mel jacobson on tue 17 oct 06
i had a wonderful conversation years back
with a noted german sculptor/clay.
she was very clear that when doing extended
pieces...arms, legs...it was important to NOT us
plastic film.
she used linen....she wrapped the extended pieces in
linen sort of bandages. even drying, and still able
to work on the piece the next day.
it is like the concept of using paper. things do not
live well in a rain forest. when you wrap to much in film,
the water comes off the piece but then returns
like rain drops. just drape newspaper over and around
a group of pots...it slows the drying, but does not
let the pot stay totally wet.
i had a talk with some potters in mata ortiz.
they were having huge problems with cracks in
the handles of wedding pots...two spouts, connected
with a handle.
they crack.
it was very obvious to me that they had three very
hard pulling tensions, two spouts, two connections
with a thin handle...it had to crack.
i suggested a wooden grid. place the pots upside
down to dry, and cover the base/upside with a
tee shirt. i am happy to report..it works.
they sent me a nice email...`tell the big silver
haired gringo to stop any time. his system works.`
i totally agree with snail, the plastic bag, bucket and
sheets of plastic film are the greatest boon to potters
since the beginning of time.
but, do not over cover everything with plastic film.
or, if you do. keep some holes punched in the plastic
to let moisture out.
it is like finding half done pots, totally sheathed in
plastic film in the back of a locker in an art center.
the piece has been there since 1978.
mel
from: mel/minnetonka.mn.usa
website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
Clayart page link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
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