COMMON GOAL

Though not immediately discernable , what you are looking at is the interior of a Ko-Mino chawan by Ando Hidetake. As I have mentioned previously this is perhaps my favorite style of his work, there is something enigmatic and elemental about this glazing and Ando uses this technique to great effect. This style is further enhanced by the wood firing process and the addition of ash adhering to the surface during the process and making for a wonderland of small and even subtle details. As is easy to see in the picture, the glaze becomes quite liquid at the height of the firing where gravity plays quite the role in the final appearance perhaps only secondary to the potter and the fire. As the kiln begins to cool, the movement becomes locked in its last moment of movement and then the real attributes begin to form as small crystals and a granular texture forms as the overall temperature drops ever so slowly. The exterior where the ash has landed coalesces into a crusty, semi-dry surface that has some of the sought after qualities of aburaage synonymous with Ki-Seto with rich, deep, golden amber glass on the best fired surfaces. As you can see, this is a wonderful and textural experience creating its own unique microcosm when both alchemy, chemistry, fire and experience all join in toward this common goal.