“Freedom, my most refined
technique”
with Alberto Bustos
March 8-21
“Self-taught
as I am, I never dreamt that my passion and admiration for Ceramics would turn
into my way of life, would give meaning to my life.
It may well be that my inborn attraction to Nature
pushed me down to the ground so as to be fused with earth, our true essence.
Through “natuRareza”
I submerge myself into the vegetal Psyche in order to find out those tortured
feelings, product of the deterioration of the environment that we humans
habitually cause.
My only wish is that my modeling goes in deeply into
human sensitivity to revert the harm we are inflicting on ourselves”
The main objective of the workshop is to model the clay
directly with our hands, without tools. In this way we will be able to
communicate directly with the clay and transmit our feelings.
With
the technique of "launch" we will make textured plates. Also square
filaments, flat and rectangular. Creation
of stone textures using pigmented cookies. Application
of coloring pigments and glaze, powder and liquid, on the wet clay to do only
one firing. We
will also carry out experimental works using cardboard, sponges and siliconized
paper. We will discover how all these
techniques can not only be applied to sculptures. We can also adapt them to the
functional ceramic style. In
this course I want to tell stories of hope with our pieces, from the most
absolute freedom and improvisation, without obsessing with technique.
Sunday, March 8: Welcome Dinner MOKSA
Get to know each other over a colorful
and delicious plant-based meal at Gaya’s neighbor restaurant and permaculture
garden, Moksa. Over delightful desserts, Alberto will offer a brief
presentation about himself and his work.
Monday, March 9:
Orientation to the Gaya studio.
Introduction to the topics and purpose of the workshop, including powerpoint
presentation.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Alberto will construct a complete piece
to explain step by step the following techniques: Demonstration of making slabs
by “launch” technique, using no roller or any machinery. Application of colored
stains and powder (dry) glaze with brush and hand strainer on wet clay.
Explanation of the square filament modeling technique with the “launch”
technique on wooden bat. Application with toothbrush of colored stains and
glaze mixed with water on wet clay. Explanation of craquelure textures in clay
powder with glaze.
Tuesday, March 10:
Short presentation of images of
different pieces made with the techniques covered on Monday. Explanation of
various decorative applications of colored stains with powder glaze for
sculptural or functional pieces.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Group begins to make their own pieces.
Wednesday, March 11:
Explanation of the elaboration of two
types of textured plates with manual; pressure by means of “launch” technique,
after application of colored stains with glaze powder. Alberto will demonstrate
making another unique piece.
Lunch- family style in GCAC
mezzanine
Group works on their own pieces.
Thursday, March 12:
Explanation of the stony-rocky texture
technique. Use of different materials for its preparation, such as sugar cubes
and cookies. Explanation of making flat filaments with the “launch” technique
on a wood bat. Short presentation of images of pieces made with these
techniques. Alberto will build a piece using the preceding techniques.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Work time for the group.
Friday, March 13:
Explanation and demonstration of
different uses of “kanthal” wire as a support for sculptures. Group work time
for the remainder of the day.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Saturday, March14:
Demonstration of “launch” technique
rectangular filaments for various sculptural uses. Building cylindrical or
quadrangular pieces with internal roller or squared wood and applying colored
stains with glaze and water with a toothbrush and also in dry form on wood.
With the same technique, making textured flat filaments and using them for
different sculptural or functional constructions.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Group makes pieces using techniques
demonstrated.
Sunday, March 15:
(Free Day )
Monday, March 16:
Experimental construction of pieces
using sponges. Working with sponges of different shapes, saturating them with
porcelain slip and powdered glass of varying ratios. Adding to the sponges
different colors of glass [???], dry glaze and clay, to make “craquelure” as
well as color stains. Also optional is using some of the “kanthal” wire as
armature. The group will work simultaneously with Alberto.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Load a small bisque kiln in the
afternoon.
Tuesday, March 17:
Experimental demonstration of
sculptural construction with cardboard as a base. Applying different layers of
slip mixed with paper and glaze on cardboard until getting enough thickness so
that the piece has consistency. To this piece will be added color stains with
glaze as demonstrated on other forms during the workshop. Also, mixing dry clay
powder mixed with glaze to create “craquelure” textures. The group will work
simultaneously with Alberto. Bisque kiln is firing.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Wednesday, March 18:
Experimental explanation of “silicone paper” technique. Its
impermeability allows the introduction of different types of slip, color
stains, glass, cookies, etc to generate texture. Used as a transfer, this can
decorate functional pieces and also be used as sculpture.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Unload the kiln of bisque
pieces, load the next kiln to begin firing (drying period) in the afternoon.
Thursday, March 19:
EXCURSION. A day of exploration, inspiration,
and relaxation away from the studio…
Friday, March 20:
Unload the kiln, discuss first
impressions, etc.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Saturday, March 21:
Admire works, photograph, closing
sentiments, packing works to bring home….
Farewell Lunch: family style
together in GCAC mezzanine
Departure by 2pm