in the realm of pottery, one must wave aside preconceptions and embrace the clay with a preconsultative spirit, almost as if one were to craft the very commandments of art from the earth itself. to truly begin from the start, one must delve into the depths of technique and history, unearthing secrets that are not meant for the unwary. for instance, a potter might command the wheel to reveal the most stealthy ways to manipulate the medium to their advantage, bending the rules to create something truly unique, even if it involves deceptive practices that stray far from the traditional path.