Process & Materiality experiments

Documentation from the ceramics studio

[glassmelts]

Saggar firing: clarifying tests after selecting the more interesting glazes to intentionally create speci-ic colouring efects. The other saggar was a test to simulate wood firing conditions using salt n shino glazes and a rutile wash. Direct contact with sawdust creates bubbling glossy glazes, as well as forms a glossy layer over the matt opaque shino glaze. Salt particles created a spotted effect on the surface.

[glassmelts]

Saggar firing: testing reduction atmospheres for a variety of glazes and forms. Love the copper flashing and semi-reduced effects on the glazes. Red art clay causing brown spots (iron deposits) on iron-free porcelain.

[glassmelts]

Results of the glass firing: not enough melt, earthernware ware clay did not deform, bottle is still discernible. Will put it through high fire.

[glassmelts]

'Crazy Lunch box' experiment: soda cans, glass botle, earthernware clay, found clay objects in stoneware box. Fired to 800 degrees.

[glassmelts]

Slip-cast test forms and delicate floral forms, testing the workability of porcelain when thin. How thin can it go before breaking?

[glassmelts]

Before and after firing. Cobalt, white matt and celedon glazes fired to 1280 in saggar filled with sawdust and charcoal.

the glazes absorbed a lot of carbon, turning porcelain black. The pink comes from airborn copper particles during the firing. Love the blistering and bubbling.

[glassmelts]

Results of the aluminium firing at 1280 deg. It didnt melt but turned into a powdery substance instead.

[glassmelts]

1st saggar firing test & result. Copper Red glaze and celedon glaze fired in reduction atmosphere using sawdust and charcoal in a sealed saggar, electric kiln. Love the bubbling where the piece was in direct contact with the organic materials. Porcelain has clearly absorbed the carbon and turned black.

[mandaaalim]

way back when I was testing the effect of high teMperatures on aluminum and found clay objects. Pre-firing.

[glassmelts]

Setting up this blog

so that I can post all the images I have taken of my tests and experiments in the ceramics studio. I guess it’s way easier than printing them out and pasting them in a physical visual diary.