Presenters
Here we are presenting a first overview, this list will change over the time...
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Wood kilns in Finland, Estonia and Latvia.
Andres will talk about building and firing of bourry-box kilns (RiPAA Gama) in
the Baltic and in Finland. He is a kiln builder (electric, gas, wood-firing)
and fire master and understands himself as somebody who is helping to realize
the ideas of ceramists.
Moving pots in the kiln and other curiosities
Robert looks at different techniques for achieving outstanding surfaces through
wood firing.
Robert Barron was born in England and commenced potting full-time in the family
pottery at Croydon, Victoria, in 1976. In 1979, he left Australia on a
five-year journey to New Zealand, North America, England, Europe, and South
Korea to work with woodfiring potters. During this time, he visited Michael
Cardew at Wenford Bridge Pottery, Cornwall, UK. He was engaged as an apprentice
at Cornwall Bridge Pottery, Connecticut, USA and frequented many workshops, art
schools, galleries, and museums.
Returning to Australia in 1984, he established Gooseneck Pottery at Kardella,
Victoria and with the assistance of a Crafts Board grant built a 1000 cubic ft
five-chambered woodfired kiln. Influenced by the philosophies of Bernard Leach
and Michael Cardew, and with a passion for the pots made by traditional crafts
people throughout the world, he continues to develop ideas and techniques by
exploring the intricacies of woodfiring.
Woodfiring and Environment
Cutting trees for firing pots?
Markus looks at the environmental input of woodfiring as well as economical
issues.
He is woodfiring since 1987 in Alt Gaarz, at the half between Berlin and the
Baltic Sea. In his spare time he makes sparkling dry apple cider and organises
strange things.
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We learned a great deal from each other.
As a part of the panel Woodfiring and Education, Josh will present his ideas
about the educational potential of a community-based approach to woodfiring. He will discuss his experiences as a university student and how those lessons
informed his current philosophies and processes as a professional. Josh will offer details on the various manifestations of his ideas, including an
assessment of the Carolina Kiln Build, a recent kiln building workshop that
Josh co-facilitated with Eric Knoche (see The Log Book, issue 40).
Josh Copus received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of North
Carolina in Asheville in 2007. He is the founder of Clayspace Co-op, a ceramics cooperative and gallery, which
provides an environment that promotes the artistic growth and success of its
members through cooperation and education. Josh is currently in the process of
establishing his own studio and has recently built a workshop and three
wood-burning kilns on his land in Marshall, North Carolina.
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We learned a great deal from each other.
As a part of the panel Woodfiring and Education, Josh will present his ideas
about the educational potential of a community-based approach to woodfiring. He will discuss his experiences as a university student and how those lessons
informed his current philosophies and processes as a professional. Josh will offer details on the various manifestations of his ideas, including an
assessment of the Carolina Kiln Build, a recent kiln building workshop that
Josh co-facilitated with Eric Knoche (see The Log Book, issue 40).
Josh Copus received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of North
Carolina in Asheville in 2007. He is the founder of Clayspace Co-op, a ceramics cooperative and gallery, which
provides an environment that promotes the artistic growth and success of its
members through cooperation and education. Josh is currently in the process of
establishing his own studio and has recently built a workshop and three
wood-burning kilns on his land in Marshall, North Carolina.
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All my Dreams up in Smoke
Paul will discuss his approach to dealing with 'Carbon Politics' and an
environmentally responsible approach to his woodfiring practice and aesthetic.
Where is the future? Can we woodfire or will it all go up in Smoke!
For the past 9 years, Paul Davis has been Head of the famous Sturt Pottery, Mittagong, Australia.
Paul has now established a new studio complex at the old Iceworks factory in the
city of Newcastle, Australia, where he pursues his own individual art practice as well as collaborating in a small
prototype development facility which is jointly shared with his partner Jacqueline Clayton under the umbrella of 'Press to Play ceramics'. Both artists are developing the studio with the intention of moving to carbon
neutral practice.
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All my Dreams up in Smoke
Paul will discuss his approach to dealing with 'Carbon Politics' and an
environmentally responsible approach to his woodfiring practice and aesthetic.
