BFA Thesis Exhibit

Briana Shifflett

Artist Statement

On average a human brain processes around the speed of 60 bits per second. It takes time to decide what letters sound like, what letters make the right words, what words make proper sentences, and how that applies to the conversation. My body of work explores that topic by combining ceramics with sound.  
 
The ceramics are made using pre and post consumer materials by scavenging for materials in studio troughs, waste bins, and forgotten storage. Each piece contains broken pottery, shattered pieces of ceramic, or molds. The sounds consist of a mix between various absent and recognizable noises. Each sound plays between 7-22 minutes long allowing the sounds to alternate what's being played at any given time. Using these techniques together creates a space for the brain to think, listen, and create a new experience every time.
Small ceramic humanoid creature with bright multi colored glazes sitting on a tall wooden stand. Click to view Small ceramic humanoid creature with bright multi colored glazes sitting on a tall wooden stand. Full-Screen

Humanoid Compost // Ceramic, Glaze, Wooden Stand, Wire // 11 x 11 x 22 inches

Tall pointed cone made from recycled ceramics, dripping in bright multi colored glazes. Sitting on a medium height medal stand. Click to view Tall pointed cone made from recycled ceramics, dripping in bright multi colored glazes. Sitting on a medium height medal stand. Full-Screen

Dripping Beauty // Ceramic, Glaze, Medal Stand, Wire // 14 x 14 x 25 inches

Four tall pointed cones made from recycled ceramics, covered in bright multi colored glazes. Sitting on cheese boxes that alternate between low and tall heights. Each piece plays a sound that uses nostalgic and absent noises. Click to view Four tall pointed cones made from recycled ceramics, covered in bright multi colored glazes. Sitting on cheese boxes that alternate between low and tall heights. Each piece plays a sound that uses nostalgic and absent noises. Full-Screen

Pre-Remnant Whispers // Ceramic, Glaze, Cheese Boxes, Sound // 13 x 13 x 24 inches

Two long pointed cones made from recycled ceramics, covered in bright multi colored glazes wired together at the base. Laying on two boxes covered with black cloth at each end. Click to view Two long pointed cones made from recycled ceramics, covered in bright multi colored glazes wired together at the base. Laying on two boxes covered with black cloth at each end. Full-Screen

Hold on Tight // Ceramic, Glaze, Wooden Boxes, Wire, Black Cloth // 52 x 14 x 14 inches

Almost six foot ceramic cone made from recycled ceramics, covered in bright multi colored glazes and washed with raw clay. Sitting on an hexagonal wooden stand well playing a sound that uses speeches, poems, and nostalgic noises structured together. Click to view Almost six foot ceramic cone made from recycled ceramics, covered in bright multi colored glazes and washed with raw clay. Sitting on an hexagonal wooden stand well playing a sound that uses speeches, poems, and nostalgic noises structured together. Full-Screen

Restructured Monologue // Ceramic, Glaze, Wooden Stand, Wire, Sound // 28 x 16 x 70 inches

Raw square shaped ceramic holding up miscellaneous objects. Click to view Raw square shaped ceramic holding up miscellaneous objects. Full-Screen

Blanket Statement // Raw Ceramic, Miscellaneous Objects // 29 x 25 x 18 inches

Raw ceramic face with a lamp stand as the body, sitting on top a wooden stand. Playing various altered sounds of people discussing issues within America today mixed with nostalgic and absent noises. Click to view Raw ceramic face with a lamp stand as the body, sitting on top a wooden stand. Playing various altered sounds of people discussing issues within America today mixed with nostalgic and absent noises. Full-Screen

Novacane Faces and Minimum Wages // Ceramic, Glaze, Wooden Stand, Wire, Sound // 6 x 6 x 23 inches

Restructured Monologue  // Ceramic, Glaze, Wooden Stand, Wire, Sound  //  28 x 16 x 70 inches and 0:23:00

Pre-Remnant Whispers // Ceramic, Glaze, Cheese Boxes, Sound // 13 x 13 x 24 inches and 0:21:27

Novacane Faces and Minimum Wages // Ceramic, Glaze, Wooden Stand, Wire, Sound // 6 x 6 x 23 inches and 0:12:23