kiln dreams

[Mike Vatalaro]

Its been three weeks of working each day on making pots,sculptures and looking at this new culture and its history. The trip to Taipei museums ,most significantly the ceramics museum at Yingge was one of the best expereiences of the trip. truly a thourough review of international ceramics the Taipei biennial was continually amazing from gallery to gallery. i hope to be able to share it with you all . i think you would find it impressive. The mstreet market culture ( see Sam's blog ) is a large part of the energy of this place. free of any strong sense of laws or codes,people present themselves and their good withenthusisam and patience. looking at all the merchandise i cant help but wonder our influence in consumerism etc. yet the Taiwanese seem to have a sense of simple solutions not multiple products to do each task.
no duct tape , can you beleive it ? they tie things together with a rope they will use till it rots. Some things that will wear out are made cheaply like brooms and such, other items they will make use of for ever and are fairly well made.

amazingly we've gotten used to traffic ways and no longer flinch as drivers including our own decide they want to u turn on a 6 lane road. mopeds abound. gnat like they seem to swarm and hover ,then they cut through traffic with ease. horns are not a big part of communication ,used only if an colission from the side appears inevitable.

we are now finring the second and last kiln, a gas 25 cubic ft downdraft. the temperature outside is at 95 at least and we are simultaneous unloading a 45 ft kiln from monday evenings firing. Hoping for the best,all is new and yet familiar. great way to reconsider ones actions and yunderstandings about pots ,people and place. off to Japan sunday the 28th will have a thursday party here and it will sad to say goodby to thesegood folks,several with whom we've grown quite close.
Thinking of the US and all. Mike

[Marty Epp-Carter]

Mike, we are missing you and sam...I can't wait to hear from both of you re: the experience. I'm sure you'll both have different stories to tell.

[Samuel Davis]

Mike, now you don't post on here all this time and the day after my brilliant blog you come along like a snake in the grass and try to steal my thunder. It's so on like Donkey Kong my friend.

[Susan Young]

I can't wait to see images, hear the stories, and revel in my envy of such an awesome experience!