Kiln Opening and Discussion: Japanese Wood Fired Pottery at the Oxford University Anagama Kilns

There is never a more tense or exciting moment than opening a wood-fired kiln. The results are unexpected, and failures and treasures will be mixed together in one kiln. This video was the livestream opening of the Oxford University Anagama Kilns, in which we learnt about the firing process, heard about the project aand saw the finished pots. The livestream featured artists who had fired work to the kiln as well as Dr Robin Wilson, who directs the project at Wytham Woods. We joined them in interview as they shared their experience of firing the Japanese Anagama and their results. 0:00 Intro 1:18 opening the kiln 12:28 overview of the loading and firing of the kiln 40:37 Rafael Borja on his work and experience of the firing 48:24 Charles Austin Gannon and Dr Robin Wilson on flameflow, flame painting and results 53:07 demonstration of removing wadding from a pot 54:18 audience Q&A 1 with Robin, Joseph and Melody 1:08:20 Nessa Grimes on Sundragon pottery, and her results and experience of firing the kiln 1:16:20 Sharon Betram on outreach as part of the project 1:29:23 audience Q&A 2 with Robin and Melody 1:35:09 Graeme Hughes on the Ruskin school and his artistic practice The pots included from this special firing event were exhibited at the Embassy in London between 10 Dec and 17 March 2022. This event is a collaboration between the Embassy of Japan, Oxford University Kilns and TORCH as part of the Humanities Cultural Programme: Japan Season. Based in Oxford’s Wytham Woods, the traditional Anagama Kilns were recreated together with expert potters from Japan, and Dr Robin Wilson. Anagama means ‘cave kiln’ and the kiln was constructed to plans based on archaeological investigations of this ancient type of pottery kiln. The firing will include almost 300 pieces from local and international potters, community groups, and a local school group, in a firing that has fine art, craft and first time ceramic-work all being fired together. A few pieces of the material will then be displayed in the Ashmolean Museum, and then a larger selection in the Japanese Embassy in London from the 10th December 2021- March 2022. For information about the exhibition please visit: https://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_e... #ceramics #woodkiln #anagama