Raku Today

• Raku has been westernized.

• The process is not the same process that was used in Japan

• The process used today involves a kiln that is fired until it reaches a certain temperature then the pieces are pulled out and put in reduction mode.

Western Raku

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmyXJQfdSgI&feature=related

Paul Soldner

• Developed what is known today as “American Raku”

• Started out as a pre-med student but after serving as a medic in World War two he came back with an interest in photography

• He then got a bachelors degree from Bluffton College.

Paul Soldner

• Paul then went to Univ. of Colorado in Boulder to get his Art Administration

• There he was introduced to ceramics

• He then taught for eight years before deciding to become a potter.

• He then earned his MFA at Los Angeles County Art Institute and was Peter Voulkos's first student

• After graduating he taught at Scripps College

• He was also known for the “low temperature salt firings”

• His raku technique came about by chance after a demonstration on Japanese raku failed. Soldner realized that he was more interested in the technique of raku then the tradition of it.

• He continued to experiment with this technique which led to what is known as western raku today.