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elaymade · 11 years

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BEN MEDANSKY CERAMICS

Local ceramicist Ben Medansky is one of the most genuinely happy and talented people we have met. His exuberance for his craft is so strong that you can’t help but get excited when talking to him. His pieces are 'functional wares' with a great sense of humor and a distinct style all his own. In his words, "...because of this post-depression era we are in, it’s easier to sell something that is actually useful, but I also want my friends and family to be able to own nice ceramics." That certainly makes sense to us! Just because we're all pinching pennies these days, doesn't mean we have to settle for quality and style. Ben graciously invited us to tour his studio in a big, artist collective warehouse in Glassell Park. We mused over his comical and beautiful designs while learning about the fascinating ceramics process.

A+A: Can you tell us a little about you and how you started your business?

B: I started this company in May of last year. I moved out to LA from Chicago after graduating from The Chicago Art Institute. I worked for the ceramic artist Peter Shire in Echo Park. He does a lot of Op[tical] art, bright colors and shapes- think Michelle Tanner's bed sheets on Full House! I learned so much from him about how to successfully run a studio and be a genuinely happy artist. He was always bringing people into the space and constantly making something new. When I started my studio, I knew that was how I wanted to run it as well.

A+A: Can you describe your ceramics in 3 words or less?

B: Honestly made.

A+A: What drew you to ceramics as opposed to other mediums?

B: I’ve worked with almost every medium, from wood to metal, to ceramics and plaster. I’ve painted, and even worked with plastics, but something about ceramics just stuck. Sometimes, I think maybe it’s because I played with silly putty so much as a kid!

I also like that there isn't much math involved. Ceramics is more about physics; even if I do something 100 times, the 101st time it still might end up being different. That excites me! I’ll put something into the kiln and think, “this is going to be the best piece ever” and when it comes out, it may end up being more like my 9th best piece ever. It’s fun and exciting and challenges me. It keeps me eager and wanting to do more.

A+A: Wow. So it's sounds like a piece can really change a lot in the kiln. Can you tell us a little about that process?

B: It goes through a process called quartz conversion where it actually turns the mud into crystal. Ceramics are actually one of the strongest materials- it’s what spaceships are made out of! It’s brittle, so we don’t use it to build buildings anymore, but it can withstand intense heat and pressure. To give you more of an idea, steel is a 5 on the hardness scale, a diamond is a 10 and ceramics are right in between at an 8.

A+A: Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve made so far?

B: It’s kind of like having children, you can’t choose a favorite. Or if you do, you don’t tell anyone! Sometimes when I’m working in the studio it feels like I have a bunch of crying babies all around me because the pieces are all drying at different times. I’m constantly going around and checking on the different stages of each piece. Usually its around 30-40 pieces a day.

A+A: Where are your pieces sold around town?

B: Hemingway and Pickett in Silver Lake, IKO IKO on Fairfax and 12345 in downtown. My latest collection was released on February 14th and I’m taking it on a 'west coast tour' with my dog to go introduce myself and my collection to new retailers. I think it's a unique and personal way of doing business.

A+A: Why did you choose to do this here in LA as opposed to another city?

B: I was working for a company, doing overseas production and selling in the wholesale market, so I got to travel all over the US. Through my travels, that I discovered that LA had the biggest industry for what I wanted to do. This city has such great design and people I want to collaborate with! My sister also lived out here and I saw how amazing the quality of life is in LA- the weather is amazing! You also get so much more for your money out here and I love that everyone is so health conscious.

A+A: Can you tell us a few of your favorite places that you frequent?

B: I love Baller Hardware, Artware and Home Depot for supplies and inspiration. Proof Bakery in Atwater Village has the best pour-over coffee and amazing sandwiches. This party called 'Cafeteria' at The Short Stop has become my favorite Tuesday night thing to do. It’s a bunch of lunch-lady realness and sometimes even drag queen performances. It's always a great dance party and the DJ’s are awesome.

A+A: Are there any places around LA that have inspired you?

B: I get really inspired whenever I drive out to Palm Springs or Joshua Tree. I think because they are miniature versions of where I grew up (Scottsdale, Arizona). The combination of colors from the palm trees, mountains, sand, and rocks is so beautiful. Those landscapes really influence my southwestern palette and types of clay bodies I use. I also get really inspired when I take hikes in Griffith Park. I went to the old bat cave yesterday- where they used to film the old Batman TV show! There are so many hidden trails and beautiful views.

A+A: Do you have a most memorable, quintessentially “LA” moment?

B: I honestly get that feeling once a week. Usually it’s after I’ve finished a long day of working on some amazing pieces, I’ll get out of my car and, inevitably, there is beautiful sunset and I'll just get goosebumps. There are also those moments like when I went for a walk the other day and I saw Chloe Sevingy like three times. Then, later that night, I saw the guy who has a satirical comedy show on her, out at a bar. Or, when you start recognizing the guys from the Geico commercials around town! It's those crazy moments that are so "LA" to me.

A+A: If you could live in any era when would it be and where?

B: Right now! Why would I want to live in any other time? Remember how the world was going to end a few months ago? Well the other thought process was that it was a new beginning- a kind of golden era. This time, right now, is very exciting to me.

A+A: Where do you hope to be on your 85th birthday?

B: In my open-air studio (one of many) in some tropical beach town, with my two assistants, just making art and drinking cappuccinos. I want to be doing what I’m doing now just on a bigger scale!

A+A: Ummm, us too! That sounds like perfection. So, lastly, throughout your journey as an artist, is there anything you've learned that you want to share with us?

B: I believe in being patient and sharing everything with everyone. I don’t believe in the saying “hide your sources”. In my practice, I'm always open to telling people what I do, it’s gotten me so much work. Just being open to possibility is important.

In terms of being a ceramicist specifically, I think patience is number one and accepting the outcome of a piece, whatever it may be, is key. There is always the chance that it still might explode in the kiln!

Ben Medansky

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