where I have landed…

Porcelain, wild iron inclusions, galvanized steel, cobalt matte slip surface; ^9 gas reduction fired; Pate de verre molded glass, galvanized steel, electric fired to 1375F; steel cable suspension; 6’ x 6” 1/2”; 2025.

A near miss. My goal of creating a composition of suspended porcelain & glass square forms in appearance only.. After much testing and modifying how the galv steel wire was used it did not behave as expected. Testing suggested I would achieve a very interesting albeit fragile decorative material. Something completely different occurred so I will try again after the New Year.

Because the wire melted entirely, the pieces shown here had to be smashed off the shelves and puzzled back together with epoxy. They are so fragile I was able to suspend them just long enough to snap a few photos. All the same, these results are very interesting and inspiring to me so I need to keep working. This isn’t the last word on this project.

*Note the dusty appearance of the glass which was mentioned in the previous post.

Across the board every piece adhered to the kiln shelves. It’s a surprisingly lovely display, but my kiln shelves are toast.

This project is what I would call an emotional rollercoaster. After walking away for a day or so I could appreciate the beauty and returned with my hammer and gloves.

The wires shown here are what I anticipated, a softened Pompeiian look. I chipped ceramic pieces away, puzzled several of them back together and ended with something that while extremely fragile was breathtaking in person.

I will be thinking through the process of 1) how to get similar results that have structural integrity, and 2) how to save my shelves. Stay tuned.