Paul Soldner: Playing with Fire 2004
Distributed by Renegade Pictures Inc., 275 Rosario Park Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93105; 805.967.4679
Produced by Renee Bergan
Directed by Renee Bergan
DVD, color and b&, 59 min.
College - Adult
Art, Art History
Date Entered: 04/14/2005
Reviewed by Janis Tyhurst, Reference Librarian, George Fox UniversityThis well crafted visual biography profiles the life and influence of Paul Soldner, a well known American ceramics artist. Paul is known for expanding the limits of ceramics from a functional craft to expressive art and for his extraordinary teaching style. He has been called the Father of American Raku and the Miles Davis of Ceramic Arts. The latter title because he was challenging the traditional assumptions of ceramic arts at the same time that Miles Davis was extending the boundaries of American music.
The documentary weaves old photos, film clips, quotes from famous artists and interviews together to show Soldner’s early life and influences up to the present day, following his life from ceramic hobbyist to major influence. It is divided into sections each providing a perspective and understanding of his training, his philosophy of art, his philosophy of teaching, and his profound effect on the ceramic arts world.
Paul Soldner: Playing with Fire is highly recommended to those interested in ceramic arts and art history. The interviews are informative, the photography is excellent, the music soundtrack is good, the inclusion of film footage from earlier times is well edited - in short, an interesting and informative documentary.
Awards:
- Winner of the Key West Indie Fest (2005) Documentary Competition
- Selection of the 2005 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Short Documentary Competition
There is a revised edition available, but was not seen by this reviewer.