Role of craft practice in changing glass working traditions : the formation of glass vessels in the Classical and Hellenistic Mediterranean world
This study combines a theoretical modelling of dexterity with a practical apprenticeship in glass-working in order to examine a group of core-formed glass alabastra from Mediterranean Group I (c.525 to c.400 BCE). Core-formed vessels were made by forming glass around an internal mould which was scraped out after the vessel had cooled. The core-forming tradition lasted from c.1500 BCE until c.100 BCE. Mediterranean Group I is of interest because of the wide variety of consistency displayed in body shaping, rim and handle making, and decoration. To understand this variety it was necessary to undertake a theoretical and practical investigation of skill. The theoretical investigation revealed that skill has been conventionally analysed in terms of knowledge. This cognition-based analysis ignores the dimension of moving, specifically of the skilled gesture and the process of becoming dexterous. The practical apprenticeship demonstrated that this process, as a kinaesthetic experience, is value-positive - that is to say, it gives rise to value judgements on artefact feature, gesture in synergy with tools and materials, and craft working behaviour. This remodelling of skill allows one to form a gestural as opposed
Liardet, Frances
Role of craft practice in changing glass working traditions : the formation of glass vessels in the Classical and Hellenistic Mediterranean world. This study combines a theoretical modelling of dexterity with a practical apprenticeship in glass-working in order to examine a group of core-formed glass alabastra from Mediterranean Group I (c.525 to c.400 BCE). Core-formed vessels were made by forming glass around an internal mould which was scraped out after the vessel had cooled. The core-forming tradition lasted from c.1500 BCE until c.100 BCE. Mediterranean Group I is of interest because of the wide variety of consistency displayed in body shaping, rim and handle making, and decoration. To understand this variety it was necessary to undertake a theoretical and practical investigation of skill. The theoretical investigation revealed that skill has been conventionally analysed in terms of knowledge. This cognition-based analysis ignores the dimension of moving, specifically of the skilled gesture and the process of becoming dexterous. The practical apprenticeship demonstrated that this process, as a kinaesthetic experience, is value-positive - that is to say, it gives rise to value judgements on artefact feature, gesture in synergy with tools and materials, and craft working behaviour. This remodelling of skill allows one to form a gestural as opposed
role craft_practice change glass work tradition formation glass_vessel classical_hellenistic mediterranean_world study combine theoretical_model practical apprenticeship glass working order_examine group core formed glass mediterranean group core formed vessel make form glass around internal mould vessel cool core forming tradition last mediterranean group interest wide_variety consistency display body shaping handle making decoration variety necessary undertake theoretical_practical investigation skill theoretical investigation reveal skill conventionally analysed term knowledge cognition based_analysis ignores dimension move specifically skilled gesture process become practical apprenticeship demonstrate process experience value positive say give_rise value judgement artefact feature gesture synergy tool material craft work behaviour skill allow form gestural oppose