Hi all, I'm reporting LIVE from the Dragon Kiln annual firing 2010. There's at least 50 people around the kiln, enjoying the fire, BBQ and African drummers!
Tom, a master photographer who works at URA, is working to convince folks on whether to save the Dragon Kiln. Arguing the virtue of wood firing vs. gas and electric firing.
Family black dogs roaming amidst crowd
Everyone brought food to share, like a village banquet!
There are plenty of Ang Mohs here also fighting to preserve this place. I guess to them it's like finding a lost treasure and doing what you can to save it.
We're looking at fireflies
We've walked over to the other remaining dragon kiln in Singapore.
This kiln is apparently owned by the National Arts Council
Before firing, kiln owners and artists pray to the kiln gods. They can never predict how ther pottery and sculptures will really turn out
There are plenty of photographers wandering asking questions. It's quite funny, but nice that Singaporeans are curious.
It's a wet and surprising cool night in Singapore. The kiln fire is keeping my skin toasty.
Kenneth, not yet raining here
Wood firing is different because unlike gas or electric, the results are more diverse and unique.
In fact for wood firing, you don't put glaze because the ash will naturally create a glaze on the pottery.
The two kilns seems to have different approaches. One is commercially supported by international trading of pottery but has amazing marketing to attract attention, the other is more artist centric but lesser known.
Walking between the two kilns feels like an RPG game. We meet and talk to different folks, and learn so many stories about Singapore ceramic scene.
Malaysian photography group here to capture event
That's Carolyn Lim. She runs the kiln's blog.