#lesgrandsfeux

Visiting La Borne ended being quite the journey. I’m just starting to process what it might mean for me but also what this place has been for years and meant to many ceramists, as the village and surroundings are home today to around a hundred potters and ceramists. La Borne has been a pottery village for several centuries (since the 15th or 16th century according to what I read online) due to the abundance of clay and wood. After a decline due to other industries in the 20th century, the village underwent a rebirth and has attracted ceramists from many countries, and in the the second half of the 20th century oriental style kilns like anagamas or noborigamas appeared- now many potters have a kiln in their backyard. For those who don’t however there are many options to fire with fellow potters, or for example the anagama kiln of the Association which can be rented and shared. I find the concept of the “four de l’asso” beautiful because it’s a collective ressource that can bring potters together without having their personal kiln. One thing that strikes me about the La Borne region, and it seems France in general is that I find a particular warmth and solidarity among potters. I’m leaving this place feeling a profound inspiration for what I could do with my life, with clay, and what it might mean to live as a potter or artist in France one day, just maybe. Feeling blessed to have discovered this place and for the connections with beautiful people there. Surely I will be called to come back as it seems many others are. Can’t wait to see my buddies at the @pottersguild in January! #laborne #lesgrandsfeux #noborigama #anagama #kiln #pottersunite #poterie #pottery #ceramics #keramika #woodfiring #gres #clay #sculpture #path @annemariekelecom @renaud_regnier @bethbolglastudio @petit.lucien @davidwhiteheadvanikaap @herverousseau.boisbelle (at La Borne, Centre, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqBJI0hAO8e/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=daxfg6ejzx9a

My last day in La Borne was a nice way to finalize the week, with the Grand Feux being over I had the chance to visit a few ceramists in their studios, as well as simply enjoy the charm of the village and the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Apparently the La Borne region is right in the middle of a crane migration route, so I was able to capture this stunning formation on my bike ride between @davidwhiteheadvanikaap ‘s and @petit.lucien ‘s studios. Please check them out as it was an inspiration to discover their work and a pleasure to meet them. Huge thanks to @annemariekelecom for welcoming me this week and for all the moments together. Looking forward to seeing all the work she makes in the coming year! Check her out, a lot of her work is raku but she also wood fires. 🔥 Hoping to come back in the future and connect more with this community. #laborne #lesgrandsfeux #pottersunite #pottery #poterie #ceramics #fire #keramika #woodfiring #raku #grues #crane #sculpture #gres #migration (at La Borne, Centre, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp71bZJg8l-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1woa9sv2j2lmf

Friday part one: I spent most of my day in Boisbelle at Hervé Rousseau’s and Isabelle Pammachius’ firing for probably my most exciting day in La Borne so far! Arrived there with @annemariekelecom to find the team doing a “palier”, meaning the first chamber had reached temperature and was sealed up, and the second chamber reached temperature fairly quickly so they were stocking it lightly at longer intervals just to maintain temperature. Pictured is Ania Miadzvedzeva feeding the second chamber, and hervé looking for the cones. Later they started adding charcoal which can help attain certain effects by building a deeper coal bed onto the pieces without needing to burn tons more wood. After this some wood was added which created an impressive amount of smoke and fire. Very impressed by this stellar team of experienced woodfire potters! I was invited for lunch by fellow Americans I met earlier in the week and made friends with @bethbolglastudio and her husband Jack. It’s not a coincidence we met here! #lesgrandsfeux #laborne #noborigama #cestchaud #anagama #ceramics #kiln #teamwork #pottery #poterie #woodfired #stoked #wow @herverousseau.boisbelle (at Henrichemont) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpzFkGtA3XN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14e79ukzmrm3w

Thursday was another day full with beautiful discoveries and encounters in La Borne. After a full night’s rest (finally) at @annemariekelecom ‘s house where I am now staying I started my day by strolling over to the CCCB (the La Borne Ceramic Center) to check out the unloading of the Gallo-Roman kiln, but it was too hot to unload at the time. Emmanuel who oversaw the firing was taking off the tiles at the top to let some of the heat escape, and said come back at 4PM. You could see though that the firing looked successful and that the pieces acquired that reddish glow. I hitchhiked easily to Claire Linard’s studio In Neuvy-Deux-Clochers where I had been invited for lunch... I brought fresh bread and wine and there was a wonderful array of food, including crottin de chavignol (to my American friends: try this cheese and gain some serious experience points), all in joviality. Outside Claire’s husband Paulo was firing the Feller Kiln which is fired with wood by also aided by a fan which helps the flame move through the kiln. Before each stoke the fan is turned off to avoid the flame coming out onto the person stoking, and then immediately turned back on. Back inside Claire’s wheel throwing demonstration showed great skill and understanding of the craft, it was a joy to see her throw and explain things in French. At 4PM or so the unloading of the Gallo-Roman kiln was underway and was a real treat to behold. This type of repliqua is an anthropological experiment that you don’t see every day! There was an adorable girl who was very intent on helping to wipe the ash and dust off every pot. After watching a documentary screening in the Center, the never-ending dérive took me back again to Hervé Rousseau’s and Isabelle Pammachius’ kiln where they were about to start side stoking of the anagama portion of the noborigama kiln. In the second to last video is Bernard David putting a hefty “charge” in the frontal firebox so the firing crew could take a break for dinner. Last is Isabelle side stoking the first chamber with charbonette. #laborne #lesgrandsfeux #noborigama #fellerkiln #kiln #pottersunite #cestchaud #woodfired @herverousseau.boisbelle #ceramics #pottery #poterie (at La Borne, Centre, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bps8rGxAiPR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1opu89enf7qkm

Made it to France and already enjoying some discoveries, first passing through the Baie de la Somme for my great uncle Paul’s 80th birthday, and am now in La Borne where there are quite a few potters firing this week for the “Grands Feux”. In this post is Hervé Rousseau’s kiln and work, leaving me inspired and welcomed after drinking and talking with him and his friends in a jovial and friendly atmosphere. The kiln seems somewhat of a hybrid, as it looks and is fired like an anagama but there are permanent walls on the inside and two back chambers that look very noborigama, and it also features two chimneys. Love the work which has a free expression to it while still revealing years of experience and a deep understanding of the materials and the test of the firing process. This is early in the firing which take around 5 days. #laborne #lesgrandsfeux #potiersdefrance #anagama #noborigama #kiln #four #cestchaud #ceramics #pottery #keramika #hervérousseau #woodfire https://www.instagram.com/p/BpiQkowAIHv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6soejxqs81pu

#ontheroad to #laborne 🔥 #lesgrandsfeux #ceramique #cuisson #four #feudebois #ontheroadagain 🍁🍂 (à La Borne, Centre, France)