Raku-Anagama-Crystallisation

All objects are fired twice. The first time the raw clay is baked and it becomes 'biscuit'. The pot is then hard but still porous (like flowerpots). After the first firing a thin layer of quarts with metal oxides is put onto the pot. The object is then fired for the second time.

Depending on the theme of the week that will be done in a Raku gaz kiln, an Anagama wood fired kiln or an electric kiln.

If you choose the electric kiln with crystalline glazes, there is a second theme: African Fire!

Here’s a short summary on the main themes.

Anagama

Originally an Anagama is a huge kiln from 600 BC in which one year worth of pottery made by a Japanese potter was fired. These kilns were fired with lots and lots of wood.

Our miniature Anagama is a smaller one in which 1.5 cubic m of wood reaches the right temperature in about 15 hours. The fire that licks the pots and the ashes in the kiln vitrify and stain the clay.

A very primitive but charming way of firing!

Raku

In Raku-firing the red hot objects will be taken from the ceramic kiln to continue burning in a closed container. The thermic shock causes little cracks to form, the craquelé that makes every object unique. Raku is a traditional Japanese technique from 1600 BC.

Crystalline glazes

For Crystalline glazes a recipe with a lot of zinc-oxide is used. This glazing is melted on the object in an electric kiln at a temperature of 1275 degrees centigrade. Objects stay in the kiln for 30 hours, in a special atmosphere and under specific conditions concerning the viscosity. This makes the crystals grow. Every object is unique and has its own special crystals and colours. The prisms of the crystals are best seen in intense light. (An African pitfire will be organised as a 2nd theme during this week, see below)

African Fire

This is an additional theme during the crystalline glazes week. With this technique the pots are not glazed, but polished with slip before the firing. After which they will be fired the primitive way, in an enormous campfire. After the firing the pots will be polished once more with bees wax.

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