In a process of twists and turns, here’s what happened next with my sculpture-in-progress mark 2.
The original question (about taking a more controlled approach to the creation of something) was ‘would it keep the true soul and everything I love about an enabled-but-random piece? Or would it be a too-precise-imitation of the original, lacking authenticity?’
With a sculpture about the natural atomic process of Spallation, an explosive reaction between high energy charged particles and solid matter, destruction is a requirement! With that in mind, how possible is it to achieve, if an element of control is also sought?
1. First firing with paste added to the copper-mesh covered ceramic form.
2. Fragments of the fired paste, still salting.
I’ve found out that it’s a game of balance, with a touch of technical know-how called upon, if need be, to get me out of a hole!
Image 1 shows a perfectly acceptable, uniform but dare I say slightly boring, finish after the paste firing. Some nice areas where the copper mesh has melted and slipped but nothing to grab attention other than the colour. I may well have stopped there and accepted that trying to control something, even a little, is not so rewarding sometimes. However, the technical side of working with certain materials kicked in and two days later, the whole piece was covered in dry, powdery white spots - image 2.
Disaster - or opportunity?? I chose opportunity.
Undeterred that I clearly got some ratios wrong in my ingredient measurements (of the salts which react within my paste to create a self-glazing aspect), I decided to push on to see if this could be undone. Now, any self respecting ceramicist would be less than impressed with this idea, but I’m coming at things from a completely different perspective. I’m not a ceramicist (and no offence intended to any of you lovely, talented masters of your crafts!) I’m an artist exploring materials under extreme heat (or extreme cold) and that’s a huge difference in our respective approach.
Over-salting results in the excess continuing to rise to the surface even after firing. This can sometimes be eliminated by wiping with vinegar or firing a second time if it’s only a small amount. But I decided on a different course to challenge chemistry and physics 🤭, not really understanding either, to see what would happen.
3. Mixing new paste.
4. Drying - and the salting process correctly under way (it’s a good thing at this stage!)
I mixed a new batch of paste and this time added fewer salts than should have been correct for the quantity. My theory being that maybe, just maybe, the salts already present in the fired piece would leach through into the new paste layer to create the balance needed. So with more copper mesh and new paste added, once thoroughly dry it underwent its third firing. And after several more days of waiting with bated breath to see if it had worked - success!
No white spots just a beautiful mix of textures and colour, from the metals, quartz pieces and granite to the cracks and crazing they helped to create. But one last addition would add something more - a risk worth taking or a step too far?
I’m nothing if not determined! So with some clear granite pieces randomly placed in the hope of creating some glassy runs and drips, I did firing number 4.
And the results are just amazing. I’m so pleased with this outcome. And so pleased that I carried onwards when I could easily have stopped. Pushing boundaries is so worthwhile whether with materials, or process or knowledge. There’s always something new to learn and if you want to become a master at something, you learn from mistakes to improve your chances of success moving forward. For myself, I prefer to see ‘mistakes’ as opportunities to take advantage of. Because you never know when you might hit on something new and truly unique. And that, for me, is massively more rewarding than aiming for perfection and, more often than not, ending up disappointed.
Every inch of surface is different, all created by melting, flowing, solidifying, separating, splitting and shattering. Beautiful.
It’s now ready to assemble with some additional rods, which will complete this sculptural piece.
And my conclusion? Calling on technical know-how but enabling chance helped me to push beyond expectation. And it resulted in something special, which my existing knowledge alone would not have created!
