Nurturing “Commonplace” Objects

Ceramic artist Ryan Takaba’s works are currently on display in the Artist Hall exhibit, Commonplace: Objects by Barbara Smith and Ryan Takaba. His “Mums and Water” series is a collection of organic and delicate porcelain bud vases that mount to the wall, holding green mum flowers. To sustain these simple flowers, each vase must be carefully filled with water several times a week, as it holds only a small amount. The vases are linked by the stems of the plants, which serve as carriers for tiny drops of water to flow to another vase, creating a unique and visually interesting watering system.

Ryan Takaba, On to Heaviness.
Porcelain, mums, water, steel pins. 2010
Photo by: Mark Menjivar.

Takaba is interested in the delicate nature of these objects and their use in a common process of watering plants. His work allows the viewer to contemplate this somewhat mundane activity and also serves as a reminder of those moments in our daily lives that are so often deemed unimportant or overlooked because they are simple.

Ryan Takaba, Detail: On to Heaviness.
Porcelain, mums, water, steel pins. 2010
Photo by: Mark Menjivar.

So, while the works are on view, HCCC staff will be watering the mums on a regular basis—observing and documenting what happens during the process and any changes that may occur. Because this simple act is an integral part of Takaba’s concept, we are helping to complete his idea.

--Ashley Powell, HCCC Curatorial Assistant.

Ryan Takaba piece, photo by Ashley Powell using the Hipstamatic iPhone application.

Ryan Takaba's “Mums and Water” series updates:

• Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 2:30 PM: 3 - 4 drops of water added to vases
• Wednesday, February 16, 2011 @ 4:00 PM: 6 drops of water added to vases
• Tuesday, February 22, 2011 @ 2:30 PM:  6 - 8 drops of water added to vases
• Thursday, February 24, 2011 @ 2:43 PM:  Mums replaced and vases re-filled
• Tuesday, March, 1 2011 @ 4:40 PM: Mums watered, 6 drops each
• Tuesday, March, 8 2011: Mums watered @ 5:00 PM
• Friday, March, 18 2011: Mums replaced and watered
• Wednesday, March, 23 2011: Mums watered @ 2:43 PM
• Friday, March, 25 2011: Mums watered @ 3:00 PM
• Wednesday, March, 30 2011: Mums watered @ 3:00 PM