SEA, EARTH, FIRE
LEADING MASTER CLASS ON CERAMICS
led by ALEX P. NORDEN. Info: airbgr.com
VENUE : Ionion Center for the Arts and Culture, Greek Island Kefalonia
DATES : SESSION 1 : August 22nd –August 27th 2017
SESSION 2 : August 29th – September 4th 2017
ELIGIBILITY : Open to every interested world wide . (subject to early enrolment & formality of the process)
Overview
The Attendants of the master class will gain necessary skills for creating decorative ceramics with self-made glazes in a self-made kiln, gas or wood fired, budget and environmentally friendly. Draw inspiration from the rich Greek ceramic heritage.
At the end of the course, students will have skills to make decorative ceramics on their own, with locally sourced materials, adapted for wherever they live. The basis of using local materials and drawing inspiration from the surrounding environment provides ample means of self-expression and self-reliance.
Schedule and flexibility
The course takes 7 days to 14 days, depending on student interest.
If the participants would like to combine the ceramic course with other activities, they can participate 3 days total, spread over 1 or 2 weeks.
Embracing the local Greek ceramic artists
Class activities are planned so that local Greek attendants can attend only the glaze making and firing part of the courses ( half-day instruction in the evening, 2 day weekend glaze and firing ).
Exhibition
Exhibition of the created ceramics will take place in the end of the class
Activities during the class:
Research
Greek heritage, Greek Art and the Sea, and Kefalonian heritage of ceramics. The activities can be done with guidance from the Instructor, or under self-study, depending on student schedule and interest.
The Sea
Sami : Visit the ancient acropolis of Sami, with it’s ample ceramic tile shards, and the famous Antisamos Beach, observing ceramic remains spread on the beach.
Skala : observe the amphoras during snorkeling via boat or beach, depending on student interest ( extra activity or self-guided )
Ancient Cemeteries and castle: Visiting the ancient burial sites and reviewing the rich ceramic heritage and importance of ceramics for archaeology.
Self-study :Visit the local museums and observe the traditional farming exhibit and the ceramic items on display. Review suggested reading list at the Argostoli library.
Creation
A presentation with a brief overview of Greek ceramics is given during the first day of the class, while students are working with clay.
Students make clay items during the first 2 days of the course for firing during last 2 days of the course
Specifics of making ceramics for rapid firing and high-stress ( clay selection, shamotte )
Glazes – making your own glazes from scratch. Iron, Ash, clays and fluxes.
Firing
Students get to:
make their own tongs for taking work out of the fire
participate in making a ceramic fiber raku ceramic kiln
learn about different methods for firing decorative ceramics – gas, wood, and open fire ( pit fire )
Fire their own items and observe different techniques for post-firing
Using locally available “trash” like fallen leaves, seaweed and wood for sustainable decoration
Ionion inspiration – Local materials
– Collecting salt infused driftwood and seaweed by the sea to affect glazes during firing
– Local clay for some of the glazes
– Making own experimental chamotte
– Mixing clays for testing and what to look for in pre-made clays
About the Instructor Alex P. Norden
Website: airbgr.com
Taught through a traditional apprenticeship with Hiro Sato, Alex is a potter working globally, with a ceramic workshop in Sweden and ample years of instruction experience.
Exhibited worldwide, his work is represented internationally, including the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art ( USA ).
Alex is winner of the SEA(S)ARTS ,INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION 2016 grant.
Preliminary Schedule
Mandatory
1 to 2 days self- study before start of course. Suggested reading list, PDF course material.
Day 1 – making ceramics, material overview
Day 2 – making glazes and kiln, firing technique theory
Day 3 – Kiln firing
4 days, Optional Art, material and technique research and ceramics creation spanning 4 days.
ΑPPLICATION- TERMS – CONDITIONS
Web application: http://goo.gl/forms/q2f8aD9uzk
Email application: info@ionionartscenter.gr
In all cases is required the follow information in word document :full name of the applicant , postal address, phone, country , email address, web site(if available), profession, discipline , short statement of the applicant no longer than 200 words , short cv no longer than 200 words. In case of group /collective project( group -school- organization) is required title of the group -school- organization, full name of the person representing OR leading the group , postal address, phone, country , email address, web site(if available) of the group -school- organization , short statement no longer than 200 words , short cv of every group member no longer than 200 words.
Every submission requires an application/entry fee of euro 30, non refundable.
Each Application toward been considered must be completed including the follow:
-Short submission notice -3 lines- in word document addressed via email to the address info@ionionartscenter.gr
– The transfer confirm of the entry fee payment, Euro 30 for every separate application.
– CV/Biography of the participant or CV/Biography for each of the group members in case of group project(text in word document non exceeding the 200 words)
– A short statement (text in word document not exceeding the 200 words, short description of the expectations of the participant).
FEES (master class fees) &PAYMENT METHODS
Fees including tuition fees, 7 days full housing accommodation and personal support are based on the Ionion Center master classes pricing list 2017 , taxes added on the official invoices . For details please email to : info@ionionartscenter.gr
NOTICE
-All the submissions/ completed participations on the program are eligible for the year Grants 2017 of the Ionion Center for the Arts and Culture as follow:
- Grants connected to the residency of the year program : Starting from 1000 up to 30.000euro.
- Grants connected to the SEA(S) FORUM: Starting from 2000 up to 50.000euro per year(in case of formal participation in the SEA(S)2017).
- All the participations will be followed by Certificate
For additional information & personal support please email : ionionartscenter@gmail.com