From March 15 to 18, Ceramics students from North Island College’s Fine Arts program had the unique opportunity to fire a Tozan Anagama Kiln. As one of only four that exist in the world, the ancient-style kiln is housed on the Denman Island property of NIC instructor and internationally acclaimed potter Gordon Hutchens.
Dating back as far as 200 BC, the Tozan Anagama is a wood-fired kiln designed to produce large pots and statues. The massive, single-chamber kiln, which had virtually faded out of existence, was resurrected by Dr. Yukio Yamamoto in 1954. After 16 years of research, Yamamoto became the world’s only living Tozan Master Potter, building the first Tozan Anagama kiln in Japan, followed by three others including the Denman Island kiln.
Unlike modern commercial kilns, the Tozan Anagama is known for producing one-of-a-kind creations. Under the kiln’s intense fire-driven heat, mineral content from the wood ash produces blushes and flashes of colour – giving each pot, vase, and sculpture its own unique and unpredictable fingerprint.
According to Hutchens, student participation in ceramic firing is uncommon. “Kiln firing is something that a studio technician usually takes care of,” explains Hutchens. “The wood-firing of the Tozan Anagama, however, is an intensive process and requires the help of many people over several days. So it not only gives students the opportunity to get involved, but it also gives them a complete, hands-on understanding of ceramic firing, from concept to creation.”
The opportunity also attracted students and alumni from Vancouver’s Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design (ECI), which enjoys close ties with NIC. Thanks to a partnership agreement signed between the institutions in 2005, students can complete their Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from ECI at NIC’s Comox Valley campus.
After a full day loading the kiln, students, instructors Gordon Hutchens and Alan Burgess, technician Jeff Brett, and a handful of local potters worked together around the clock - stoking the kiln every 15 minutes for three days without intermission. After several days of cooling, the kiln was finally opened to reveal a vast assortment of colourful and exciting work.
“Nowadays it seems like everything is made so fast. It was really amazing to take part in such an old tradition and work together as a community. I’ve never done anything like that before,” said one student, who also explained it’s because of these opportunities and the Emily Carr BFA degree option that she chose NIC.
Ceramic works from the Tozan Anagama firing will be on display for public viewing in Discovery Hall at NIC’s Comox Valley campus until April 19, 2007. For more information about the Ceramics class and Fine Arts program at North Island College, please visit NIC online: www.nic.bc.ca or call 334-5000.
Image 1: The Tozan Anagama Kiln on Denman Island
Image 2: After several days of cooling, the kiln reveals hundreds of ceramic works
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For further information contact:
Susan Toresdahl
Director College Relations
(250) 334-5271
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