moon jar I believe - NO. 02

우린 밖을 보는 데에만 너무 익숙해
We’re so used to look only outward,

내 안에 은하수가 있는데
when the galaxy is inside me

translation : Doolset lyrics

Hand build ceramic moon jar with floating blue glaze over dark brown tenmoku glaze. Tenmoku glazes originate from 10th -11th century China. These glazes can be found in colours from dark plum, to yellow, to brown, to black. The blue glaze on top gives the moon jars the feeling you look into the galaxy.

The bottom part of the moon jar is unglazed, raw and textured. The brown terracotta clay I used has a lot of grog that gives it a less polished look.

The title of these moon jars are the same as one of RM's early songs "I believe". a song about believing in yourself. Something I need to remind myself of too often. 

Please be aware of the fact that my moon jars are not perfect. The moon jar was the Korean symbol for beauty at the end of the 17th century. Their organic shape and (originally) milky white color resembles the moon. The asymmetrical shape is formed by two halves that are joined in the middle. The seam, cracks, color differences and the irregular shape are left visual to accentuate the human touch and to show the craftsmanship.

Koreans believe that beauty comes with imperfection and humility. "If you are searching for beauty, you will not find it. Not searching for beauty is beauty."

dimensions: height 10 cm x width 9 cm
my moon jars weights between 230 and 280 grams
date of work: 2024
medium: hand build stoneware (dishwasher safe)
non food safe glaze
firing: raw fired, electric