email us at gayacac@gayaceramic.com for more details!
INIMITABLE
FORMS: wet earth through fire
with Peter Callas
with Peter Callas
March 17-31, 2019
Peter Callas has forged a career
over 45 years earning him a worldwide reputation for both his pioneering work
with the Anagama kiln and his unique style of Ceramic sculpture. He has undertaken over 150 Anagama firings
and continues to love and learn from this ancient tool. At this workshop he will fire the Gaya
Anagama, and participants will benefit from the treasure trove of knowledge his
instruction on stacking and firing for natural ash effects represents. Leading up to the loading of the kiln, Peter
will demonstrate slab and wheel skills, emphasizing one-of-a-kind form
aesthetics. Techniques will stress the
sculptural challenges of abstracting vessels and constructing maquettes. His spirited, poetic approach will help and
encourage students to handle clay in startlingly new and evocative ways. Peter
will also premier the short film: Voulkos “The Lost Tapes” as well as giving
several slide presentations on Anagama kilns, wood fired art, and his 23 year
collaboration with Peter Voulkos. It is certain to be an intimate, inimitable,
and rewarding experience for participants at all levels.
Sunday, March 17 WELCOME
DINNER MOKSA
6pm: We
will meet for an exquisite meal set upon Anagama-fired wares at MOKSA restaurant.
It will be a relaxed evening in which participants can get to know one another
and share their stories and intentions for joining the workshop. Peter will offer a presentation of images and
ideas over dessert.
Monday, March 18 INTRODUCTION GCAC
A
Morning of introduction:
§ Lively welcome talk by Peter, and introduction to Gaya
CAC studio
§ Discussion of upcoming firing and introductory comments
on firing Anagama kilns in general and the Gayagama in particular, including
stacking methods and decorative approaches
§ A look over some finished examples from the Gaya
collection
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
In
the Afternoon:
§ Demonstrations by Peter on and off the wheel
§ Students will dive into making work for the kiln
§ Reflections on the 157 firings Peter has done over the
years on four continents
Tuesday, March 19 CLAY
DAY GCAC
Morning:
§ Discussions and making clay work
§ Overview of clay choices and finishing effects will be
an every day on-going experience
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Afternoon:
§ Demonstration
and kiln stories with Peter working closely with students
Wednesday, March 20 FORMING & LOOKING AHEAD GCAC
Morning:
§ PowerPoint talk on Anagama Kilns and ongoing wet work
forming for the kiln throughout the day
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Afternoon:
§ More Demonstrations; Tea Bowls, etc...
Thursday, March 21 MAKING CONTINUED GCAC
Morning:
§ An all-day work oriented session for students. Peter
will oversee, advise, and critique projects
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Afternoon:
§ Complete projects, discussions and individual critiques
Friday, March 22 FINALIZING
PROJECTS GCAC
Morning:
§ Work being finished for slips, glazes and readied for firing.
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Afternoon:
Final touches in wet clay
Saturday, March 23 DRY TO FIRE/ A LOOK AHEAD GCAC
Morning:
§ In depth dialogue on firing effects and stacking, shadow
casting, thermal mass and heat transfer as well as patinas, slips and glaze.
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Afternoon:
§ Preparation for loading and discussion on firing the
kiln.
§ Student presentations: Informal discussion of work by
participants. All encouraged to bring 5 to 10 images for a roundtable
discussion. (JPEGs on Flash drives)
Sunday, March 24 LOADING
the DRAGON GCAC
All
day:
§ Loading
the Gayagama. Everyone will have the opportunity to assist in all aspects of
the process: wadding, placing works and the firing process.
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
6pm
Evening:
§ FIRE Ceremony and wood-fired pizzas at 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!
Monday, March 25
CONTINUE & CONCLUDE LOADING
GCAC
All
Day:
§ In preparation of the firing we will finish stacking
the kiln, sealing the door, and organizing the kiln area.
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Evening:
§ Lighting Ceremony GCAC
Candling begins for the two day firing with assigned shifts.
Candling begins for the two day firing with assigned shifts.
Tuesday, March 26 FIRING/ Day One GCAC
First
full day of firing and informal talks on the process and importance of low
temperature. Transport and meals will be organized accordingly.
Wednesday, March 27 FIRING
(sustaining & concluding) GCAC
Kiln
taken to high heat with side stoking being done. (**Salt/Soda possible), finish stoking and seal the kiln.
Evening:
Ending in a pizza-making in the residual heat
pizza oven!
Thursday, March 28 REST
& RECOVERY anywhere
Bali
Friday, March 29 EXCURSION TBD
Saturday, March 30 UNLOADING & FINISHING GCAC
Morning:
Peter
will show the video premier of “LOST TAPES”. A 1993 short film on his
collaborative work with Peter Voulkos filmed at his Belvidere, N.J. studio.
Lunch:
family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Afternoon: Unload the fired
work with thoughtful insights on the results.
Post-firing
clean-up and finishing techniques. Closing remarks.
Sunday, March 31 CONCLUSION GCAC
A
selection of works displayed in our In-studio gallery for concluding
discussion/critique/commentary of the entire experience.
Then
packing works to go (bubble wrap, newspaper, and cardboard boxes provided).
Lunch:
family style in the GCAC mezzanine
DEPARTURE
***In
order to encourage thoughtful making in the allotted studio time, there is a
suggestion that participants bring a handful of bisque pots to add to the
overall Anagama loading.
*All lunches will be served
daily noon-1pm family-style in the studio mezzanine.
**Details listed in this
preliminary schedule are subject to change; a finalized version will be
included in participant welcome package.
