Rachel and Eric on sat 12 dec 98
Thanks potters for your enthusiastic response to this years Oaxaca trips.
There has been so much response that I've organized a February study tour
just a bit different than the earlier study tours. For details read on below.
FIVE VILLAGES STUDY TOUR
The Five Villages Study Tour is based out of Oaxaca, Mexico and is six
days in duration. The trip cost is $540. This includes hotel, most meal and
museum fees. Our groups are personal, limited to six participants to
maximize the quality of the trip and mimimize our impact in the villages we
visit.
Trips dates: Feb 8-13, 1999
An in-field overview of traditional, Southern Mexican, indigenous pottery
and introduction to the master trade potters of the territory. A variety of
currently practiced, pre-Colombian potting methods will be observed with a
special focus on distinctive woodfiring methods and non-glaze surface
decoration. This will be backed by an introduction to master potters working
within a continuous and ancient tradition of functional pottery. The history
of Southern Mexican pottery and cultures will also be examined in order to
place the pottery within its historical framework. There will also be
discussions about the place of these potters and pottery in modern society.
Through a study of the wheelless hand forming techniques we will see some
of the possibilities that can be achieved with an absolute simplicity if
tools and a high level of practiced skill. Additionally we will see the
variety of glazeless finishes that can be had through such techniques as
burnishing, slipping, scraping and vegitable staining.
The firings present an interesting and ancient alternative to more familiar
methods. Of interest are again the simplicity of equipment necessary as well
as the quickness of the firing and the wild effects of the process on the
overall finish of the pot.
Both the pottery and potters exist in a living tradition that brings to
life the roots of pottery in general: pottery that is made for the most
necessary of functions and that serves the local community. Through
experiencing this we can gain perspective and deeper understanding of our
own relationship with clay.
Please e-mail for further details
Rachel Werling
and/or
Eric Mindling
Manos de Oaxaca
AP 1452
Oaxaca, Oax.
CP 68000
M E X I C O
http://www.foothill.net/~mindling
fax 011 52 (952) 1-4186
email: rayeric@antequera.com
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