my exploration of particles, molecules, organisms, natural forces and what they reveal to us about the universe |
atmosphere & community &
atmosphere & community &
: wood fire process | what is special about the kiln atmosphere :
Typically speaking, firing ceramics in a wood fueled kiln is a community activity. I fire with 2 different artist groups in MD who come together a few times a year to load and fire over a couple of weekends. The actual firing of the kiln takes 18 - 36 continuous hours of stoking to raise the internal temperature slowly to cone 10 = 1,305°C = 2,381°F (or so). We work collaboratively to build shelf stacks inside the kiln while we carefully load everyone’s pots – differently every time. We fire in shifts, adding wood to the fire and monitoring the temperature to create the best internal Reduction atmosphere. If we do a good job, nothing explodes -- or sometimes it does, no matter!Kilns can be heated with different types of fuel (electricity, gas and wood) and to different temperatures. Each method chemically and physically transforms the “plastic” clay into a vitrified material — a non-crystalline amorphous solid – glass. When wood combusts as it fuels a fire, it creates an atmosphere inside the kiln where minerals and oxides, inherent from the tree, become bonded to the clay pot and everything inside the kiln – especially from carbon (C) released in ash that floats around. If soda (NaHCO₃) is introduced into a kiln, it can coat the ceramics with a beautiful surface texture. Salt (NaCl) firing works the same way as soda, creating a softened surface on pots. I enjoy firing my work with each of these atmospheric kiln environments. I am experimenting each time.
amOceramic scientific THEMES & CONCEPTS pdf can be downloaded to print by clicking "pop-out" / top right arrow >: feynman diagrams :
: gel electrophoresis :
: Vega star mass :
: quantum spin networks :
: double slit experiment :
: h-bar :
: phospholipid bilayer :
: Ginkgo biloba :
: resonance bonds :
: H₂O :
: crema foam stability :
: gravity assist :
: surface of last scattering :
