Dear Kunde:

Each piece is what it is. Whether of not you classify it as an art or a craft depends on how you define these categories. The conceptual frontier between them is quite blurry.

The material and technique used to create an object are not sufficient in themselves to assign the object to one category or another; other aspects of the piece, and of the impact of the piece in the experience of the people interacting with it, must be taken into account.

Best regards,

David

Dear Kunde,

The spirit behind.

Artists, craftsmen, collectors, buyers may argue of what that is. The spirit behind the process is the genuine intention of what craft-artefact is.  Soetsu Yanagi (1949, 1972), a Japanese crafts writer deeply discussed the difference of folk craft (mingei) and fine art craft through his many writings.

Check out this links.

Soetsu, Yanagi. "The unknown craftsman." (1972): 194.

Yanagi, M. (1949). Folk-crafts in Japan (No. 2). Kokusai Bunka Shinkokai (Society for International Cultural Relations).

Regards,

Deny

@ David and Deny, your contributions are quite valuable to the analysis of my work. I am studying the contemporary ceramic works of Dajo Pottery, a Nigerian base ceramic company which has won International awards for the quality of its designs and interesting forms. One of the study's core objectives is to categorically group the works under analytical themes, particularly if they should be considered as "art works" or "craft". My supervisory team wants me take a stand and that is my concern. I NEED MORE REACTIONS TO ASSIST ME LOOK AT THE WORKS IN OTHER DIMENSIONS; EVEN IF IT IS BEYOND "ART" OR CRAFT"

How sad that a western definition of "taste" has encumbered us with this divisive language art vs. craft, fine art vs. utility.  The (art-ificial) division seems merely to be man's secret attempt to elevate himself through assigning attributes to the object.  Read Kant's The Judgment of Taste. Read Aristotle's Poetics. Even Heidegger succumbs to such a division in "The Origin of the Work of Art."  But then consider Joseph Beuy's work "How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare."

A hammer, finely crafted and utilitarian in shape, material, and balance, might still strike one as je ne sais quoi "beautiful." The line, the metal sheen, the wood grain, the feel... we are sensual creatures, and we sometimes connect to that which provokes our senses. Whether an item is Art or Craft is subjective, dependent on one's historicity (this includes culture, of course) plus presentness (how receptive one is at the moment to the forms that a work opens).

Thanks a lot  D.A. B. your contribution is superb and I am still trying to access the materials suggested. God bless you.

Here you go, Kunde.  Sorry, I mis-titled Kant's book in my flush of answering.

My DAB, I found your materials to be very interesting and useful; not only for the purpose of my current research, but also for other analysis involving form and content of art. You made my day and I am very grateful. Thanks once again, Lady DAB. I appreciate.

Hello Kunde, I have visited Dajo Pottery in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, and met Levi Yakubu. When you watch how they create the pieces, you see craftsmanship at work and when you visit the store to view the finished work, you see art - all in the space of an afternoon. It is therefore difficult to be categorical about their ceramic pieces - they appeared to be craft when being created and art when being displayed. I would explore provenance and purpose of specific pieces in attempting to make this distinction with regard to Dajo Pottery. A chat with Yakubu and buyers of his ceramics would help. (As aside: Yakubu locked us individually in his store and allowed us to pick one piece to take home. I gifted mine to a client of mine. It was not only very well crafted, but when he put it in the same room containing a large oil painting, it looked like art.)

It is both art and Crafts

Kunde:

Some dimensions to consider for the study of art objects are the following:

- cultural context,

- stylistic considerations,

- symbolic content,

- formal aspects (design),

- materials and techniques involved in production,

- aesthetic impact.

The last dimension usually reflects the sum of the others, and would help to establish a global evaluation of the objects. On a personal level, one can describe what one feels. For a wider sample, some sort of survey could be applied to visitors to an exhibition; alternatively, one could expose people to the pieces in a controlled setting and record their reactions in various ways, depending on the research objectives.

a)Categorization may create based on

-  Color- (dark  or light)

-  theme -( traditional or modern), aesthetic or imaginary 

-  Utility / display position - ( showpiece on wall, corner piece, central piece, central       piece of table, a art piece)

-  same art different artist, different artist - similar concept

b) it should be seen as craft on shape/ body / dimension basis keep in mind looks and display position. It should be seen as art on theme, concept, color on body of article. 

Categorization:

(1) Thematic design it holds: nature, abstract, geometry, symbols, cultural elements, impressionistic, etc.

(2) Utilization and target of using: for decoration (on the ground, walls).  If it is on the ground it needs to be more sustainable, more affordable; Semi-permanent indoor, outdoor: that need to consider the environment effect, or it will be used for another purposes (e.g.in kitchens), or it will be inside hospitals (that need more sustainable, more safe)

(3) Colours: connected to culture, bright, light, neutral, nature colours, etc.

(4) Types of materials: safe, sustainable, provide aesthetics, economic, etc.

According if it can be defined as a craft or art, I think both….however, you sometimes find people who are gorgeous and are talented in craft but they are not an artist. However, art and knowledge are important to support craft and makes it more productive.

It depends on what they are:

Art does not present itself as the end game. You do not look at a painting to see paint on a canvas. You look at a painting to see the image it portrays.

Crafts are conversly self reflective: you look at a table to put something on it.

Art is an object that makes an intellectual statement but that has no intrinsic use. Craft create objects of practical use that do not make an intrinsic intellectual statement.

This, by the way, does not infer the superiority of the one over the other. Your last batch of baby pictures are art, just as the Apocalyse Tapestry at Angers is a craft. Architecture is a glorious craft.

if the modern ceramics you refer to ar designed for a use, then they are craft works. if they are destined solely for display, thne they ar works of art. In the first case the use of ceramics is central to understanding the object; in the second  case, it is peripheral.

Francis: The functional/nonfunctional distinction is certainly one criterion that has been used to classify objects as "art" or "craft." I don't think it is sufficient, however, for two reasons: (1) the border between these conceptual categories is very blurry; and (2) it doesn't take aesthetics --the impact of the object in the observer-- into account, and this for me outweighs functionality/nonfunctionality.

@ Havi, I found your contribution to be very interesting. Not only because it is an invaluable information to my research progress but also for the fact that, you (as a person) has visited the pottery center and had a "one-on-one" experience with Dajo pottery designs. When the research is complete and i decide to make a publication of my findings, i beg to share your views to the public, particularly in respect of your comment on this issue. Although your views are personal, they are as well very important and original within the context of my research. Sorry for the late late reply. it is because of other academic commitments in my institutions. Thank you

@ Rawa, Francis and David, Your comments are highly appreciated. Thank your for your  contributions to my research. God Bless You all.

You are welcome, Kunde. I wish you success with your project.

You are welcome David, good luck

...ceramics as a craft not an art, and art pottery is not craft because it has language, meaning and artistic message.