Sunday, August 12, 2012

teacups


photographer: Megan Slade


A handmade porcelain teacup gathers a complex web of signs and meanings. Physically it is a drinking vessel with a handle and as such demands to be picked up by the handle and filled to near but not touching the rim. Picking up a teacup by the handle obliges us to place it down with the handle to one side, a gesture and placement that immediately invites further picking up and putting down. The fact that very soon this cup is going to be in contact with our lips conditions our behaviour so that we never conventionally pick up a cup by the rim.  Already, before we even use this object for the purpose of drinking it has changed our actions.  The network of cultural and historical meanings embedded within a teacup has made us, the top predator, maker of tools, act differently.

photographer: Megan Slade