Vase 1894 - 1903

This vase was made by George E. Ohr, an American potter, at an unknown date, using earthenware. Observe how the mouth of the vase is folded back on itself. This distortion of a familiar form engages with primal anxieties about the instability of the body and the world. Think of the grotesque masks in ancient Greek theatre, intended to provoke both fear and catharsis in the audience. Similarly, Ohr’s manipulation of the clay transcends mere functionality, tapping into a deeper, more visceral experience. The distorted mouth of the vase reminds me of the “Oresteia” of Aeschylus and its chorus of avenging Furies with writhing, snake-like locks. This recalls a collective memory, the subconscious fear of chaos and dissolution. The vase becomes more than just an object. It's a vessel that carries and transforms cultural memory. In it, past and present intertwine, revealing the cyclical nature of artistic expression.