72 Hands
From theTiangong Kaiwu (天工開物) encyclopedia compiled by Song Yingxing (宋应星) at the end of the Ming Dynasty comes the oft-cited quote:
“共计一杯工力，过手七十二，方可成器”
"For the total work required to make a single cup, it must pass through 72 hands, and only then can it become a vessel."
72 Hands is an effort to document all types of ceramics techniques. The video style is very simple- a single take of each technique focusing on the artisan's hands. Each video is accompanied by an article with a description of the technique and photos. Videos are shot in high-resolution 4K Ultra-HD resolution which gives a clear view of the technique.
Being based in Jingdezhen, I am first focusing my efforts on documenting porcelain production here. But if there is sufficient interest in & support of the project I would like to document other pottery centers in China and abroad.
