John Baymore on fri 16 apr 04
And then there is the point that we are learning how to make
copper-containing glazes that are very attractive AND very stable. No
you probably can't make the near-metallic sheen of an Oribe, but that
is about the only thing you can't duplicate or nearly duplicate in
stable copper-containing glazes. But you have to learn how and pay
attention to what you are doing.
John,
Hi. Just a little side point here........ but it is related (in my usual=
obtuse way ).
The American use of the term "Oribe" when applied to these copper
containing glazes is often quite a bit different from the Japanese
interpretation of the traditional glazes used on Oribe wares. This is
somewhat similar to the typical American potter's "undersanding" of the
"traditional" raku process. American style raku process and wares and
Japanese raku process and wares are sort of like second cousins
..... not brothers. "American Shino" glazes are another example of this.=
They look very different....... more "dramatic" and "in your face". Th=
e
glaze formulations are often quite different. They too are cousins.
Most American "Oribe" glazes I have seen contain WAY more copper than the=
Japanese predecessors do.......... and yes they do frequently have that
"metallic sheen" and little black flecks that are mentioned. However,
traditional Japanese oribe green glazes do NOT tend to have this particul=
ar
characteristic.
Many American oribe glazes are oversaturated with copper to the point of
significant surface precipitation occuring on cooling. This gives them
their flashy, dramatic and very beautiful character. Those that are a
little less oversupplied just get a nice overall almost semi-gloss metall=
ic
sheen of micro crystaline copper bearing compounds . A nice hazy, smoky
translucent green. There is no way that the copper in these American-sty=
le
glazes is even CLOSE to stable. In fact, even saying that the copper is =
IN
the glazes is a bit of a misnomer . We should say something more like=
the copper is ON these glazes .
I think it isw important to note that Japanese Oribe green glazes typical=
ly
do NOT exhibt this somewhat unique surface characteristic. They are
suryp-ey, transparent deep green gloss. They only go opaque where very
thinck and then the opaque quality is from the thickness of the green not=
from the surface going metallic. The surfaces are typically quite glossy=
and smooth. I was just checking a number of pieces from my collection
including some historical as well as contemporary artists like Ogawa
Hirohisa and Matsuzaki Ken's work.
Nope..... no visual "surface copper" precipitation indications.
Like in developing the flashiness of American style Raku........ American=
Oribe has taken the core "concept" of Oribe... and "one upped" it . I=
f
a little copper is good... a lot of copper must be better! If a lot of=
copper is good.... TONS of copper must be even better. Bigger is better.=
=
It's the American way .
Please note that I am in NO WAY saying here that Japanse oribe glazes do
not likely leach some copper..... just saying that maybe a bit more of a
distinction in terminology and "taxonomy" should be considered. =
best,
.........................john
John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086-5812 USA
JBaymore@compuserve.com
http://www.JohnBaymore.com
603-654-2752 (studio)
800-900-1110 (studio)
"Earth, Water, and Fire Noborigama Woodfiring Workshop: August 2004 Date=
s
TBA"
| |
|
