Ang Van Den Eeden, “Foam and Flow: The Aesthetic Potential of Low-Fire Glazes”
Mentor: Geryn Roche, Art & Design, Arts (Peck School of the)
Poster #164
Low-fire glaze chemistry creates a unique environment for ceramic surface development that offers a broad range of aesthetic opportunities. This study is an investigation of the interplay between fluxes and glaze additives and their effects on visual depth (transparency and color), and textural movement (foaming and puffing). A series of glaze tests using line blends and triaxial blends were made to evaluate these effects. Applied to ceramic test tiles, and later on, sculptures, the glazes were then fired in an electric barrel kiln at cone 04 (approximately 1922 – 1945°F). The finished surfaces were evaluated for transparency, color, and texture through visual and physical inspection. By experimenting with different additions of Boron, Lithium and alkaline earth fluxes, it was apparent that Boron-based glazes created transparent glossy finishes that showed excellent color retention while glazes with Calcium or Magnesium fluxes created semi-matte surfaces and diffused color. To achieve a foaming glaze, a line blend was made with the introduction of a burnout material, Silicon Carbide, which starts burning out around 1830°F. With each incremental addition of the Silicon Carbide the glaze would become more sculptural, creating a texture that grew unpredictably and produced a range of foaming to cratering textures. By honing in on specific material selections and glaze compositions, the findings from this research further develop the incredible aesthetic potential of low-fire glazes. Ceramic artists can apply this research to help create a versatile low-fire glaze system to develop distinctive color blends and expressive sculptural effects to visually emphasize key themes and components in their art.