When you’re away from an academic environment, whether you were there as a student or faculty (i’ve been both and I miss both tremendously) studio practice seems to be so focused on productivity and we (I speak for myself here) rarely afford ourselves the time for creative research, ie: messing about in the mud and trying out fun things with the kilns. When your livelyhood depends on successful firings and pleasing your customers and gallery owners, sometimes we miss out. It’s hard to remind ourselves to play, even a bit each day, as a warm up even. Maybe something I should add to my new years resolution list…
Anyhow I got thinking about this after looking at the remarkable work of today’s artist: John Dorsey and reading his blog dedicated to an interesting collaboration and an even more interesting kiln design…it reminded me of the community spirit, collaboration and fun that I miss from an academic environment. Time for this tired brain to be re-invigorated with a residency I think.
Here’s a bit from the blog:
“Welcome to the Green Fire blog where we will be bringing you the on going story of the Nobles and Harvard kiln building collaboration. This summer ceramic artist Masakuza Kusakabe conducted a workshop where participants helped build his innovative smokeless wood kiln.”
The kiln is a small, woodfired kiln that is smokeless, designed by Masasaku Kusakabe. This project is a unique collaboration between Noble and Greenough School, where John teaches, and Harvard University Ceramics Program, under Nancy Selvage.
And here’s John’s stunning work:
More images of his work are available on his website:
http://johndorseyceramics.com/home.html
In his email John told me that, “This collaboration has really changed my approach to my work. The availability of wood fire is so exciting and the immersion into Japanese ceramics in recent months has significantly charged my batteries. We’ll see where it all ends up.”
Indeed I’ll be looking forward to hearing more from John about the kiln as well as the impact of the collaboration on his studio practice. Please keep us posted John!
