2008 Woodie Awards
Rare art exihibit on display in Haas Gallery
Tim Rosini
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Front Page
- Page 1 of 1
Those who attended the showing at the Haas Gallery of Art Friday Nov. 9 we're lucky to experience a rare treat in art viewing.
This kind of rare work extends over centuries and countries, generations and cultures. Those who saw the art by Bloomsburg professor Karl Beamer walked away knowing what rare and beautiful art work really is.
Beamer, a sculpture and ceramics professor here at Bloomsburg has undertaken a different approach to his ceramics creations.
Almost all of the contemporary ceramicists use a gas kiln to fire their pottery, but thanks to a visit to Japan and a formed friendship with internationally known ceramic artist and Buddhist priest Shilo Kanazaki, Professor Beamer had reshaped the philosophy of his approach, like so many of the breath-taking works he has produced.
The Anagama Kiln method, which was popularized and brought from Korea, to China and finally to Japan around 5th century, is a type of firing process which consists of a single chamber kiln, along the stoking and continuous burning of wood to produce the right amount of heat needed for the firing of the clay.
This process was lost for many generations when artists switched to bigger kilns and different types of methods such as gas and eventually electric. If not for Shilo Kanazaki, this process would most likely be lost to the modern world and forgotten.
Once the necessary amount of wood is stoked and the heat of the fire reaches a satisfactory temperature, the clay is placed in the fire kiln.
Beamer notes that "If you are a control nut, this process may be tough for you", and it is easy to see why. Once the clay is placed within the kiln the heat and the burning of wood creates surface effects on the pottery.
Natural ash deposits produce various earth based color effects and a distinct glaze is evident on all the pieces rather then the artist applying the glaze later.
Beamer developed a friendship with Kanzaki, while learning the process, resulting in the building of an Anagama kiln across from his house, right here in Bloomsburg.
The 93 pieces on display in the Haas Gallery of Art are all unique and distinct as the process itself. If one did not know they might think they are looking at ancient pottery from long ago.
Needless to say the display was a success and all those who got to experience Professor Beamer's excellent work and evident passion about explaining the process walked away with new knowledge and greater appreciation of what it takes to produce such naturally beautiful artwork.
For those who have not seen had chance to experience this one-of-a-kind process and product, Professor Beamer's pieces will be on display until Friday, Nov. 30.
Art and creative genius is a rare and wonderful thing that has shaped our societies throughout human history, and a rare artistic process like this is something to definitely be treasured.
This kind of rare work extends over centuries and countries, generations and cultures. Those who saw the art by Bloomsburg professor Karl Beamer walked away knowing what rare and beautiful art work really is.
Beamer, a sculpture and ceramics professor here at Bloomsburg has undertaken a different approach to his ceramics creations.
Almost all of the contemporary ceramicists use a gas kiln to fire their pottery, but thanks to a visit to Japan and a formed friendship with internationally known ceramic artist and Buddhist priest Shilo Kanazaki, Professor Beamer had reshaped the philosophy of his approach, like so many of the breath-taking works he has produced.
The Anagama Kiln method, which was popularized and brought from Korea, to China and finally to Japan around 5th century, is a type of firing process which consists of a single chamber kiln, along the stoking and continuous burning of wood to produce the right amount of heat needed for the firing of the clay.
This process was lost for many generations when artists switched to bigger kilns and different types of methods such as gas and eventually electric. If not for Shilo Kanazaki, this process would most likely be lost to the modern world and forgotten.
Once the necessary amount of wood is stoked and the heat of the fire reaches a satisfactory temperature, the clay is placed in the fire kiln.
Beamer notes that "If you are a control nut, this process may be tough for you", and it is easy to see why. Once the clay is placed within the kiln the heat and the burning of wood creates surface effects on the pottery.
Natural ash deposits produce various earth based color effects and a distinct glaze is evident on all the pieces rather then the artist applying the glaze later.
Beamer developed a friendship with Kanzaki, while learning the process, resulting in the building of an Anagama kiln across from his house, right here in Bloomsburg.
The 93 pieces on display in the Haas Gallery of Art are all unique and distinct as the process itself. If one did not know they might think they are looking at ancient pottery from long ago.
Needless to say the display was a success and all those who got to experience Professor Beamer's excellent work and evident passion about explaining the process walked away with new knowledge and greater appreciation of what it takes to produce such naturally beautiful artwork.
For those who have not seen had chance to experience this one-of-a-kind process and product, Professor Beamer's pieces will be on display until Friday, Nov. 30.
Art and creative genius is a rare and wonderful thing that has shaped our societies throughout human history, and a rare artistic process like this is something to definitely be treasured.