Akira Satake is leading a two-day hands-on workshop that will focus on slab construction techniques and Kohiki slip decorating for creating functional pottery forms. Participants will learn to work with both soft and hard slabs, exploring a variety of processes and techniques to create teapots, tea cups, pitchers, vases, boxes and other functional pottery. Participants will learn techniques to create rich surfaces evoking the signs left by the forces of nature on the world we experience.
About Akira
“For me, the act of creation is a collaboration between myself, the clay and the fire. Collaboration means finding what the clay wants to be and bringing out its beauty in the way that the beauty of our surroundings is created through natural forces. Undulations in sand that has been moved by the wind, rock formations caused by landslides, the crackle and patina in the wall of an old house, all these owe their special beauty to the random hand of Nature. The fire is the ultimate random part of the collaborative equation. I hope the fire will be my ally, but I know it will always transform the clay in ways I cannot anticipate.” Akira Satake
Akira Satake was born in Osaka, Japan and has been living in the U.S. since 1983. In 2003 he relocated from Brooklyn, New York to Swannanoa, North Carolina, where he has a wood-fired kiln and a gas kiln. In 2013 he opened Akira Satake Ceramics/Gallery Mugen as his working studio and exhibition space in the River Arts District in Asheville, NC. Akira is also an internationally acclaimed musician whose CD “Cooler Heads Prevail” was awarded the prestigious German Music Critics Award for Best World Music Recording. He will close the workshop with a brief mini-concert performed on shamisen and banjo.
I'm looking forward to attending this workshop and get my hands back on clay. The brief mini-concert is a bonus to me. Funny how things turn out sometimes. If you know of a bed and breakfast to recommend located within an hour or less drive of Charlotte, NC, please let me know. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
That is an amazing pot. It looks so fluid and gestural. I'm looking forward to your photos and thoughts after the workshop. As you say, the concert is a bonus!
ReplyDeleteClayworks workshops look so interesting. Alas too far for a day trip!
It's cold everywhere; stay warm!
He came to MudFire a few years ago. He gave a great workshop, was lots of fun but also very professional and played some great banjo music. You're gonna love it.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzi, thanks, it'll be about four hours from where I am so I'll take a motel or B&B but looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, I can't wait and the music is a bonus for sure.
Linda, when we did a show in Charlotte last fall we stayed at the Microtel Charlotte/Northlake. Nothing fancy, but it was clean. We booked ahead and only paid about $59. There are a couple of Microtel's you might want to find the closest one to Clayworks. I am sure you are going to enjoy the workshop.
ReplyDeleteIf you like barbecue try Mac's Speed Shop, good food, reasonable prices, fun atmosphere.
What a gorgeous pot. And I love that you are having a break from the tedium and sheer hard work of moving with something which is so integral to who you are.
ReplyDeleteI have so much respect for this man! Akira is a consummate artist! We did a workshop together last year and it was a wonderful experience as co-presenters! The highlight for me was at he end of the workshop Akira played his banjo as I decorated one of my pots! I'll never forget it. I was practically in tears from the excitement. Somewhere out there in the electronic ether there is a video I hope to see.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will be inspired and learn a lot at this workshop!
Hi Michele, thanks, is the Microtel in a safe location? I always worry about big cities when I travel alone.
ReplyDeleteHi Elephant's Child, thanks, oh there is so much to consider when moving but we are slowly getting it all arranged.
Hi Michael, thanks, I saw a couple of youtube videos of Akira, didn't notice any of your workshop together, always good to see these videos later on. I am really looking forward to both the workshop and the mini concert.
It looks like you're going to be a busy gal!
ReplyDeleteI bet that clay is going to feel soooo good to you after all this time. Glad you are able to make time for the class.
ReplyDeleteI bet that clay is going to feel soooo good to you after all this time. Glad you are able to make time for the class.
ReplyDeletethat looks like a great workshop and fun too with the music. Should be inspiring, good luck with the move.
ReplyDeleteWOW! The workshop sounds GREAT!! Love his vases and tea bowls. I think his works look traditional and very modern at the same time to the eye of Japanese people. Enjoy the workshop to the fullest, Linda!! You are so lucky to have such a wonderful opportunity!!
ReplyDeleteLinda, the area we stayed in seemed ok... although I am not really familiar with Charlotte all that well.
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