OPENING to the FIRE: Approaching the Anagama Anew with Jeff Shapiro || August 13-27, 2017

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.

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!

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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...)

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.             

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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.            

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!)

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.