Revolutions of the Wheel Part 1 - The Tradition of No Tradition

The first program of this film odyssey asks what a potter is, what clay is, and what makes a pot a vessel. These issues are examined from the perspectives of contemporary potters, historians and art critics.

It goes on to explore the historical background of ceramic art in America. Archival material and interviews are used to discuss the original Rookwood Pottery in Ohio and early 20th century artists such as Taxile Doat and Adelaide Alsop Robineau.

George Ohr was a historical anomaly in the charts of ceramic art history in America. He was ahead of his time and certainly the first potter to take his art to the extremes of the eccentric. The self described "Mad Potter of Biloxi" clearly left his mark and was never truly appreciated in his lifetime.