Where is the future? Can we woodfire or will it all go up in Smoke!
For the past 9 years, Paul Davis has been Head of the famous Sturt Pottery, Mittagong, Australia.
Paul has now established a new studio complex at the old Iceworks factory in the
city of Newcastle, Australia, where he pursues his own individual art practice as well as collaborating in a small
prototype development facility which is jointly shared with his partner Jacqueline Clayton under the umbrella of 'Press to Play ceramics'. Both artists are developing the studio with the intention of moving to carbon
neutral practice.
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1. Historic Groundhog Kilns of North Carolina
Description and history of these unique eighteenth century wood fire kilns built
in the Seagrove area of North Carolina. The clays naturally found in this area and the groundhog kilns had a tremendous
impact on this significant pottery-producing region.
2. Train Kilns: The Pollution Solution for Wood Firing
The Train Kiln, designed by John Neely of Utah State University, is known for
its ability to create heavy ash and reduction with very little black smoke. The many features and benefits of this kiln will be discussed as well as it’s construction and firing considerations.
Since 1991 Judith has been a full-time studio potter in North Carolina. She has studied throughout the United States and Japan and fires primarily with
wood using her Train Kiln built in 1998 and her Japanese style Anagama built in
2005. Her articles have appeared in Ceramics Monthly, Studio Potter, and The
Log Book, and her pottery was featured on the cover of Clay Times, a national ceramics
magazine. Judith has taught workshops throughout the United States and in Japan.
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1. Historic Groundhog Kilns of North Carolina
Description and history of these unique eighteenth century wood fire kilns built
in the Seagrove area of North Carolina. The clays naturally found in this area and the groundhog kilns had a tremendous
impact on this significant pottery-producing region.
2. Train Kilns: The Pollution Solution for Wood Firing
The Train Kiln, designed by John Neely of Utah State University, is known for
its ability to create heavy ash and reduction with very little black smoke. The many features and benefits of this kiln will be discussed as well as it’s construction and firing considerations.
Since 1991 Judith has been a full-time studio potter in North Carolina. She has studied throughout the United States and Japan and fires primarily with
wood using her Train Kiln built in 1998 and her Japanese style Anagama built in
2005. Her articles have appeared in Ceramics Monthly, Studio Potter, and The
Log Book, and her pottery was featured on the cover of Clay Times, a national ceramics
magazine. Judith has taught workshops throughout the United States and in Japan.
Karin Flurer-Brünger
For more than 10 years Karin Flurer-Bruenger has been a lecturer for ceramic
arts at Landau University (Germany). Being a “Meister” in pottery, a therapist and a teacher she has many years of experience in
leading workshops in the field of ceramics. She also has given a paper kiln
workshop for former children soldiers in southern Congo (DRC).
Karin Flurer-Brünger
For more than 10 years Karin Flurer-Bruenger has been a lecturer for ceramic
arts at Landau University (Germany). Being a “Meister” in pottery, a therapist and a teacher she has many years of experience in
leading workshops in the field of ceramics. She also has given a paper kiln
workshop for former children soldiers in southern Congo (DRC).
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The Revolutio - a completely newly developed and economic woodfire kiln which
makes it possible to upturn the direction of flames
- "revolutio" (Latin) - to turn around.
Gordon Gran: since 1993 freelance ceramist, 12 years experience in woodfire, 4
self-constructed kilns. Three-monthly training in kiln construction in Mashiko
(Japan) with Tamaki Tamotsu, collaboration in constructing a complete
five-chamber Noborigama, and visiting 6 Japanese ceramists to fire their
Noborigamas together.
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The Revolutio - a completely newly developed and economic woodfire kiln which
makes it possible to upturn the direction of flames
- "revolutio" (Latin) - to turn around.
Gordon Gran: since 1993 freelance ceramist, 12 years experience in woodfire, 4
self-constructed kilns. Three-monthly training in kiln construction in Mashiko
(Japan) with Tamaki Tamotsu, collaboration in constructing a complete
five-chamber Noborigama, and visiting 6 Japanese ceramists to fire their
Noborigamas together.
