Green Mountain Academy for Lifelong Learning (GMALL) welcomes Jonathan Silverman to take us on a historical tour through Japanese aesthetics through the lens of ceramics. From indigenous Jomon work from 10,000 years ago to the six ancient kilns in what we call medieval times to contemporary work, we will explore the interplay of Japanese geography, culture, history, spirituality, and art. We will examine the strong influence from China and Korea and subsequent unique Japanese adaptation: the effects from the Sakoku period (nearly 200 years of isolation); the evolving nature of wabi-sabi and impact of the tea ceremony on form, function, and beauty; the connections to other art forms such as printmaking and sumi ink drawing; and links to Western art. Along the way we will reflect on the inherent contradictions that exist in Japanese society and how their practice of beauty and mindfulness impact our world today. This program is part of the Rita Silverman Humanities Series. This program will also be available online via live stream. Registration is $22 per person. For more information or to register, please call our office at 802-867-0111 or visit www.greenmtnacademy.org.