Since the fast fire wood kiln design still needs some revisions, here’s the detour I’m taking. This is version 2.5 of the #BonsaiKilnProject which is designed as a microwave kiln. This was built out of the coffee inclusion reclaim clay, and the microwave reactive liner is silicon carbide grinding grit mixed with reclaimed casting slip. I’m actually going to see if I can use a microwave to fire on the reactive coating. . Calibrating this is going to be tricky. Maybe I can develop a procedure for calibrating things that can be done on any setup to get a good idea of how to fire it. Once I get an idea of the range of how hot this thing goes, I’ll be able to design projects and formulations specifically for these kilns. Most of the ones I’ve seen are specifically marketed as glass fusing kilns, so I wonder if they’ll get hot enough to be practical for ceramics. . Working on this particular kiln design, especially while there is so much discussion of how many of the craft fields aren’t accessible to BIPOC, has got me thinking about my own experiences and practices. I’ve become increasingly aware of how these barriers to entry create an environment of scarcity and a lot of how I work turns out to be driven by having to deal with this imposed scarcity. I actively avoid materials that are expensive or rare because I’ve internalized that I may not be able to allowed them in the future. I build things in pieces and modules because I can never be sure if I’ll have consistent access to what I would need to finish a piece all at once. . I have mixed feelings about realizing that these mechanisms that I’ve developed to cope with being denied access are at the core of my artistic practice. On one hand, it’s a testament to my resourcefulness and perseverance. On the other hand, everything I make is a reminder of the obstacles that have been put in my way because I’m different. Despite all of this I am still fortunate in what I have been able to access. There are many more people that face worse obstacles than I have. Perhaps some of this work will be able to help someone overcome some of the obstacles that happen to be in their way. . #ceramics https://www.instagram.com/p/CCe0wCInzCE/?igshid=1qz63njgm48of