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Life in the Slow Lane.
Wood firing can be environmentally friendly, but it's the totality of our lives
with everything added together that has created the environmental malaise that we have created for ourselves. There is no point in
wood firing and claiming to be environmentally friendly if everything else in
our lives is environmentally unsound. We are lulled into believing that
everything we purchase is 'green' and healthy, but a little thought and
investigation soon reveals that this is only advertising hype, calculated to
get us to uphold the status quo and continue to consume. I don't believe that
governments are equipped, capable or even interested in solving this problem
for us. I believe that it is the responsibility of individuals to create change
and lead the way to help solve this problem by thinking seriously about what
and how much we consume.
Dr. Steve Harrison has a PhD in the school of cultural theory, University of
Western Sydney, investigated the relationship between landscape, locality,
geology and ceramics, while his MA Hons degree was in wood firing.
He has a long-standing activism on environmental and conservation issues and is the author of several books and many articles on
ceramics, his art practice is based on the use of locally sourced ceramic
materials and environmentally friendly wood firing.
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Life in the Slow Lane.
Wood firing can be environmentally friendly, but it's the totality of our lives
with everything added together that has created the environmental malaise that we have created for ourselves. There is no point in
wood firing and claiming to be environmentally friendly if everything else in
our lives is environmentally unsound. We are lulled into believing that
everything we purchase is 'green' and healthy, but a little thought and
investigation soon reveals that this is only advertising hype, calculated to
get us to uphold the status quo and continue to consume. I don't believe that
governments are equipped, capable or even interested in solving this problem
for us. I believe that it is the responsibility of individuals to create change
and lead the way to help solve this problem by thinking seriously about what
and how much we consume.
Dr. Steve Harrison has a PhD in the school of cultural theory, University of
Western Sydney, investigated the relationship between landscape, locality,
geology and ceramics, while his MA Hons degree was in wood firing.
He has a long-standing activism on environmental and conservation issues and is the author of several books and many articles on
ceramics, his art practice is based on the use of locally sourced ceramic
materials and environmentally friendly wood firing.
Arno Hastenteufel
Since 1994 Ute and Arno Hastenteufel conducted more than 20 developing projects
in Africa and Asia. Since 1998 they collaborate with the potter and kiln
builder Michael Sälzer. His Phoenix wood kiln is eminently usable at developing countries.
http://www.entwicklungshilfe-keramik.de/
Arno Hastenteufel
Since 1994 Ute and Arno Hastenteufel conducted more than 20 developing projects
in Africa and Asia. Since 1998 they collaborate with the potter and kiln
builder Michael Sälzer. His Phoenix wood kiln is eminently usable at developing countries.
http://www.entwicklungshilfe-keramik.de/
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Hybrid Fire: A Woodfired Kiln Design for Ceramics and Glass
This lecture will discuss the research collaboration between Fred Herbst and
glass blowers from the Corning Museum of Glass. After successful woodfired
glassblowing experiments in an anagama style kiln, Herbst, along with Steve
Gibbs and Lewis Olson, developed a new type of kiln that allows for
glassblowing and firing ceramics simultaneously. The first version of this
design was built in Corning, New York USA and a second has been built and
successfully fired at the international art, design and architecture education
center at Domaine de Boisbuchet in Lessac, France.
Fred Herbst has been woodfiring his functional and sculptural ceramics for
almost 15 years and teaching his students to do the same for over 10 years. In
1998, he earned a Master in Fine Arts degree in Ceramics from the University of
North Texas in Denton, Texas and currently teaches
ceramics and art history at Corning Community College in Corning, New York, USA.
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Hybrid Fire: A Woodfired Kiln Design for Ceramics and Glass
This lecture will discuss the research collaboration between Fred Herbst and
glass blowers from the Corning Museum of Glass. After successful woodfired
glassblowing experiments in an anagama style kiln, Herbst, along with Steve
Gibbs and Lewis Olson, developed a new type of kiln that allows for
glassblowing and firing ceramics simultaneously. The first version of this
design was built in Corning, New York USA and a second has been built and
successfully fired at the international art, design and architecture education
center at Domaine de Boisbuchet in Lessac, France.
