Telling Tales With Technology

MARIANNE DE TREY and WALTER KEELER

Potters Respond

Marianne de Trey felt that although she was terrified at the idea of one of her recordings being given the analysis which Mike Hughes had earlier demonstrated she didn't see it as very different to having one of her pots analysed and perhaps criticised. On the whole she had found the experience of being interviewed both flattering and enjoyable. Despite concerns that she might say things she felt she shouldn't if she got 'steamed up' she had found the experience of formulating her ideas and allowing time to reflect on her life and influences helped her towards an 'essence' of what she is now doing in her work.

Walter Keeler pointed out that the transcription was a very different thing to the tape recording, somehow words in print seem more fixed and significant than they are when spoken. He was aware of his own editing and distillation of ideas when being asked the same questions by numerous student interviewers. He saw this as a construction of himself for the sake of the student but recognised that a good interviewer was capable of teasing out the unexpected.