marc mancuso on fri 19 mar 99
hi all,
The comments on using fresh leaves as stencils for slip decoration and
texture were very nice. Kinda makes me want to climb trees for hours. For
Art research, you understand.
Reading the posts also brought to mind a vague memory of leaves being used
in a very different way. Maybe someone can verify or debunk what I think I
remember....
A teacher once described the process required to create rather subtle and
attractive "image" of leaves in the bottom of a bowl. I think we had a
photograph to look at. The technique was not a variation on slip or
textural effects using leaves while the clay was impressionable, but relied
on the chemical composition of the leaves affecting the glaze itself in the
firing. It was also different from a typical ash glaze that runs and blends
somewhat because in this case, just one or two leaves cause a specific
visible leaf pattern. I'm annoyed I can't describe exactly what it looks
like, either because I never saw the pot in question, or don't remember
what I did see.
I also remember that you can't just toss in some leaves and hope something
happens. It may be that the species only grew in An Exotic Location and
required Very Exacting Techniques.
Apparently domestic situations are just too normal.
The soil composition must play a big role in achieving the special effect,
as well as what materials this particular plant takes up and stores in its
leaves. (A leaf or two of many species would just burn away without doing
much.) The leaves might have to be harvested at a specific time in the
plant's life cycle, since its age changes how plants plays with their food.
Then there's finding a base glaze sensitive enough to changes in the
presence of what must be minute quantities of the important stuff
....somehow I don't think this effect happens very often even under the best
of conditions.
Perhaps I am perpetuating a myth, but it's a *pretty* myth....
No doubt, there were also secret rituals and sacrifices to ensure that
wonders happen in the kiln.... Oh wait. We do that already.
take care
enjoy NCECA, you lucky dogs :)
Marc
Marc Mancuso
http://web.mit.edu/mmancuso/www/
"Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun."
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