Some work by Liliana Ovalle

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Open Fires: The Process

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Exercise No. 1 - Vases
The vases are designed with flat extensions that are used to place dung and other combustible materials to create a small contained fire. The imprinted black traces remain as an indication of the intensity and direction of the flames.

Exercise No. 2 - Plates (Comales)
The plates, based on the traditional cooking plate comal, are partially masked with sand. The remaining area is covered with dung and agave leaves that combust into an open fire. The resulting pieces display a contrast between intense black smoked tones and bare red clay.

Exercise No. 3 - Cylinders
In a similar process to the plates, the cylinders are partially dug into a pile of sand in vertical and horizontal position. The final pieces are marked with a defined line along the interior and exterior of the shapes, depending on the position they where set up for the fire.

Foam models were documented and sent to the ceramists in Tlapazola, Oaxaca.

Bi-dimensional drawings were translated with the aid of measured wooden sticks.

Alberta and Dorotea mold the the vessels using the ¨cone" tecnique.

Basic tools, such as leather and corn cobs, are used for shaping and spinning the clay.

The shape of the vessels is refined while the clay is drying.

Once the pieces were dried and fired for a first time, a second "open" fire was made to blacken out the vessels.

The tones and gradients of each vessel were controlled by exposing them directly to the flame

Each wooden frame was custom made to embrace and support each vessel.

Final fitting of the ceramic pieces into the oak frames.