Chris Campbell Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 What do you all think of that amazing installation of ... CERAMIC ... hand made by humans ... Poppies around the Tower of London? http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/4/5966507/800000-ceramic-poppies-turn-the-tower-of-londons-moat-red Isn't it wonderful that potters making them are the center of attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Yes. It is a WWI commemoration. Beautiful installation. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayjay Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 So far, they've only installed about 120,000, the intention is to have all 800,000+ in place in time for Armistice day in November when they will stretch right around the tower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted August 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I watched the video but never saw any pics of them glazing ... just forming and firing. Do you think the clay is red?? They look shiny and glazed close up. I guess only potters want this much more info> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Awesome in regards to concept and purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill T. Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Wife and I were in London on Armistice Day several years ago visiting Westminster Cathedral. All around the grounds were small areas recognizing each unit of their Armed Services that had fought in WWI. Among the decorations were thousands of paper poppies and every one was wearing one. It was quite a moving experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celia UK Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 It looks like standard terracotta to me, but as you say Chris, no pics or mention of glazing. I have a friend who works for the Royal Towers so I'll try to find out and post again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 What an a wonderful installation and celebration! Thanks for posting this moving set of images. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I watched the video but never saw any pics of them glazing ... just forming and firing. Do you think the clay is red?? They look shiny and glazed close up. I guess only potters want this much more info> From looking at the pictures, I would guess the poppies are painted red. The tumble bisque firing is a chore; imagine the work of a second glaze firing where each would have to be on stilts to allow all surfaces to be glazed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 A bit of irony with this posting today; today is the anniversary of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyH Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I will be sure to visit this when I get to London next week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted August 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Ok Becky ... Your assignment is to get up close and see if you can tell if it is painted or glazed. Or maybe just ask a docent if there is such a person giving info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 More details at http://tinyurl.com/orjcwj5 Yes they are glazed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted August 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 That's an amazing feat in itself ... the bottoms look totally glazed with only one glaze firing ... looked like they each had two bar supports on the table while the glaze dried but those would leave marks in the firing. So interesting ... let alone the fact that they have a really great red glaze! My notion is they must bisque fire higher than the glaze fire so they don't have to worry about slumping and the support can be merely to hold it up off the shelf. UGH ... so curious ... I guess I could go volunteer to help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 What do you all think of that amazing installation of ... CERAMIC ... hand made by humans ... Poppies around the Tower of London? http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/4/5966507/800000-ceramic-poppies-turn-the-tower-of-londons-moat-red Isn't it wonderful that potters making them are the center of attention. Thanks Chris for posting this and reminding me to check it out. My friend mentioned it yesterday, it was the first I'd heard of it. (But I have been camping for most of the past month.) I made a poppy shaped holder that contains all the paper poppies I've ever had. Some are faded, mouldy, shrivelled, but every year I donate for a new one, wear it for a few weeks then add it to the collection. I'm very tempted to buy one of these ceramic ones and put it in the collection.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Good thing I looked in here. Off to london today and have a few hours to spare. Have to get myself along for a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta12 Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 High Bridge, please report back!! Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 I'd be interested in buying one, though the cost to ship it to the States is nearly as much as the item itself. Still, the money does towards a good cause. I watched the second video, on the making of the poppies. Allow me to say, "Now that's a kiln!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 This video said they were porcelain http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/08/04/poppies-london-tower-world-war/13567479/ Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 Chris, off you go and teach them how to do this in coloured porcelain, no need to glaze! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 sorry, marcia, she read what was written but the clay is not porcelain. look at the following video and think of what you could do with that marvelous space they are working in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 Thanks, Old Lady. I did see another video a week or so ago. But you're right about it not being porcelain. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Managed to visit before I had to leave London. I wanted to get up close but it was impossible without trespassing. Worth it if you are in London. Clay always makes great multiples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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