Fred Herbst has been woodfiring his functional and sculptural ceramics for
almost 15 years and teaching his students to do the same for over 10 years. In
1998, he earned a Master in Fine Arts degree in Ceramics from the University of
North Texas in Denton, Texas and currently teaches
ceramics and art history at Corning Community College in Corning, New York, USA.
Woodfiring in America
“What matters to me is creating a lively and engaging environment where students
can express themselves through art.”
Woodfiring in America
“What matters to me is creating a lively and engaging environment where students
can express themselves through art.”
Beside modelling, the fire is the most important part in ceramics and is often
completely neglected in school. The objects modelled by the students sometimes
disappear in the basement and after weeks the students have lost the relation
to their glaced and fired pieces. Pit firing or raku firing in small woodfire
kilns are practices which teachers can integrate in class. Children can
experience directly the procedure of firing and can see, for example in raku
fire, how the glazing starts melting at 1000 degrees.
Stefan Jakob calls himself a socialized pyromaniac. Since more than 15 years he
has performed pit firing and raku firing in school. He teaches classes in the
construction of small woodfire raku kilns. In this way, more than 1500 kilns
has been built over the years.
Beside modelling, the fire is the most important part in ceramics and is often
completely neglected in school. The objects modelled by the students sometimes
disappear in the basement and after weeks the students have lost the relation
to their glaced and fired pieces. Pit firing or raku firing in small woodfire
kilns are practices which teachers can integrate in class. Children can
experience directly the procedure of firing and can see, for example in raku
fire, how the glazing starts melting at 1000 degrees.
Stefan Jakob calls himself a socialized pyromaniac. Since more than 15 years he
has performed pit firing and raku firing in school. He teaches classes in the
construction of small woodfire raku kilns. In this way, more than 1500 kilns
has been built over the years.
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The lecture reviews the wood kilns used in the Nigerian traditional societies and the contemporary relevance of wood kilns to ceramics pratice in Nigeria under a depressed economy in which other sources
of energy generation had been rendered unreliable
KASHIM, Isah Bolaji (B.A. Industrial Design, M.A. Industrial Design, PhD
Industrial Design with specialization in ceramics design). He is a Senior
Lecturer and Acting Head of Department of Industrial Design, Federal University
of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. He has taught ceramics in the
polytechnics and university for over a decade.
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The lecture reviews the wood kilns used in the Nigerian traditional societies and the contemporary relevance of wood kilns to ceramics pratice in Nigeria under a depressed economy in which other sources
of energy generation had been rendered unreliable
KASHIM, Isah Bolaji (B.A. Industrial Design, M.A. Industrial Design, PhD
Industrial Design with specialization in ceramics design). He is a Senior
Lecturer and Acting Head of Department of Industrial Design, Federal University
of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. He has taught ceramics in the
polytechnics and university for over a decade.
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Unglazed Surface Effects in Short Wood Firings
My presentation is about my own exploration of the Bizen technique of charcoal
covering and related techniques. The focus will be on generating interesting unglazed surfaces through a
holistic approach to the process which involves integrating the materials,
forms, loading strategies, firing cycles and special tools while using a
minimal amount of fuel.
Eric Knoche is a ceramic sculptor currently living and working in Asheville,
North Carolina, USA. He has lived and worked in Thailand, New York, India, and Japan.www.ericknoche.com
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Unglazed Surface Effects in Short Wood Firings
My presentation is about my own exploration of the Bizen technique of charcoal
covering and related techniques. The focus will be on generating interesting unglazed surfaces through a
holistic approach to the process which involves integrating the materials,
forms, loading strategies, firing cycles and special tools while using a
minimal amount of fuel.
Eric Knoche is a ceramic sculptor currently living and working in Asheville,
North Carolina, USA. He has lived and worked in Thailand, New York, India, and Japan.www.ericknoche.com
The Estonian Ceramists Association and the Kohila Symposia
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