Process and Enquiry-Evi

  For this module, I used the question what motivates me to scratch the creative itch that I feel as the starting point. I let myself being driven by the workshops and the materials, without knowing where this would lead me (which for me not having control is scary!). My intention for this module, was to experiment with materials that I feel comfortable and love to work, in a new, unpredictable way, out of my control, asking myself about the ‘what if’ and the ‘why’. My connection with the paper and the threads, led me into the exploration of the vessels as a permanent but also temporary object through the process of transformation.         

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Final time-based piece

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A small extract from the final video that I created from the burning process of the magazine vessel on the barbeque. I wanted to emphasize on the movement of the pages which I found really lyrical.

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Taking photo in a dark room with the flash on, as it was too fragile to be put on the lightbox

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Details, close-up of the vessel. I love how the holes from the threads are so visible. I would have liked to see how the end piece would have looked in a lower temperature. Maybe if some text would have survived would have given it another depth. Nevertheless, I love the whiteness of it.

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Out of the kiln, the texture resembles porcelain! I am quite pleased with the result. Multi-layered and fragile, it represents me completely.

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Inside the kiln, for the burn process. The temperature will rise to 1020° C, so I felt a little sad to have to put it in but I am confident this is the right route I would like to explore further. 

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After manipulating it into the shape that I wanted, it reminds me of a shell. It feels quite soft and malleable even though it is tight coiled. 

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The final paper vessel, a full magazine cut into strips and sewn together, around 20 cm in diameter. Ready to manipulate it into the shape. It’s not as big as I would like it to be but since I wanted to put it into the kiln, I didn’t have more time to make it bigger. Depending on the outcome I may try something bigger as a next step

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Making more magazine strips. I think this is a full magazine that I have now used for building the final vessel. Chaos and disorder before being transformed into a controlled and  precise object. 

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Close up of the small at home experiment. I like the details of the text in combination with the charcoal and ash.

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Details, close up of the burnt vessel. I love that the layers are so distinguished and recognisable. 

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When attempting to move it out of the barbeque, it split it two and I was able to see the papers still burning. I think these two are my favourite photos! The bright colour over the charred strips of papers was very rewarding! Also I loved the detail of the holes that the burnt threads left behind

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After turning off the fire, the structure is still intact and some of the text can still be seen. 

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Let it burn!

An idea for the final video that I have to submit

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Since not all the materials can successfully be dipped into slip, I have been exploring alternative ways, such as the wax dipping and now the burning. Apparently, the magazine pages are being dipped into clay slip to make them smoother and glossier. As the first step I decided to burn a small example of the vessels that I have been making to see how much (if any) of its form and texture it can hold. I was surprised and very pleased to find out that it kept some of its form, even some of the text is recognizable. Next step, bigger vessel and the kiln!

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Coated papers have a smooth clay coating applied over a freesheet or groundwood base paper. The base paper is made first, then put through a "bath" of clay coating or coated while running on a machine, with a blade and calender rollers smoothing out the coating on the paper.

The clay coating often accounts for as much as half the weight of the paper. (Therefore, 10% postconsumer fiber content in a coated paper may actually equal only 5% of the total sheet.)

They are particularly valued by many for their crisp, vibrant reproduction of four-color graphics and photographs.

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I was thinking of continuing with the receipt vessel. I would like to see the size of it after a year of consuming.