The Power of Fire

Yesterday I mused about the ephemeral nature of sculpture. Maybe I underestimated the power of clay. Just as geological forces have formed clay deposits, so have they influenced the structure of rocks and minerals. 


Friction, pressure, and heat play such an important part in the formation of our physical world, and not just the terrestrial environment. One truly amazing experience is to see meteors close up. They are the product of extreme heat, which condenses, purifies, and molds the physical world. 

This little sculpture reminded me of meteors. I fired its two parts separately in salt and soda kilns at Medalta last summer. The refreshing, almost charming result belies the intense physical processes at work on this piece.