Semester:
Offered:
Session: June 1 - July 20 (8 classes)
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:30pm ET
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Instructor: Anne Eder
Course Description: There are many ways to combine images and clay, but if you are curious about the magic and alchemy of using light sensitive emulsions, this may intrigue you. This class, led by instructor Anne Eder, will be a guided exploration into using light sensitive materials to transfer images onto and into clay bodies. Students will begin by making clay tiles for testing, and over the eight-week course will investigate photographic printing processes such as cyanotype, gum bichromate, and liquid emulsions. Whether you are coming from a clay background or a photographic one, or just enjoy combining art and science, this class will dive deep into process and experimentation.
With your registration, you will receive access to a Harvard Google Classroom which will provide a place for sharing of ideas, discussion, hand-outs and will feature recordings of each class. In case you miss a class or would like to review, these recordings will be available for 30 days after the end of the course.
Suggested Materials List: (links to sources listed at bottom):
- Clay for making test objects and tiles (light colored clays will work best, either white stoneware or porcelain) ***Bisque tiles are available for purchase through the Ceramics Program.
- A cyanotype chemistry kit available online from a number of sources.
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Gum Arabic
- Mason Stain
- Ammonium or potassium dichromate (If you have potassium dichromate it will work, but some sellers require a DEA certificate. Ammonium dichromate can be purchased without one).
- Other process may involve different metal salts and the purchase of these is optional.
- Some trays for processing.
- UV box or sunlight for exposures.
- Various brushes for painting on emulsions.
- Glass to weigh down your negatives.
Optional:
- A means of creating a digital photographic negative on a transparency. Typically, the best substrates are Pictorico if you are using an inkjet printer and Ink Press transparencies for laser printers. If you do not have a printer it is possible to make waxed paper negatives, which will be discussed in class.
- Turmeric and Borax for possible anthotype printing on clay.
- Leaves, alum, iron bits for possible eco dye onto clay.
Sources:
BH Photo Video carries almost everything needed including gum arabic, cyanotype chemistry, liquid emulsions, and Pictorico. They have dichromates, but for special order in-store purchasing only. See bottom of list for sources of dichromates.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=gum%20arabic&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=cyanotype%20chemistry&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=liquid%20emulsion&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps
Sheffield Pottery has both clay and mason stains, or you can purchase clay from the studio.
https://www.sheffield-pottery.com/searchresults.asp?Search=mason+stain&Submit=
Ammonium or potassium dichromate can be purchased from these sources. You will not need a lot, and you will likely be purchasing ammonium dichromate. This is something to be careful with---wear gloves and a mask and we will talk in class about responsible disposal.
Photographer’ Formulary carries and ships dichromates (ground shipping only), and they carry cyanotype kits and gum arabic too.
http://stores.photoformulary.com/gum-arabic-liquid-14-baume/
http://stores.photoformulary.com/search.php?search_query=cyanotype+kits&x=0&y=0
Art Craft Chemicals carries ammonium dichromate for ground shipping and liquid light emulsion. Their FA-1 sensitizer may be substituted for Liquid Light. They carry both. They also carry potassium dichromate, ground ship, no certificate needed. In addition, they have powdered gum resin for mixing your own.
https://www.artcraftchemicals.com/product/ammonium-bi-dichromate-part-1022/
https://www.artcraftchemicals.com/product-category/rockland-products/
https://www.artcraftchemicals.com/product/potassium-dichromate-part-1230/
https://www.artcraftchemicals.com/product/gum-arabic-solid-part-1705/
Clay and Material Purchases
This course fee covers instruction only. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own clay and tools. Here is the list of available clays, tools and materials at the Ceramics Program. Once you have purchased your items on-line you will be provided a link to sign-up to pick-up your items. Please make a note that you are picking up supplies when you sign-up for a pick-up slot. Ji Eun Kim will then email the invoice to you. You can also purchase the supplies at your local art supply store or online but when using clay purchased elsewhere, you will need to provide documentation of the clay body and firing range to fire it at the Ceramics Program. If you would have questions, please email Ji-Eun Kim directly at jikim@fas.harvard.edu.
Glazing and Firing Services
Registered students are welcome to drop off, fire and glaze your ceramic work through the Harvard Ceramics program. We charge 3 cents per cubic inch for all firings (bisque and glaze). We offer electric kiln (Cone 06 for bisque, 6 for glaze), high fire reduction and soda vapor firings (Cone 10). Specialty firing temperatures can be arranged. At the end of each session, you will be invoiced for the cost of your firings.
Course Fees: Free for Harvard College Undergraduate Students; $300 for Harvard Graduate Students, Harvard employees and Adult Community.
For questions regarding course content, policies or materials, please contact Director, Kathy King.
For questions regarding registration, please contact Administrative Coordinator, Ji-Eun Kim.
Location: Zoom