Pres Posted December 6, 2020 Report Share Posted December 6, 2020 Hi folks, @Min mentioned a topic in the QotW pool about 1.5 weeks ago, about technology. Last week we came to some sort of consensus as to what technology as pertained to ceramics was, and this week we will ask Min's question. The definition is as last edited by @LeeU: Technology, as applied to the art and craft of ceramics, may be defined as any practical evolutionary, or revolutionary, advancement of knowledge that contributes to a ceramic process, and which utilizes a more efficient method for enhancing traditional practices, with the aid of science, a system, technique, tool, or piece of equipment. Min's question being: QoTW: following last weeks question of the week; would you give up any of the technology you use in ceramics now and go back to a simpler not as technology advanced method? I would have a hard time imagining anything I would give up at this point. The only thing I have given up in the past was a kiln sitter, even though I did so logically as stated in previous posts. However, kiln sitters for teachers are really important, and today's programmable kilns. . . . Wow. If I were 15 years younger, I would probably have one, but for now I can muddle through without. So what tech could you give up? best, Pres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted December 6, 2020 Report Share Posted December 6, 2020 If I had good knees I would go back to a kick wheel, I love the smoothness of them and the ability to kick them backwards when trimming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted December 6, 2020 Report Share Posted December 6, 2020 I'd go back to primitive everything if it meant I could still be a potter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2020 @liambesaw, I am really not ready to go back to digging my own clay, mixing the clay bodies, or so much of that stuff. .. . isn't healthy either. As to my knees, @Denice, they are good, but I have found for my throwing I need the power of the CXC. Still have an Amaco kick in the basement, but never use it, and it takes up too much room in the shop. best, Pres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted December 6, 2020 Report Share Posted December 6, 2020 @Presunderstandable. There's no doubt I'd slow down if I had to dig clay, and I'd respect it and cherish it a whole hell of a lot more. Might not be a bad thing. Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2020 @liambesawIt would cut my current production down so far it would not be nearly as enjoyable. However, the time on the wheel would become extremely precious! best, Pres liambesaw 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazenerd Posted December 7, 2020 Report Share Posted December 7, 2020 Harvesting and processing wild clay is an emerging trend; more popular than most realize. Many are processing their own silica, fluxes, etc from wild sources. Natural basalt is gaining popularity for some amazing reds. The best looking celadon I have seen is processed from natural materials. Certainly not profitable or suitable for production: although some are heading that direction. Hunting wild clay is somewhere in the panning for gold category: hoping to find the perfect pit. Firing crystalline; absolute No for me- cannot give up modern kiln controllers. Tom Catatonic, LeeU and Pres 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted December 7, 2020 Report Share Posted December 7, 2020 Can't really get a hook into anything in my clay-world to serve as a response, other than "no" . Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted December 7, 2020 Report Share Posted December 7, 2020 NO! Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted December 7, 2020 Report Share Posted December 7, 2020 No. What tech do I actually have? Kiln controller, slab roller, stick blender, lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted December 7, 2020 Report Share Posted December 7, 2020 don't forget running hot water, heating and cooling in the studio, windows for natural light and all the basics we usually overlook because most of us have always had them. no, i like my advantages and would not give them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted December 7, 2020 Report Share Posted December 7, 2020 Ah went there in my response to the drawing line against technology QOW - lots of tech in my studio already that I don't want to work without; of the items listed there, media (radio, streaming audio, archived sound files) would be first tech to axe, however, I'd miss it. ...headin' out there now, for it's Morning Cup time (local public radio)! I'm sidin' with the no. P.S. technology advanced -> technologically advanced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted December 7, 2020 Report Share Posted December 7, 2020 I'm in the "no" camp as well, except to give up an electric kiln for a woodfired one, if it came with people to help chop wood and fire it. Chilly, Callie Beller Diesel, Pres and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted December 7, 2020 Report Share Posted December 7, 2020 So much technology by this definition is stuff that saves on labor and time. I’m with Min. I’d go back to a fuel burning kiln, but keep the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted December 7, 2020 Report Share Posted December 7, 2020 54 minutes ago, Callie Beller Diesel said: So much technology by this definition is stuff that saves on labor and time. I’m with Min. I’d go back to a fuel burning kiln, but keep the rest. Do you and Min live near forests? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted December 7, 2020 Report Share Posted December 7, 2020 55 minutes ago, JohnnyK said: Do you and Min live near forests? I’m on the prairie side of the Rockies, just on the edge of the foothills. A lot of movies set in Montana or Colorado are actually filmed near my city because it looks right, but the exchange rate stretches budgets further. I live in the city, but wood isn’t hard to come by. Various softwoods are plentiful just outside city limits. By fuel burning, I meant I’d be happy with a gas kiln too. Interestingly enough, because of the gas code here, it would be easier to build a Fast Freddie wood kiln in my yard than it would be to buy or build a gas kiln. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted December 7, 2020 Report Share Posted December 7, 2020 5 hours ago, JohnnyK said: Do you and Min live near forests? I live in a rainforest. I would take a picture of the coniferous tree covered mountain outside our living room window but it's raining today and not visible. From the snow-line down to the ocean there are forests. Callie Beller Diesel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackthorn Posted December 8, 2020 Report Share Posted December 8, 2020 (edited) I'm unwilling to give up my cameras, printers, silkscreen materials, and nicely fritted mason stains just to be what some might consider a purist. Neither am I ever likely to pursue having a 3d printer for clay, so, I'll stay right here in the middle. Edited December 8, 2020 by blackthorn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 8, 2020 Report Share Posted December 8, 2020 I will condider shorting the 1000 foot pier I was dreaming of to say 500 feet As to the ceramic tec i'll give up the kiln controlers on an electric (I do not have one) But am willing to finish without one Callie Beller Diesel and Pres 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey2 Posted December 8, 2020 Report Share Posted December 8, 2020 I'm not adverse to old tech, current tech or future tech 19 hours ago, Min said: I live in a rainforest. I would take a picture of the coniferous tree covered mountain outside our living room window but it's raining today and not visible. From the snow-line down to the ocean there are forests. Nice On 12/6/2020 at 1:21 PM, liambesaw said: I'd go back to primitive everything if it meant I could still be a potter. Including this forum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted December 8, 2020 Report Share Posted December 8, 2020 2 hours ago, Smokey2 said: Including this forum? Maybe!! Its fun to watch old videos of japanese pottery villages, harvesting clay, milling it, burning rice husks, etc etc. It's hard not to romanticize the entire process. Would definitely do it in an instant if I was confident I could make a living doing it. But I can't even manage a living doing it with current technology and as a side gig so I have a ways to go. Maybe in the next life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcery Posted December 8, 2020 Report Share Posted December 8, 2020 You could send me down to the river and I wouldn't even need the van! Find a spot where the erosion already carved out most of a kiln in the bank, supreme to find an old dead hollow tree in the back to dig through as a chimney. Light a fire, dig the clay right there, paddle em up, and toss em in! Sorce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted December 8, 2020 Report Share Posted December 8, 2020 The tech I have: electric wheel, giffin grip, pugmill, clay mixer. No no no no. I mix my own clay and glazes and i fire in a large wood fired kiln. That offsets the tech I have. Pres and Min 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akilspots Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 On 12/7/2020 at 8:21 AM, oldlady said: don't forget running hot water, heating and cooling in the studio, windows for natural light and all the basics we usually overlook because most of us have always had them. no, i like my advantages and would not give them up. plastics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 On 12/7/2020 at 5:19 PM, Min said: woodfired one, if it came with people to help chop wood me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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