We invite you to join us for a 4-week workshop of kiln building, creating ceramics from local geology and observing the firing of created works in a newly built kiln at high temperatures.
We have been preparing for this final act of kiln building with the help of Taiwanese team of wood-firers for the past 8 years. This October we prepared this project to the point where we will finalize it with the act of building a high temperature wood kiln.
Workshop includes:
- • In-depth lectures about high temperature wood-firing kilns and kiln building with practical implementation
- • In-depth lectures and preparation of local clay mixtures for temperatures over 1400°C
- • In-depth lectures and preparation of local glaze mixtures for temperatures over 1400°C
- • Hand building workshop – production of ceramics
- • Firing of produced ceramics at 1400°C
Kiln builders of Taiwan
Zhunan Sake kiln was established in 1972 by the late Lin Tien-Fu who led nine craftsmen and an ox, made his own moulds, produced three thousand adobe bricks and worked nine days to complete the 25-meter long snake kiln. At the time, the kiln produced mainly ceramic flower pots. Zhunan Snake Kiln is one of the few remaining snake kilns in Taiwan that is well-preserved and still firing.
In the 1980’s Zhunan Snake Kiln underwent a transformation to move from the traditional pottery industry to folk craft ceramics. Recently they have been dedicated to the creation of wood-fired ceramic art, research of ceramic culture, and courses in traditional ceramic craft and wood-firing. They also promotes Taiwanese ceramic kiln culture through international events.
In 2001 Zhunan Snake Kiln was selected as one of Taiwan’s 100 Historic Buildings, then registered as a Historic Building of Miaoli County in 2002. In 2012, the second generation kiln master Lin Jui-Hwa was selected as a Taiwan Craft Family. Zhunan Snake Kiln is operated as an ecological museum of traditional pottery, extending the Taiwanese ceramic and kiln culture heritage as well as promoting the lifestyle aesthetics of wood-fired ceramic art. It aims to pioneer a new path between traditional craft and modern art.
In 50 years since its founding, surrounded by rice fields, Zhunan Snake Kiln now stands in the middle of the Zhunan Town. Firing in the way that minimizes pollution in an urban area of Taiwan island made Zhunan Snake Kiln’s leading potter Lin Jui-Hwa think about alternative ways of firing and also kiln building. He developed a techniques and kiln architecture that allows him to reach extremely high temperatures at the most sufficient and ecological way. With that philosophy he wanted to show how high temperature ceramics can be at its peak: the most energy efficient, durable, and beautiful all at once. His philosophy combines profound qualities of ancient ways of creating and firing ceramics with wood, a way that is quite difficult to achieve in modern times of living.
In 2013 Lin Jui-Hwa revealed wood-fired works fired at 1551℃. In 2016 he set the Guinness World Record of 1563℃, the highest known temperature for wood-fired ceramics. However, hidden behind these figures is a deeper meaning and a vision for the future of ceramics.
We invite you to read more about wood firing here.
At his side are working his wife Sophia, his closest colleague Liank Wu and niece Yu-Ting Teng, also a potter, who will all join us here in Slovenia.
Eco-Friendly Wood Firing
There is a lot to consider to be a responsible wood-firer. Optimisation of energy and sustainability of creating any kind of art are two of the most important aspects of our modern thinking in our studio as well as in the Ceramic Center Zhunan Snake Kiln.
To truly work with nature is to take care of it in a way that it efficiently regenerates itself and our impact is only a gentle change of time and space that recycles itself easily.
In our mission towards sustainability and ecology we considered building materials for the kiln to be the best and locally made, for firing we sourced waste wood from local saw-mills and for producing ceramics we searched for ingredients that are naturally available in the region.
Zhunan Snake Kiln wrote:
“A lot of people mistakenly think wood-firing is harmful to the environment: wood is burnt, trees are cut, and black smoke is created. However, in fact, wood-firing is the most environmentally friendly way to fire ceramics. It can even become an eco-friendly lifestyle that revolutionizes the values of human civilization.”
We invite you to read more here.
Local Geology
Our studio specialises in research of local geology and in creation of functional ceramics from wild and locally sourced materials. We will spend some time in nature and look for materials that are suitable for production of ceramics. After acquiring local materials we will begin to produce mixtures that are suitable for high temperature firing at 1400°C or more. We will create recipes for a number of clay bodies, different in composition, texture and colour.
We will continue with hand building and finish our pieces with clay slips and high temperature glazes. Materials like quartz sand, kaolin, red clays, local marl from under our feet and different tree ashes will be used.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Week 1
We will begin with introductory lectures about kiln building and sustainable wood-firing and about clay mixtures that are necessary to withstand high temperatures. Afterwards the participants will divide into two groups. First group will start with the actual kiln building that will be led by Lin Jui-Hwa and his colleagues. Assignments and plans will be given every day in the morning. Second team will start preparing the materials and start with production of ceramic pieces that will be later loaded to the newly built kiln. In the afternoon two groups will change position; first group will continue with ceramic production and second group will learn and do kiln building. In that way both groups will experience both kiln building and creation of ceramics each day.
