Stephani Stephenson on sat 26 jun 10
once upon a time there was a teacher who explained glazes to his beginni=
=3D
ng
ceramic students, with a rather simplified yet utterly unforgettable anal=
=3D
ogy.
Scientifically , this analogy may not be accurate, but on waking this
morning ,it occurred to me that it had some value when applied not only t=
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o
glazes, but to the current state of affairs in Clayburb.
I also tuned into CLAYART this week ,after not checking it for awhile.
there was a joke, and it was a bad joke and an offensive one at that, and=
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there was valid calling out of the bad joke and objection to the joke an=
=3D
d
defense of the joker and there was much commentary and drama in the wake =
=3D
of
this and there were side dramas, and the sound of screen doors slamming i=
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n
the summer heat.
And it reminded me of the glaze analogy.
Glazes are made up of 3 things: silica, fluxes(melters), and alumina(stif=
=3D
fener)
you need all three for a good glaze. imagine you are throwing a party an=
=3D
d
the glaze ingredients are your party guests. you want this to be the best=
=3D
party ever.
so you invite all of the fine upstanding citizens in the community: civic=
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leaders, ministers, etc. these are the silica. they are the backbone of
your community. problem is, by themselves, they aren't much fun at a part=
=3D
y.
they tend to be a little too straitlaced to do much mixing or interact.
their melting point is just a little too high. they could be at the party=
=3D
forever and eventually consume all the food, in a polite, appropriate way=
=3D
,
of course, but no glaze, or memorable party would ever occur.
So you invite a few comedians and musicians. Think of the best ones you
know.The musicians begin to play. The comedians tell riotous stories, dan=
=3D
ce
funny, and interact with the upstanding citizens. pretty soon the party i=
=3D
s
jumping and the=3D20
siliconians are loosening up a bit. unfortunately or not, one of the
comedians spiked the punch, so after awhile the party is not only jumpin=
=3D
g,
it is starting to run off the pot, if you get my drift. if the situation
continues, people will begin to hurl into the potted plants , do and say
regrettable things and even do bodily harm to themselves.=3D20
the glaze will be off the pot and onto the shelf.
so you invite some aluminites; those people who have a way of saying, "he=
=3D
y
buddy,=3D20
i think you've had enough", or "let me drive you home", "help me talk you=
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down","we can work this out", "how about a big hug", or ,"honey, are you=
=3D
=3D20
sure you want to do that backflip in those spike heels?" Aluminites help
keep the party on the pot.
OK, that didn't sound right...
Anyway, some nights are better than others on the Ramshead Mug, but you n=
=3D
eed
all three to make for a good glaze.
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