Our
juried exhibition Functional Fire: A Woodfired Cup Show runs
from September 16 - October 3. The show coincides with Different
Stokes: The 1999 International Woodfire Conference being held
at the University of Iowa from September 29-October 2.
Juried by Simon Levin and Michael Smith, this exhibit includes
45 pieces by 36 artists from the United States and Canada. A
closing reception honoring the artists will be held Thursday,
September 30 from 5-8pm, and it is open to the public. Come
cast your vote for the People''s Choice Award! Firing with wood
is often a communal process in which the kiln is continuously
stoked and monitored over a period of several days. Along with
loading and cooling periods, the entire firing can take ten
days to two weeks from start to finish. During the process of
firing, ash and flame interact with the pieces to form a natural
glaze. Perhaps because of this communal element, as well as
its connections to nature and the environment, woodfire is enjoying
a resurgence amongst contemporary potters.
The
exhibit showcases a variety of contemporary perspectives on
the humble cup. Some work pushes the limits of functionality
into sculpture, whereas others embrace everyday use. The works
selected for this exhibition encompass a wide range of surfaces,
techniques and form, demonstrating the possibilities inherent
in woodfire. Some pieces are heavily ashed, where others exhibit
more subtle qualities of woodfire atmospheres. Included are
hand-built, thrown and altered works in individual pieces or
in sets.
For
more information on woodfired ceramics click
here.
