Raku Firing

An art institute in Augusta offers a number of classes for adults - since the Fall, I have enrolled in a couple of wheel throwing ceramics classes.  Each studio ends with a raku firing; what is shown in the video is a western, contemporary iteration of this centuries old Japanese method of low-firing pieces.  Kilns are heated to around 1900 degrees Fahrenheit to melt the glazes, all low fire in this case and made by our teacher.  Pieces glow brightly at this intense, low fire heat, with glazes bubbling.  Once the temperature is reached, pieces are removed and transferred to metal containers filled with combustible materials (in our case, old newspaper) for oxidation reduction - this is where our practice significantly deviates from the traditional style.  The boxes are "burped," and chemical reactions ensue.  After a 10 to 15 minute wait, work is removed and water immediately sprayed, cooling the pottery, fixing the colors, and creating cracks and crazing.  

The glazing colors and patterns that result from this firing are unpredictable, colorful, and fun.  The process borders on performance, which for me is the most interesting and rewarding piece.