Thursday was another day full with beautiful discoveries and encounters in La Borne. After a full night’s rest (finally) at @annemariekelecom ‘s house where I am now staying I started my day by strolling over to the CCCB (the La Borne Ceramic Center) to check out the unloading of the Gallo-Roman kiln, but it was too hot to unload at the time. Emmanuel who oversaw the firing was taking off the tiles at the top to let some of the heat escape, and said come back at 4PM. You could see though that the firing looked successful and that the pieces acquired that reddish glow. I hitchhiked easily to Claire Linard’s studio In Neuvy-Deux-Clochers where I had been invited for lunch... I brought fresh bread and wine and there was a wonderful array of food, including crottin de chavignol (to my American friends: try this cheese and gain some serious experience points), all in joviality. Outside Claire’s husband Paulo was firing the Feller Kiln which is fired with wood by also aided by a fan which helps the flame move through the kiln. Before each stoke the fan is turned off to avoid the flame coming out onto the person stoking, and then immediately turned back on. Back inside Claire’s wheel throwing demonstration showed great skill and understanding of the craft, it was a joy to see her throw and explain things in French. At 4PM or so the unloading of the Gallo-Roman kiln was underway and was a real treat to behold. This type of repliqua is an anthropological experiment that you don’t see every day! There was an adorable girl who was very intent on helping to wipe the ash and dust off every pot. After watching a documentary screening in the Center, the never-ending dérive took me back again to Hervé Rousseau’s and Isabelle Pammachius’ kiln where they were about to start side stoking of the anagama portion of the noborigama kiln. In the second to last video is Bernard David putting a hefty “charge” in the frontal firebox so the firing crew could take a break for dinner. Last is Isabelle side stoking the first chamber with charbonette. #laborne #lesgrandsfeux #noborigama #fellerkiln #kiln #pottersunite #cestchaud #woodfired @herverousseau.boisbelle #ceramics #pottery #poterie (at La Borne, Centre, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bps8rGxAiPR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1opu89enf7qkm