Week 2
We repeat week one.
Week 3
We slowly start finishing with kiln and ceramics building. Glaze theory and glazing will take place as well as the loading of the kiln.
Week 4 – Firing
Zhunan Snake Kiln will give lecture about eco-friendly wood-firing. After the lecture participants will observe the firing in quiet contemplation. Firing will be performed by the Taiwanese firing team in order to fine tune the newly built kiln and to make precise observations of the kiln architecture for future structural improvements. Participants observe the process quietly and assist with wood. After each day detailed observations will be further explained and passed down to participants.
Achieving 1400°C or more in a large kiln requires attuned focus and attention. We will promote, teach and observe this technique of firing that is different from the traditional wood-firings. Imagine playing the piano. One can hit the keys with fists and loud music will come out. But only subtle and balanced pressing of chosen keys will give out harmonious melody. Exactly that can be translated to firing; one can throw large blocks of wood into the kiln and fire will rage, but only with a sensibility and understanding of the fire, fire can play harmoniously and create sophisticated high temperature sustainable ceramics.
Firing will take up to 80 hours. After that we will take some free time, and on the last weekend together we will solemnly open the kiln and see what has been born from our hard effort.
Kiln opening is planned for November 5th.
PLEASE note that we will try our best to keep with the outlined schedule, but we ask you to take into consideration that time and activities can slightly flow one into another.
Add on
Accommodation
We chose a number of vineyard cottages and rooms in the nearby area. Additional fees apply.
Food
We chose a selection of local restaurants to intensify the flavour of your experience. Additional fees apply.
Payment info
To book this workshop a payment of 400 EUR is required (this is non-refundable).
1st payment of 400 EUR is done with registration.
2nd payment of 700 EUR is by end of July.
3rd payment of 700 EUR is by end of August.
4th payment of 600 EUR is by end of September.
Cancellation is possible.
Apply to Workshop →
Date
7th October – 5th November 2023
Time range
Full day workshop
Location
Črešnjice,
Novo mesto,
Slovenia →
Available spaces
10 people
Price
2400€ / person
Possibility of payment in 4 parts
More info
studio@anjaslapnicar.com →
Apply to workshop
Open application form →
High temperature wood-firing workshop with Zhunan Snake kiln from Taiwan
You can skip building the kiln and just join us for a wood-firing experience with local geology.
Week 1
21. – 27. October
We will begin with introductory lectures about sustainable wood-firing and about clay mixtures that are necessary to withstand high temperatures. Afterwards the participants will start preparing the materials and start with production of ceramic pieces. Afterward the lecture about glaze theory follows and glazing will take place as well as the loading of the kiln.
Week 2
28. – 31. October
Zhunan Snake Kiln will give lecture about eco-friendly wood-firing. After the lecture participants will observe the firing in quiet contemplation. Firing will be performed by the Taiwanese firing team in order to fine tune the newly built kiln and to make precise observations of the kiln architecture for future structural improvements. Participants observe the process quietly and assist with wood. After each day detailed observations will be further explained and passed down to participants.
Achieving 1400°C or more in a large kiln requires attuned focus and attention. We will promote, teach and observe this technique of firing that is different from the traditional wood-firings. Imagine playing the piano. One can hit the keys with fists and loud music will come out. But only subtle and balanced pressing of chosen keys will give out harmonious melody. Exactly that can be translated to firing; one can throw large blocks of wood into the kiln and fire will rage, but only with a sensibility and understanding of the fire, fire can play harmoniously and create sophisticated high temperature sustainable ceramics.
Firing will take up to 80 hours. After that we will take some free time, and on the last weekend together we will solemnly open the kiln and see what has been born from our hard effort.
Kiln opening is planned for November 5th.
PLEASE note that we will try our best to keep with the outlined schedule, but we ask you to take into consideration that time and activities can slightly flow one into another.
Payment info
To book this workshop a payment of 400 EUR is required (this is non-refundable).
1st payment of 400 EUR is done with registration.
2nd payment of 400 EUR is by end of July.
3rd payment of 400 EUR is by end of August.
4th payment of 400 EUR is by end of September.
Cancellation is possible.
Apply to Workshop →
Date
21st October – 5th November 2023
Time range
Full day workshop
Location
Črešnjice,
Novo mesto,
Slovenia →
Available spaces
5 people
Price
1600€ / person
Possibility of payment in 4 parts
More info
studio@anjaslapnicar.com →
Apply to workshop
Open application form →