The natural and man-made worlds are full of geometry, from the honeycomb to the architecture of a city. For this project, you will explore the formal language of geometric shapes, patterns, and structures. Your goal is to create a ceramic piece—either a functional vessel or a non-functional sculpture—that is inspired by these geometric and architectural characteristics.

This project is an opportunity to use either handbuilding or throwing.

Handbuilding students might focus on constructing sculptures with crisp edges, intersecting planes, and sharp angles. You could build complex, multi-part forms from slabs or create a piece that uses repeating geometric patterns to build a larger structure.

Throwing students could create crisp, symmetrical vessels and then alter them with sharp facets, clean lines, or intricate surface decoration. This approach allows you to explore the contrast between the fluid, organic motion of the wheel and the rigid, structured world of geometry.

Consider these guiding concepts as you develop your piece:

Form and Plane: How can you use flat planes to create a three-dimensional form? Think about how shapes can intersect, overlap, or contain negative space.

Repetition and Pattern: Explore the use of repeating shapes to create rhythm or visual movement. This could be a repeated pattern on the surface or a series of identical forms arranged in a composition.

Contrast and Alteration: You might contrast a perfect, circular form with a sharp, angular detail, or intentionally alter a thrown vessel to break its symmetry and introduce a new, geometric element.

Ultimately, this project is about the dialogue between the intellectual world of geometry, the structure of the built architectural world we live in, and the tactile, organic nature of clay.