Crowds, the Hungarian flag at the town cenotaph

Monday March 15^th  is the day that marks the Spring Uprising of 1848 when the youth of Buda, led by the poet Sandor Petofi, rebelled against the Habsburg occupation of Hungary.  This is not a day of mourning (although many wear black and the rebellion was quashed!) but more a day of celebrating the Hungarian Spirit that moved against oppressive rule.

Getting Ready to March

 Children, their parents and grandparents dressed in their finery punctuated with Hungarian flags to place wreaths at the town square. This year saw a beautiful sunny day with brisk chilly winds and an atmosphere was almost festive.  Speeches, puppet shows and of course, lots of food and craft fairs added to the celebratory mix.

The 25^th Annual Spring Festival in Kecskemet also began on the weekend – art exhibits with many openings and speeches, concerts and public theatre are all part of it. Danish artists seem to be a focus in this community fete and ICS is hosting an exhibit and workshops about the Dane’s  approach called “Glassgoldrubberandrecycling”.  Debra and I went out for dinner with them and were impressed with their skill at speaking Engish, and their knowledge/opinions of what is going on in the world . Such a pleasure.

Banner on Front of ICS Gallery

Their work rejects most traditional “art” materials  with some of their restrictions and focus on playing with form and design with  essentially cast-off materials, such as bicycle inner tubes. Since natural resources of the world are limited (especially in western Europe) they ask the viewers to change our attitudes about consumption and recycling to create a more ecological balance for the our. 

Once again, Deb and I became lost in the streets looking for

Deb's Cozy Feet on Return

the ticket kiosk to purchase tickets for the Russian Orthodox Choir performance on Monday evening. The ICS secretary, Ildiko gave us a map and sent us off and we were lost in the walk before we had gone five blocks. We feel like total “dweebs” since we really should be over our jet lag and more with it. Not speaking the language (which is  challenging to learn) makes me appreciate once again the difficulties that new immigrants have when they come to Canada. As we circled the block yet again, saying, “It has got to be here!” feeling frustrated and then so stupid when the building was right where it is supposed to be and we just didn’t push the door in the right direction!!!

Now, a little about the clay which is why I am really here. Did some tests of the clays and engobes – nothing really jumps out and I am reminded about how the bisque stage of the clay is the most lifeless. I finally kept a few thrown porcelain bowls (at Deb’s insistence) for trimming and to observe the drying patterns of them – s curve cracks and the like. I have thrown most of the work out and am feeling a little anxious as Deb and our neighbour Margaret are all in solid keeping work mode. I need to remind myself that I have not been producing for a while and I need the time to produce work that is more confident and quiet those voices questioning what I am doing.

Well, Mary, remember that tomorrow when you are trimming those pieces and going to the workshop at the gallery and the opening in the evening….

No, I’m not speaking of chemistry of clay but of the desire to learn new technology (to me) stuff while working in the era of clay –  dust  gets everywhere… mmm, wonder why there isn’t the same concern with those of us working in the studiios.

In attempting to blog, I am finding my voice stilted in a way  I don’t like – is that really me? Throwing – which actually improved today, and listening to my itouch and tuning into songs,  podcasts etc. when your fingers are gooey with  slip is not wise… clay dust gets everywhere….

Debra and I spent the day working with new clays, slips and colourants.  Even though we have been working for two days, the studios are looking well organized and busy in a productive purposeful way.  Yeah!

Deb and I have been busy – seems like we have been here for a long while even though it has only been four full days. We have been welcomed by the people at the studio, found our way around town speaking no Hungarian but showing lots of good will – the usual hand signals, a smile and willingness to attempt to speak the language seem to go the distance.

We are still finding it cold (even though they say it is 6 degrees outside) – snow remains on the ground and it seems even though it is a holiday weekend, people are scarce in the street. I like to think they might be attending the local baths but think that is optimistic.

We finally made it to our studios today to do some work – so much time has been spent talking with the technicians Klara and Jakob, and getting materials and equipment set up. Both of us did some tests with engobes and colourants – with somewhat different qualities here, and I spent some time using the local porcelain which surely is luscious but also very pernickity. It was good to throw again after such leaving it for such a while – porcelain is probably not the best clay to begin witih again but perhaps the other clays will be easier after this! My red overalls (thank you Nan) were covered in the stuff – I’m certainly messy – that much hasn’t changed.

Deb toiled away making a damp cupboard for us, as well as cutting material for slab slings and doing a multitude of tests for her own work on three of the local clays. I admire the orderly way she has of working with materials and know I will learn lots working in the same studio with her. Good day today.

We arrived after what seemed a long flight feeling tired yet excited about our residency  -looking tired as well! Nothing like travelling for twenty hours in cramped spaces to do that…Steve, one of the managers at ICU, very kindly met us at the airport and drove us through the flat prairie-like landscape to Kecskemet. The studio was more deserted than when we were year almost two years ago but it is part of the pleasure of being in a different country experiencing the rhythm of the area with the change of seasons moving through Winter’s end, Spring and early Summer.

After a quick tour of the place, a meal of spicy Hungarian goulash, sauerkraut salad and beer we walked about the old town…

As it is the beginning of the season for the studio there are few students here – this quietness suits me well – it will become very busy before long. We have an American artist from the University of Wyoming living on the same floor by the name of Margaret Haydon. Her interest is working with sturgeon and she has contacted the Ministry of Fisheries to talk with them – a fusion of science and art. Today, Hungary’s most famous ceramacist is on site – Schrammel Imre. A book on his work called Schrammel, illustrates his largely expressive figurative sculptures. He’ll be working in the studio for about three weeks and welcomes the attendance of students. Reveared as a craftsman and artist in Hungary so there is lots to be learned.

Welcome to my blog where you will find news and updates about my ceramics work. I am currently gathering tools and images to work with when I am in residency at the International Ceramics Studio (ICS) in Hungary next year.  To work in clay in another country is new ground for me and as there are a variety of over 20 kilns, local clays, expert assistants and visiting artists as well as studio space for a number of artists, the possibilities of renewing myself artistically while I explore new venues is to put it mildly, thrilling.  I want to use this blog space to post a visual/verbal record of my work in progress and to stimulate some response from those who are interested in the process.