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September Issue 2006
Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, Features Exhibit on Anagama Pottery
The Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, will present the exhibit, Anagama Pottery Exhibit, at the Blue Ridge Arts Center gallery, from Sept. 15 through Nov. 10, 2006. The exhibit will be featuring works of art from the winter firing of the Anagama kiln, an ancient Asian hillside wood firing method, built by Clemson students under the direction of Mike Vatalaro.
Midmorning on Nov. 27, 2005, Clemson University's Anagama kiln was opened by the participating potters from the local area. This event was the final stage of a three day firing, starting the previous weekend and a week of cooling off. The treasures unearthed were around 300 in number and varied from small, delicate porcelain cups with glassy celadon glazes to enormous, anthropomorphic sculptures, pitted with strange wood ash deposits.
Clemson's ceramics department sponsors this biannual event. Local area potters are also invited to experiment with reduction firing in an all wood-fired kiln. The kiln was designed by Mike Vatalaro of Clemson University who explained to us that the design is of ancient Japanese origin and traditionally is built into a hillside. Clemson's kiln is freestanding, with a huge chimney protruding above its tin roof. The kiln is loaded in three sections, then bricked up with small fire holes left open so that oak and pine sawn logs could be burnt directly inside the kiln. Firing was begun at dawn on the morning of Nov. 18. Temperatures inside the kiln were raised to approximately 2300 degrees and held there for several days. This entailed constant stoking of the fire, and observation through peepholes of the cones placed inside the kiln to ensure fairly constant temperature.
Chris Troy, a local potter who was helping with the firing, explained that the addition of wood turned the fumes black, when they started to burn clear, the kiln needed more wood. This refueling occurred about every fifteen minutes, so constant vigilance was needed, twenty-four hours a day during the three-day period. Some potters from Greenville, SC, were tent camping near the site, others formed shifts to split and cut wood, monitor the fire, and stoke the kiln. Those who spent the nights in the cold, autumn air said the sight of the kiln in the dark was awesome.
On the day of the kiln opening, leaves were being cleared and tables set up in preparation for the pots. Slowly, but steadily, others arrived and anticipation filled the air in spite of the nasty weather. As the clay and bricks were removed from the kiln front, a wash of remaining heat swept over us. The first layer of pots, cups, vases, and plates were gorgeous. As each piece appeared, it was passed down a line of willing helpers to be placed on the receiving tables. The contents of the three stages of the kiln were separated for purposes of study. Although there were some damages during the firing and several heartbreaking cracking of pieces after their removal, Jay Owens, a potter now living in Greenville, explained that this is expected. Typically, a high percentage of damage occurs during this type of firing. Different from any other type of firing, the effects were admired and commented upon by those in the "know." The glazes, ash deposits, and even the unfortunate breakages will be studied by students and master potters with an eye towards the next firing.
For further information
check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, call the center at
864/882-2722 or at (blueridgeartscenter.com).
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