The Ancestry of Fire - Use of Rudimentary Kilns
The construction and use of rudimentary kilns is an ancestral practice where fire and earth come together in a transformative process.
The foundation of rudimentary kilns—such as paper kilns, wood-fired pipes, or small gas kilns—lies in simple and accessible materials, which are meticulously worked to create temporary yet effective and safe structures. Working with primitive kilns invites us to rediscover the essence of ceramics, in a constant dialogue between technique and chance, where the final result reflects the environment and the conditions in which it was created.
Wood is the oldest and most available fuel used by humans to create fire. It has a very complex composition, and as it burns, various components are released, each burning at different temperatures. Wood-fired flames can offer advantages in fast or slow ceramic firing processes, at low or high temperatures. The fire itself is unpredictable, requiring constant adjustments during the firing process, challenging the ceramist to read the environmental conditions and act accordingly. The results of this type of firing, in direct contact with the flame, whether at low or high temperatures, allow for effects that evoke volcanism, fusion, and transformation.
Wood firing provides a unique experience, where temperature control is based on direct observation of the fire and its nuances. This type of firing produces results impossible to achieve with electric or gas kilns, imprinting organic colors and textures onto the ceramics. A variety of marks can be observed, resulting from the deposit of ash, atmospheric variations, and flame exposure—effects that are closely tied to the geological formation of our planet. When used properly, they form a valuable means of expression in ceramics.
In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to explore these traditional techniques and learn how to build different primitive kilns. This knowledge allows for a connection with the elements and the entire ceramic process and will give you options to safely fire your ceramic projects at home.
This text includes excerpts from the manual "Wood Fire: Some Principles of the Ceramic Firing Process," by ceramist Renato Costa e Silva.
Join us for our Kiln Building Course.
An immersive journey guided by Renato Costa e Silva & Kerstin Thomas at Cerdeira - Home for Creativity.