Gaya Ceramic Arts Center: Finding Beauty in Imperfection with AKIRA SATAKE April 9-22, 2017

FINDING the BEAUTY in IMPERFECTION

with Akira Satake

April 9-22, 2017

Sharing the secrets employed in many of his most well-known and admired works Japanese potter/artist/musician Akira Satake will lead a hands on workshop involving both the hand-building and throwing techniques he uses in the making of his tea ceremony bowls, tea pots, water jars, ikebana vases and sculptural objects. Participants will learn to create rich surfaces inspired by the natural world and will experience brushing kohiki slip on clay slabs and stretching the slabs to crack and distort the surfaces, applying a coating of clay mixed with sand onto the surface of wheel thrown pieces and then altering them, and mixing air and other materials into the clay body and then tearing off the clay and/or cutting with a wire to create shapes-- among a myriad of other techniques.

Akira will likewise share his deep experience and knowledge in an on-going discussion of the Japanese aesthetic throughout the two weeks together. Participants will gain insight in finding the beauty in imperfection, the meaning of "wabi-sabi", and the importance of "ma" -- the space in between.

9 April: Sunday Welcome Dinner MOKSA Restaurant

6-9pm: While enjoying an exquisite meal set upon anagama-fired wares at the restaurant of director Hillary Kane’s husband, participants will share a relaxed evening in which we can get to know one another and share our stories and intentions for being here.

Dessert will be served with a slideshow given by Akira Satake, presenting his works, his story, and his journey in all things creative, followed by a review of the workshop schedule and a general fanning of the fires of enthusiasm!

10 April: Monday Slip and Wire Gaya CAC

Morning: A welcome and introduction to GCAC studio, and then immediately jumping into action!

Demonstration 1 - Make slabs and mix and apply kohiki slip for Satake-style stretched kohiki. Make mortar for Satake style sandy soft clay surface.

Demonstration 2 - Wire cutting, stretching and tearing chunks of clay to build sculptural pieces.

12:30 Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine

Afternoon: Open studio time, with plenty of personal tutorial and support from Akira.

11 April: Tuesday Slabs and Wheel Gaya CAC

Demonstration 1 - Stretch kohiki slabs and shape the pieces (hand build Satake-style stretched kohiki).

Demonstration 2 - Make yunomi, guinomi and chawan on wheel or hand building, using the technique of applying a soft clay and sand mixture to the surfaces of the pieces. Also make yunomi and bowls for traditional kohiki style glazing.