Kayb on tue 22 feb 05
I am a prof. of sculpture/ceramics, really I am more of a sculptor. Recently I have
become interested in the use of ceramics for large scale sculpture. I have a
commission for 6 pieces 5'x18"x18"x18" triangular pylons. Exciting.
My issue is how to fire these babies in sections. We only have a 22" deep kiln and it
seems no one in the area has anything bigger. I am wondering if the sections can
be fired seperately in our electic kiln--or is it too risky. I fear the pieces will shrink
differently even in a controlled electronic electic kiln. Am I being too precautious?
Does anyone have any other ideas?
Another question is how to anchor these babies. I was thinking of putting a steel rod
through the center and then anchoring that in a cement counter sink. Like a steel
sculpture. Is this reasonable?
Any help anyone could offer on any of these topics would be helpful. I am a rookie
for sure.
Ama Menec on wed 23 feb 05
Hi Kayb,
For the firing, you could make a flat packed kiln to fit them, as Ian
Gregory does, (and he give the plans for), so that you could fire them all
in one go, and not have to divide them up into lengths. This would be gas
fired using a gas torch, maybe two; maybe someone in your area could lend
you some, and the kilns are very easy to make from Steel mesh and ceramic
fibre.
As for anchoring, can't really advise about what base to use but I have used
a steel rod inside one of my larger sculptures. I got some copper piping,
such as used for plumbing, and put that inside my sculpture, held in place
by builders expandable foam, which you can inject inside. It sets really
hard and can be cut and sawn if any projects out anywhere. Then the
sculpture just slides down onto the steel pin and so the sculpture is able
to be removed or turned around. I've used this for a large pirouetting
woman, made from thrown sections, fired and then pirouetting on a steel pin
welded onto a round steel plate as a base. You could anchor the steel rods
into the ground, (cement them in), and just use the builders expandable foam
and no copper pipe sleeve if you want it to be permanent. Let us see the
finished thing when you get it done. Best of luck.
Ama Menec, Totnes, Devon.
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Marek & Pauline Drzazga-Donaldson on wed 23 feb 05
Dear Kay b,
firing in sections in a controlled setting should cause no problems, =
make sure that parts to be joined are at the same height in the kiln, so =
if you have several sections the respective joining areas are either at =
the top of the kiln or at the bottom.
Securing can be a simple matter of epoxy resin, mix in some colourant =
(powder paints etc.)to match your piece. If you want belt and braces =
then build your sculpture with sockets to locate each piece. I would go =
for the simpler version of using epoxy, as I use it constantly in my =
Architectural Ceramic Projects.
Happy potting Marek www.no9uk.com www.moley.uk.com
Michael Wendt on wed 23 feb 05
To the unknown writer who did not sign the post:
Electric kilns are perfect for this.
With a sectional kiln, you can essentially join two or more electric kilns
into one giant kiln as tall as you can build.
It will require you to power them on circuits separate from each other just
as if they were sitting on the floor separate.
Use cones throughout to assure uniform firing.
Good Luck!
Michael Wendt
Wendt Pottery
2729 Clearwater Ave
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
USA
wendtpot@lewiston.com
www.wendtpottery.com
unknown writer wrote:
I am a prof. of sculpture/ceramics, really I am more of a sculptor.
Recently I have
become interested in the use of ceramics for large scale sculpture. I have
a
commission for 6 pieces 5'x18"x18"x18" triangular pylons. Exciting.
My issue is how to fire these babies in sections. We only have a 22" deep
kiln and it
seems no one in the area has anything bigger. I am wondering if the
sections can
be fired separately in our electric kiln--or is it too risky. I fear the
pieces will shrink
differently even in a controlled electronic electric kiln. Am I being too
precautious?
Does anyone have any other ideas?
Another question is how to anchor these babies. I was thinking of putting a
steel rod
through the center and then anchoring that in a cement counter sink. Like a
steel
sculpture. Is this reasonable?
Any help anyone could offer on any of these topics would be helpful. I am a
rookie
for sure.
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