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[Nov 2006]
UK Professor Demonstrates Ceramic Kiln Made From Newspaper
We read them and we once wrapped fish and chips in them. But using newspaper to make AND fire pottery kilns? The man who founded this unique pottery practice has been on a Chinese adventure to challenge 1,000 years of ceramic tradition.
The University of Derby’s contemporary ceramics expert Professor Sebastian Blackie has been invited to the Far East to demonstrate the value and excitement of kilns made and fired with newspaper. A global authority in this field, Professor Blackie has flown to China to meet Professor Takashi Yasuda, Director of the Experimental Sculpture Factory, based in Jingdezhen, south-west of Shanghai. He returns this week.
Jingdezhen is a major centre for ceramic production where porcelain has been made for the last 1,000 years. Professor Blackie has demonstrated his newspaper-based process, invented after being inspired by Nigerian bush kilns. By using paper, material is readily available in an urban environment and his creations can survive temperatures in excess of 1100°C when firing pottery.
There is fun in the creating and weaving process for paper kilns – and Professor Blackie freely admits the process is not always successful.
Professor Blackie, programme leader for the MA ADAPT (Art and Design, Advanced Practice and Theories) and Professor of Ceramics at Derby, said: "The invention and development of newspaper kilns was my practical response to the growing number of schools that discarded equipment, enabling students to experience the elemental delights of ceramics.
"The idea has fired many people’s imaginations and has brought me invitations from around the UK as well as overseas including Japan, New Zealand and the USA. The kilns raise many issues including recycling and self-sufficiency so an invitation to discuss the thinking behind the technique in a communist country with such an expanding industrial demand for energy is an exciting challenge. It also gives me a chance to promote my course and build exciting new international contacts."
His demonstration is part of the Jingdezhen Ceramic Fair, to be attended by delegates from all over China. He has also been invited to show his work in an exhibition with artists from the universities of Jingdezhen, Hong Kong and Shanghai as part of the week-long Jingdezhen celebrations.
Professor Takeshi Yasuda Director of the Experimental Sculpture Factory in Jingdezhen, was delighted with the visit of the Derby professor.
He said: "This has caught our imagination and there has been much media interest in China. While we don’t think it could be used for large-scale industrial processes, Sebastian’s work has great practical benefits for education and artistic purposes.
"His demonstration was fascinating and we look forward to welcoming him back to China again next year as he will be touring other areas of the country."
ENDS