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chinese clay art news sept. 08

updated fri 29 aug 08

 

Guangzhen Zhou on thu 28 aug 08


Chinese Clay Art Newsletter 0809
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Additional tips for the China Trip=20
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Be careful of Counterfeit in China
Counterfeiting is a common problem in China. Sometimes=2C it is very hard t=
o tell the differences. When you are traveling in China=2C you should alway=
s prepare some small change for pay to street venders or taxi drivers.
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Do NOT bring any counterfeit DVD and food products back into the US
In many big cities=2C at evening you may be able to see some street vendors=
who are selling American movies for 7 to 8 RMB (About $1.10) each. Please =
don=92t bring any of this kind of DVD into the US=2C because the penalty wi=
ll be $10=2C000 for each copy if you got caught by the customer officers at=
the US airport. Also=2C please do NOT bring any food products (Tea is OK) =
into the US which are forbidden by the US Agricultural Department.
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Chinese & US Currency Converter Chart for Travelers
By Chinese Clay Art USA=2C 2008/08/23




RMB=3DUDS

RMB=3DUSD

RMB=3DUSD


1 =3D 0.15

10 =3D 1.46

50 =3D 7.30


2 =3D 0.29

15 =3D 2.19

60 =3D 8.77


3 =3D 0.44

20 =3D 2.92

70 =3D 10.23


4 =3D 0.58

25 =3D 3.65

80 =3D 11.69


5 =3D 0.73

30 =3D 4.38

90 =3D 13.15


6 =3D 0.88

35 =3D 5.11

=20


7 =3D 1.02

40 =3D 5.84

=20


8 =3D 1.17

45 =3D 6.57

=20


9 =3D 1.31

=20

=20
=20
Based on $1 =3D =A56.82
=20
=20
The Decal Tissues Were Burned Out
About the decal tissues that were burned out:
Early in August=2C I got a call from a female potter who complained about t=
he fact that her decal tissues burned out=2C and she said that some other p=
otters have had the same problem. We have one large kiln only=2C so I didn'=
t try it out until she called me. I was happy that I received her calls and=
did the test.
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I have tested two pieces=2C one was correctly placed and the other was reve=
rsed. The results are: The first one is perfect=2C and the second one burne=
d out. I think the problem was that the decals were upside down.
=20
Here is the suggestion I received from her:
Po=2C a good idea would be to change your printed directions and say=2C ver=
y specifically=2C that this is done JUST THE OPPOSITE OF REGULAR DECALS. As=
you probably know=2C regular decals in the US are put on shiny face up...s=
o this creates confusion and problems. Thanks=2C I will be in touch.
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Decal Usage
Apply over a fired glaze surface only. Clean up the ceramic surface with in=
dustrial alcohol (about 75%). Prepare a pan of water enough to cover the si=
ze of the decal paper. Add 3% alcohol in the water. Dip the decal paper int=
o the water=2C take it out right away and then slide it onto the surface to=
attach it (The glossy side of the paper faces down). Use a soft rubber scr=
aper to smooth and drive out any air bubbles. Fire it in oxidation (normall=
y in an electrical kiln) at cone 018-017 (750-780=BAC). Keep the kiln door =
slightly open until the paper burns off (about 300=BAC)=2C or the images ma=
y become burnt. Allow the temperature to cool down naturally after having s=
hut off the electricity. The images will be transferred to the glazed surfa=
ce permanently after the firing.
For details=2C please click at www.ChineseClayArt.com=20
=20
New DVD =93Sylvia Hyman Eternal Wonder=94 by Film House Inc. Nashville=2C T=
ennessee. $39.95=2C Special discount $35.00 until the end of September 2008=
.=20
Sylvia Hyman was in her forties when she first began working in clay=2C qui=
ckly gaining international recognition. Five decades later she continues t=
o re-invent herself as an artist as she pushes the boundaries of her medium=
.
Sylvia Hyman: Eternal Wonder traces the evolution of Hyman=92s career as an=
artist. As a master of =93trompe l=92oeil clay=94=2C Hyman=92s sculptures=
inspire both disorientation and delight when viewers realize that everyday=
objects that appear to be made of wood=2C cardboard and paper are actually=
superbly realized simulations made of clay. Hyman uses porcelain and ston=
eware to create items like letters=2C maps=2C scrolls of sheet music and bo=
oks that are often grouped in containers such as berry baskets and cardboar=
d and wooden boxes=2C also made of clay.
And while her artistic achievements are already internationally recognized=
=2C Sylvia Hyman: Eternal Wonder provides a truly inspirational portrait of=
both the artist and the person=2C as we discover an artist at the peak of =
her powers as she prepares to celebrate her 90th birthday.
This DVD includes the 10 minute version that was created as part of the Fir=
st Center for the Visual Arts exhibit Sylvia Hyman: Fictional Clay=2C as we=
ll as the 23 minute director=92s cut that has been shown in film festivals =
around the world. The DVD also includes a photo portfolio of over 400 imag=
es tracing all the stages of Hyman=92s work=2C from the earliest functional=
pieces to her more recent sculptures.=20
=20
Texture Mats Sales extend to Spet. 10=2C 2008
Texture Mats=2C PA 02B=2C 4/set of rubber mats (PA 02-#2=2C #4=2C #5 and #6=
)=2C was $48.00=2C Discount price is $38.00.
Texture Mats=2C PA 210B=2C 4/set of plastic mats (PA 212=2C PA 214=2C PA 21=
8 and PA219)=2C was $48=2C Discount price is $38.00.
Texture Mats=2C PA 210C=2C 4/set in half size (PA 212s=2C PA 214s=2C PA 218=
s and PA219s)=2C was $24=2C Discount price is $20.00.=20
Guangzhen "Po" ZhouChinese Clay Art Corp. / ClayGroundClay Art Supplies an=
d Studio1155 S. De Anza Blvd. San Jose=2C CA 95129Mailling address:PO Box 1=
733=2C Cupertino=2C CA 95015Tel. 408-343-3919=2C Fax. 408-343-0117www.Chine=
seClayArt.com=2C ChineseClayArt@hotmail.comArt Tools are Part of Art Works.=