif will be near the 4 second mark
-3rd Gif will be 2 seconds or less
There are many different kinds of Gifs. The Standard Gif is your basic movie clip on repeat. Cinemagraphs are still images having only a part of the image animated. Stereoscopic Gifs also known as Wiggle images are two still images combined to create a 3D image.
-The student is required to make two of the three listed above.
Image sources and authorship are important considerations with this assignment. Video that is public domain may be used. Developing your own content to source from is highly encouraged.
Ceramic Systems Project.
Create work were the sum is greater than its parts. You can stack arrange or display the objects however you like. You must fill a three foot cubed volume of space for your presented work.
Mask Project and Performance
Intermediate students final mask project. Summer 2011
Objective: Make a ceramics mask to be worn on the last day of class.
Explanation:
As the internet expands and evolves, its relevance to contemporary art and visual culture becomes more obvious. To consider the Gif as an art medium is a relatively new idea. It has taken on its own visual language. The challenge is to combine established aesthetic theories and ways of working in art with the unrestricted world of the internet. This assignment will also introduce iMovie and Photoshop to the student.
Requirements:
Make three Gif’s
-1st Gif will be around 10 seconds
-2nd Gif will be near the 4 second mark
-3rd Gif will be 2 seconds or less
There are many different kinds of Gifs. The Standard Gif is your basic movie clip on repeat. Cinemagraphs are still images having only a part of the image animated. Stereoscopic Gifs also known as Wiggle images are two still images combined to create a 3D image.
-The student is required to make two of the three listed above.
Image sources and authorship are important considerations with this assignment. Video that is public domain may be used. Developing your own content to source from is highly encouraged.
Ceramic Systems Project.
Create work were the sum is greater than its parts. You can stack arrange or display the objects however you like. You must fill a three foot cubed volume of space for your presented work.
Mask Project and Performance
Intermediate students final mask project. Summer 2011
Objective: Make a ceramics mask to be worn on the last day of class.
2011 VCU Beginning Ceramics from Gian Pierotti on Vimeo.
(801) 310-5250 / gianpietro@gmail.com / g1an.tumblr.com
Born 1975, Provo UT
Education
2011 Masters of Fine Art from Virginia Commonwealth University
2009 Bachelors of Fine Art from Brigham Young University
Academic Teaching Experience
2013 VCU Art Foundations, Time Studio
2012 Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Ceramics and Gardening
2009-2012 VCU Art Foundations, Ceramics Project Class
2011 VCU Craft and Material Studies, Beginning Ceramics
Grants and Awards
2010 VCU Graduate Thesis Assistantship
2009 SCHEV Scholarship, VCU
2008 Jurors Choice Award BYU Student Art Show
2008 Jurors Choice Award Vera Mayhew Hinkley Contest
2008 Max Weber Grant
2008 Visual Arts Talent Award, BYU
2007 Visual Arts Talent Award, BYU
Exhibition Record
2012 Bizarre Market Holiday, Chop Suey Book, Richmond VA
2012 The White Horse Prophecy, HPGRP Gallery, New York City NY
2012 De-Natured, Hodson Gallery at Hood College, Fredrick MD
2012 FUTURE PWR DWN = PWR UP, ADA Gallery Richmond VA
2011 Free Form Film Series Presents, People Watch People: The Human Animal as Performer and Documentarian, Utah Museum of Fine Art, Salt lake City UT
2011 A voice from the Dust, Anderson Gallery, Richmond VA
2011 Doomslangers, Utah Central Arts Center, Ephraim UT
2010 Doomslangers, Allegra LaViola Gallery, New York NY
2010 Which Craft, VCU Candidacy show, Richmond VA
2010 Amble, ADA Gallery, Richmond VA
2009 NCECA Regional Student Juried Exhibition, Tempe Art Center AZ
