7.07-13.07. RAKUPAKU vol. 2
Block printing and raku-pottery workshop
Tutors: ceramist Ingrid Allik , textile designer Monika Järg
The Raku-pottery and block printing workshop is a workshop for those, who are engaged in related field (artists, designers, art teachers and handicraft teachers). If the weather is beautiful, the workshop will take place in the yard of the museum, and so the process of how objects are crafted using the techniques for block printing and raku-pottery can be observed by all interested people. The workshop brings together the techniques of woodblock printing and raku-pottery and as a result, a collection of practical clayware and furnishing textiles is made. The crafted items are intented to a specific interior, where they will later be used or to a person to whom they are gifted.
When using the print block it is possible to leave an image on the surface. This kind of image may be a pattern, an emotion, or yourself. The print block image can be carved into the surface with a piece of wood, stone, cardboard, or with a finger. The image can be fragile or strong, visible or invisible - just as the author wishes to capture and handle the image.
The concept of raku (in Japanese: joy, pleasure, relaxation, simplicity) was developed in the 16th century in Japan with the spread of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony. Today, in the Western world, this word is marking the technology of ceramics. It is carried out by taking porous clay objects quickly out of the kiln by using tongs and putting them in a container with combustible material. If the pottery-making process usually closes with putting the object in the kiln, then in raku-pottery the process continues. In the workshop it is possible to see with your own eyes how the glaze begins to melt in the kiln. The participant will take the pottery from the kiln and will put the final touches on the pottery after cooling. All of this within hours!
This year the workshop will mainly focus on 'naked raku'. In this specific technique the only print on the surface of a ready-made pottery is the drawing of smoke that penetrates the removable layer of clay during the final firing process. We will also experiment the "painting" on the pottery with suitable herbs and smoke.
Both the clay as well as the textile are good materials to print on - sensitive, flexible, and with many practical applications. Workshop will unite ceramics and textiles through block printing, in order to give participants an experience in the usage of various materials used for the same purpose. How does a print I created works on different materials? How can I create and amplify a message, an expression, texture and colour through that?
Workshop begins with preparing the blocks, which are made of different materials. By cutting, gluing, and binding, one can prepare suitable tools or blocks for printing into the clay or on textile. The workshop will continue with moulding the pottery, printing the patterns on the prepared items of clay and textile and glazing and firing the pottery. Finally the most interesting and spectacular outcome of the workshop will be exposed on an exhibition in the Evald Okas Museum.
Registration and information:
Prior registration is required for participation via e-mail: eo.muuseum@gmail.com or by calling RAKUPAKU workshop contact number +372 53 406 402.
The cost of the workshop is 55 EUR, which includes tuition, firing the pottery and materials - clay and glaze materials for pottery, different fabric and color for making samples of printing on textile. To make larger scale printing on textile, material should be provided by the workshop participant. The suitable materials include cotton, linen, polyester and composite textiles with polyester. All fabrics must endure long-term ironing at 120˚C. If possible bring along your own tool-kit for pottery making. Of course the basic tools you can also find on the spot. Participation fee can be payed at the beginning of the workshop in the museum or on the bank account: MTÜ Evald Okase Muuseum, 221022264616, Swedbank It is also possible to be accomodated in the museum. For more information please contact us by e-mail. |