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**Note as of July 2009 this website is not being updated. Go to www.purplecatvideo.com**
2.28.04
Letter of introduction for a film by Patty Eacobacci. " The Climbing Kiln of Woolman Lane"
In 1971, my friend and studio partner, Rimas VisGirda, and I designed a six chamber, wood fired, climbing kiln that was subsequently built by the students and instructional staff of the workshop known as "Earth Air Fire Water". That workshop ( 1971-1978) and the kiln that was constructed, is still a pioneer in the world wide ceramic community. The kiln, sixty feet long and over a thousand cubic feet is not a replica of a Japanese folk kiln, it is truly a product of Yankee ingenuity. An introduction of woodfire techniques from the Earth Air Fire Water experience were featured in slide shows and film presentations at the NCECA conferences in Flagstaff Arizona, Madison Wisconsin, and College Pennsylvania. This exposure sparked the woodfire explosion that has spread to ceramists everywhere. The notoriety for the kiln that caused the stir faded with time but the kiln and it's use did not. For over thirty years this unique facility has continued to be a learning tool to the thousands of minds that have known it's flames. The kiln, still working and producing thousands of objects in a twice a year firing schedule, attracted the attention of Patty Eacobacci, a filmmaker who resides in Nevada County in Northern California. Patty was introduced to the magic of the climbing kiln quite by accident. A friend who knew of her talent as a filmmaker asked her to visit during a firing. Art happens. The vision that was to take Patty on a new journey was that of a person being introduced to a subject that put her in touch with her artistic senses. She began in earnest, first asking permission then moving, shooting, talking, and working around the clock to capture the feeling of an almost "lost art". Her film, "The Climbing Kiln of Woolman Lane" is an artistic vision of the beauty of the process, the people, the intensity, and the products. Patty saw and captured the magic and the innocence of the place, and the dedication of those who have been mystified by this unique experience. I thank her.
Richard Hotchkiss
H and V pottery
Planet Earth
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