Nottingham Center

 

 
 

Glaze Development Using the Grid Method with Ian Currie
October 26-27, 2002

WORKSHOP OUTLINE      register by contacting us at registrar@nottinghamarts.org
                                                                                                     (click on this email address)

The systematic method developed by Ian Currie for studying glazes has proven a powerful tool for students of ceramics. The method is outlined in his new book "Revealing Glazes - Using the Grid Method". This new approach is also outlined at the web site: http://ian.currie.to/

The workshop will involve taking participants through the Systematic Recipe Method (the Grid Method) as outlined in the new book. Being a recipe method, it is accessible to all regardless of their understanding of glaze chemistry. At the end of the first day students will have possibly 5 sets of glazes ( about 175 individual glazes) ready for firing, and will understand the method. The glazes will be fired overnight and participants will be able to see and assess the results and explore possibilities with group discussions. Also on the second day there are lectures filling out the student's understanding of the grid method and glaze theory in general. There will be a slide lecture giving a guided tour to the different sorts of glazes using the grid framework. If time permits, there is also a slide lecture on Japanese wood firing, and more time to work one to one with students. There may also be time for some more practical work, extending on the results from the first day.

One of the problems of many other approaches to glaze research is a failure to emphasize the vital importance of alumina and silica variations in pinning down specific effects and discovering exciting new glazes. Systematic variation of alumina and silica, along with the fluxes, is central to this method, and is largely responsible for its success. The method is organized so that one is able to separate out the variables and therefore highlight cause and effect. It gives precise control and understanding of things like colour response, maturity, crazing, glaze surface phenomena such as mattness, shininess and orange-peel surface, as well as opalescence, opacity, colour-break phenomena etc. Another feature of the workshop is the use of "mass production" techniques to make and apply glazes quickly, and also cooperative division of labour sharing out the work between groups and sharing the results. A lot will be achieved in two days.

Anyone wishing to purchase Ian Currie's books can get them at the workshop, or they can purchase them immediately by credit card from his web site: http://ian.currie.to/ If paying by credit card, the books will take about a week to arrive, or if airmailing a money order or bank draft, allow 2 to 3 weeks. Click here for more about Ian Currie.

FEE: $85

REGISTER HERE -  register by contacting us at registrar@nottinghamarts.org
                                                                                           (click on this email address)