Dear Student,
自我陶造
每一門藝術都有其入門的技巧。陶瓷作品的入門技巧就是尋找中心點 (Centering) ，即是將一舊不規則的泥完全平均地分佈在不停轉動的轉盤上 (左圖)。這個步驟若出錯，以後要做到好的作品就會困難重重，事半功倍。Centering 的時候不可心急，落手要準，用力要剛剛好，要好專注，Centering 的時間可能在五至十分鐘以內，否則泥土就會疲累。在Centering 的過程中你會深入了解泥土的特質、性格及情緒。她會靜靜地告訴你如何陶造她成為怎樣的器皿或作品。這是藝術家與泥土溝通的重要過程，別人無法參與意見，只有藝術家在滿手泥水之際，與泥土融合，造就了獨一無二的作品 (右圖)。生命的陶造，何嘗不是以尋找中心點 (Centering) 為起點呢？當你的人生混亂一片的時候，不妨靜定下來，試試尋找那中心點，你的內心可能會慢慢地告訴你生命的方向及遠境，繼續專注吧，即使現在滿身泥濘，但你將會是獨一無二的。
Every art has its own technique. In ceramics, the art of Centering is a process of spreading an irregular piece of clay evenly over a rotating turntable (left). If you make a mistake in this step, it will be very difficult to achieve a good piece of work even if you work twice as hard. You must not be in a hurry, you must be precise, and you must concentrate and apply just the right amount of pressure. Centering can only occur for five to ten minutes, otherwise the clay will become “fatigued.” During Centering, you will learn more about the clay’s character, personality and emotion. She will quietly tell you how to make her into an art piece. This is an important process of communication between the artist and the clay, where no one else can interfere. With hands full of clay, the artist blends with the clay to create a unique piece of work (right). Is it not the case that the meaning of life begins with Centering? When your life is in chaos, try to calm down and find the Centering point. Your heart may then reveal to you the direction and vision of your life.
