Artists’ Exchange experiences a birth of Raku

Posted 8/27/15

When a new kiln is fired for the first time, it is considered as having been “born,” and it is tradition to name it.

One new kiln was “born” on Aug. 14, and was thus named “Friday” by …

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Artists’ Exchange experiences a birth of Raku

Posted

When a new kiln is fired for the first time, it is considered as having been “born,” and it is tradition to name it.

One new kiln was “born” on Aug. 14, and was thus named “Friday” by the group of campers that participated in this first ever Raku camp at Artists’ Exchange.

Raku ware is a type of Japanese pottery that is traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony, most often in the form of tea bowls. Raku means “enjoyment,” “comfort” or “ease” in Japanese.

It is a type of firing in which the artist has little control of the outcome. With normal ceramics, the electric kiln is brought up to 1,700 degrees. With Raku, the propane kiln goes up over 1,700 to 1,800 degrees.

Campers spent the first part of their two-week session creating birds, wind chime fish and a full sized sculpture of their own sneakers and boots in preparation for the kiln firing.

In the middle of the parking lot behind the art center, in a roped off area, the red-hot kiln shell was lifted to reveal the clay pieces. The pieces were then taken form the shelves with Raku tongs and placed in a metal trash can filled with newspaper and saw dust. The shoes and fish were gently placed inside and the lid. A short while later, the pieces are removed from the can and “quenched” or cooled in a bucket of waiting water. The result is spectacular and unpredictable as the smoke and reduction of oxygen dictate the metallic like designs upon the surface.

Artists’ Exchange is excited to announce both the birth of this new kiln and that it will be offering Raku classes as part of its growing ceramics programs. Classes begin this fall. Visit artists-exchange.org for days and times.

“We are dedicated to providing a full range experience in all our studios,” said Artists’ Exchange art director Karen Bouchard.

Those interested can receive 20 percent off if they sign up for Raku class during the annual Fall Out of Summer Festival on Sept. 20.

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