Food for Thought

For this project our main goal was to create a clay table setting inspired by the Columbian Exchange connected by the concept of food deserts. This project connected lessons from various classes to highlight the relationship between art, history, and social issues.

In art class, we focused on crafting items like coffee mugs and utensils to symbolize the of goods exchanged during the Columbian Exchange. We used techniques such as pinching, coiling, slabbing, and engraving to shape and detail the pieces. The mugs, which turned out well, reflected the historical themes we studied, while some utensils, like a spear-knife, didn’t work as well as we wanted.

If given more time, I would have refined our designs and created additional items to enhance the table setting. Despite these challenges, this project was a creative way to blend historical research with artistic expression, promoting a deeper understanding of cultural exchange and its modern implications.