HARRISON LEVENSTEIN

RED LODGE, Montana, USA

There have been two shifts in my focus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine. Both have been from out to in. The first, a shift from immersion in the natural environment to the domestic; the second, a cerebral shift from outside myself to within.

When I work with clay, I’m often attempting to honor aspects of the particular natural environment that I find myself in. The shapes of leaves and flower bulbs, the patterns and textures in the snow, or the drama of a fiery sunset. Never in my adult life have I spent so much time indoors, day after day, as I have during the lockdown. As a result, I’ve found myself noticing the beauty in the details of my domestic habitat. I’m grateful to be surrounded by handmade pots, and able to use these beautiful objects that pose questions and encourage contemplation. It has made very clear the enriching value of the work that artists and craftspeople bring to daily life.

The second shift has been from the space outside myself, to the space within. Having been furloughed from my day jobs as well as cut off from my studio, I could easily become quite stressed about my prospects for the future. However, I’ve made a conscious decision to appreciate the enforced slowing-down of my life. Without the typical to-dos, errands, and deadlines, I’m allowing my focus to shift to the subtle spaces within me. Where does the mind go when severed from routine?

BIO: harrison levenstein

Harrison Levenstein is a ceramic artist living and working in the United States. At 27 years old, he has over ten years of experience with clay, trained formally at Humboldt State University, and practically through long-term apprenticeships with professional working potters. A California native with a tendency to roam, Harry has traveled extensively in pursuit of the growth of his person and ceramic practice. For six months in 2019, he lived and worked in Southern India as an artist in residence and instructor at the Golden Bridge Pottery in Pondicherry. There he continued his wood firing and native materials research, and explored new ways of working with clay. Harry is currently a short-term artist-in-residence at the Red Lodge Clay Center in southwestern Montana, USA. He is best known for his atmospherically fired, functional pottery and his blog, Chop Water, Carry Wood.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

gettincentered@gmail.com

www.harrylevensteinpottery.com

@harrison_lev

harrison.levenstein

rate of affection

Harrison Levenstein nominates Lauryn Axelrod