2008 What Art ought To Be, Sego Art Center, Provo UT
2008 Murcielago, Central Utah Arts Center, Ephraim UT
2008 Lamborghinis, Sacs and The Senior Captain of the Wilderness Brethren, Sego Arts Center, Provo UT
2007 337 Project, Salt Lake City UT
2005 Combine, Women’s Art Center, Salt Lake City UT (collaboration)
2005 Semi-Permanent Art and Design Conference, Book Publication, Sydney Australia
2005 Midwife Crisis, Multimedia Performance, Velour, Provo UT
Gallery Representation
ADA Gallery, Richmond VA
Technical Abilities
Ceramics: Hand Building with multiple techniques including the process invented by Jun Kaneko, Wheel Throwing, Glaze Testing and formulation, Many varied Glaze Applications (laser decals, printmaking on clay, spray application, clean dipping, luster) Atmospheric firing, Plaster mold making, Slip Casting, Kiln Building, Kiln Design
Digital: Adobe Creative Suite, Garage Band, iMovie, Google Sketchup (3D design), Rhino (3D design), Milling on a CNC machine, Microsoft Office, Some HTML
Printmaking: Wood Cut, Linoleum Cut, Screen Printing, Digital Printing
Painting: Oil Painting, Watercolor, Air Brushing, Spray Painting
Metal Smithing: Welding, (Mig, Tig, Oxy Acetylene) Forge work
Born 1975, Provo UT
Education
2011 Masters of Fine Art from Virginia Commonwealth University
2009 Bachelors of Fine Art from Brigham Young University
Academic Teaching Experience
2013 VCU Art Foundations, Time Studio
2012 Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Ceramics and Gardening
2009-2012 VCU Art Foundations, Ceramics Project Class
2011 VCU Craft and Material Studies, Beginning Ceramics
Grants and Awards
2010 VCU Graduate Thesis Assistantship
2009 SCHEV Scholarship, VCU
2008 Jurors Choice Award BYU Student Art Show
2008 Jurors Choice Award Vera Mayhew Hinkley Contest
2008 Max Weber Grant
2008 Visual Arts Talent Award, BYU
2007 Visual Arts Talent Award, BYU
Exhibition Record
2012 Bizarre Market Holiday, Chop Suey Book, Richmond VA
2012 The White Horse Prophecy, HPGRP Gallery, New York City NY
2012 De-Natured, Hodson Gallery at Hood College, Fredrick MD
2012 FUTURE PWR DWN = PWR UP, ADA Gallery Richmond VA
2011 Free Form Film Series Presents, People Watch People: The Human Animal as Performer and Documentarian, Utah Museum of Fine Art, Salt lake City UT
2011 A voice from the Dust, Anderson Gallery, Richmond VA
2011 Doomslangers, Utah Central Arts Center, Ephraim UT
2010 Doomslangers, Allegra LaViola Gallery, New York NY
2010 Which Craft, VCU Candidacy show, Richmond VA
2010 Amble, ADA Gallery, Richmond VA
2009 NCECA Regional Student Juried Exhibition, Tempe Art Center AZ
2008 What Art ought To Be, Sego Art Center, Provo UT
2008 Murcielago, Central Utah Arts Center, Ephraim UT
2008 Lamborghinis, Sacs and The Senior Captain of the Wilderness Brethren, Sego Arts Center, Provo UT
2007 337 Project, Salt Lake City UT
2005 Combine, Women’s Art Center, Salt Lake City UT (collaboration)
2005 Semi-Permanent Art and Design Conference, Book Publication, Sydney Australia
2005 Midwife Crisis, Multimedia Performance, Velour, Provo UT
Gallery Representation
ADA Gallery, Richmond VA
Technical Abilities
Ceramics: Hand Building with multiple techniques including the process invented by Jun Kaneko, Wheel Throwing, Glaze Testing and formulation, Many varied Glaze Applications (laser decals, printmaking on clay, spray application, clean dipping, luster) Atmospheric firing, Plaster mold making, Slip Casting, Kiln Building, Kiln Design
Digital: Adobe Creative Suite, Garage Band, iMovie, Google Sketchup (3D design), Rhino (3D design), Milling on a CNC machine, Microsoft Office, Some HTML
Printmaking: Wood Cut, Linoleum Cut, Screen Printing, Digital Printing
Painting: Oil Painting, Watercolor, Air Brushing, Spray Painting
Metal Smithing: Welding, (Mig, Tig, Oxy Acetylene) Forge work
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