OPENING
to the FIRE: Approaching the Anagama Anew
with Jeff Shapiro
August 13–27, 2017
Jeff Shapiro, who
lived and studied in Japan for 9 years, will introduce his work through images
and stories from Japan. He will also
explain the daily schedule for the 2 week workshop. Equal weight will be given
to the making and then the loading/.firing processes. There are a number of
techniques that can be utilized even once the work is in the kiln and being
fired, to alter the firing results.
Jeff has taught
many workshops around the world including: Italy, Japan, Korea, France,
Switzerland, England, and many other countries. He led a workshop in India at
Golden Bridge Pottery where he used mock-loading and mock-firing as techniques
out of necessity, as there was a huge typhoon that came through the pottery a
week before the workshop was scheduled and the kiln could not be fired.
Actually it has become a great teaching tool. Thus, he will show participants
ways of firing with the use of long-handled shovels and pokers to control
certain areas of the kiln before the actual lighting. Also, Jeff realized that
often people were hesitant, or conversely rushed in stoking the hot kiln. By
mock-firing prior to the real firing Jeff can see where the mistakes are and
correct them. There are many subtleties to putting wood into the kiln.
Sunday,
August 13 Welcome Dinner GCAC/MOKSA
5pm: We will meet for
a brief orientation at the studio before going to
an exquisite meal set upon anagama-fired ware at the restaurant of director
Hillary Kane’s
husband. A relaxed evening in which participants can get to know one another
and share their stories and intentions for being here. We may also have a short
discussion and presentation on food/vessel presentation, as well as a slide talk by Jeff.
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Monday,
August 14 Introduction to Story-telling GCAC
A morning of
introduction: to the studio in general and into the Gaya anagama specifically.
We will orient the outset of our own making by exploring a variety of finished
Gayagama works, paying particular attention to the many important variables,
including positioning in the kiln, clay bodies, slips, tumble stacking and
decorative use of wadding and shell markings. Clay demos including foot wedging
and “rough
wedging”
a technique to combine various clays and additional
materials together in a short time will be part of the morning experience. Prepare
to roll up your trousers!!
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
In the afternoon,
Jeff will then demonstrate his technique for stretching slabs and texturing
surfaces and preparing slabs for building into vessel or sculptural forms. Jeff
has also become somewhat of a story-teller and these insightful stories are a
part of the experience of this workshop.
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Tuesday,
August 15 Clay and Tools GCAC
We will discuss the different clays we will
now have available and what participants would like to get from the firing (light
clay, iron rich clay, crusty surfaces, drier surfaces etc.—there will be 7-8 bodies to choose from).
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Next, Jeff will
show how to make very simple wooden scraping tools. Then we begin the process of forming by
stretching slabs. Jeff will make work as an ongoing example of the process in
all its stages, but he will also work with participants on their projects on an
as need basis.
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Wednesday,
August 16 Forming and Looking Ahead GCAC
The whole day will be dedicated to
continuation of forming, and a more detailed presentation (through images) of
loading and firing techniques.
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Morning
activities continued
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Thursday, August
17 Slabs GCAC
The whole day
will be dedicated to continued work in developing the construction of slab
vessels, and other personal projects.
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Morning
activities continued
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Friday, August 18 A Final Moment of Making GCAC
A full day of
making, and perhaps starting to slip work.
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
(A
small bisque-kiln loaded for any works later requiring glazing)
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Saturday, August
19
Last Touches/Mock Loading GCAC
morning: Participants finish last touches of slip application, surface decoration, or glazing of select items. Works are then left to further dry before loading begins.
morning: Participants finish last touches of slip application, surface decoration, or glazing of select items. Works are then left to further dry before loading begins.
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
afternoon: a close look at the
loading and firing process via mock-loading and mock-firing with metal tools
that will have been made particularly for this workshop.
Loading preparation and discussion about all aspects of the process including
short personal critiques of participants work if so desired. Participants are
encouraged to bring images (good images) of their work for discussion, or to
have particular topics that can be addressed as a round table amongst all of
us.
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Sunday, August 20 FREE DAY anywhere Bali
6pm Evening: FIRE
Ceremony and wood-fired pizzas Kasa Kaneyasa
Enjoy a stimulating, cleansing “Puja” (Hindu fire-ceremony) at the home of director, Hillary Kane. Followed by a fitting evening of stoking the wood-fired pizza-oven. Pizza-making participation required!
Enjoy a stimulating, cleansing “Puja” (Hindu fire-ceremony) at the home of director, Hillary Kane. Followed by a fitting evening of stoking the wood-fired pizza-oven. Pizza-making participation required!
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Monday, August 21 Loading the Dragon GCAC
Working in
shifts, we begin the slow and particular process of loading the Gayagama.
Everyone will have an opportunity to assist in preparing various types wadding,
placing works, judging flame flow, and engaging in kiln yoga!
(Interim possibility: continued making of wooden tools...)
(Interim possibility: continued making of wooden tools...)
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Morning
activities continued
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Tuesday, August 22 Continue and Conclude Loading GCAC
At this time
there will be a session for topical discussion.
evening: Lighting Ceremony GCAC
Candling begins along with first all-night firing shift.
Candling begins along with first all-night firing shift.
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Wednesday, August
23 FIRING GCAC
Low-mid range
temperatures. Participants rotate on predetermined 6-hr. shifts through day and
night. Transport and meals will be organized accordingly.
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Thursday, August
24 FIRING GCAC
Sustained high temperatures, working back side stoke ports, (**salt/soda introduction- possible), final peak temperature and determined cooling approach.
Sustained high temperatures, working back side stoke ports, (**salt/soda introduction- possible), final peak temperature and determined cooling approach.
evening: Ending in a
pizza-making in the residual heat pizza oven!
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Friday, August 25
R&R
FREE DAY
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Saturday, August 26 EXCURSION (TBD)
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Sunday, August 27
Unloading and Finishing GCAC
morning: A slow and considered unload (this is when we have everything to learn!)
morning: A slow and considered unload (this is when we have everything to learn!)
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
afternoon: discussing and
implementing a variety of post-firing clean-up and finishing techniques. A
concluding discussion of the entire experience. Then packing works to go
(packing materials provided).
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***In order to
encourage thoughtful making in the allotted studio time, there is a suggestion
that participants bring 3-5 bisqued pots to add to the overall anagama loading.
**Details of schedule
may be subject to change, but overall content will remain constant.
