MARCH 8-21, 2020, FREEDOM MY MOST REFINED TECHNIQUE: Hand Building Sculptural Forms with Alberto Bustos

For more information email us at: gayacac@gayaceramic.com

 “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

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