| ARTIST | Markus Karstiess |
| ORIGIN | Germany |
| AGE |
contemporary art |
| MATERIAL |
unprocessed mine-clay, Ash glazed (fired in Anagama Kiln at the IKKG) |
|
FACTS |
approx. 5-7cm h x 5-7cm w Edition: 10 + 4 A.P. unique objects, bottom stamped: „Karstieß 2020“, „ANMO“ and numbered: #1-10 und No.1/4-4/4 for theA.P. Packaging: antique Kimono fabrique pouches, black cardboard box |
Traditionally small tea sculptures have been used to check on the correlation of temperature of the tea and the clays properties. These modest sculptures are build on this tradition, connecting the elements: earth, water, air and fire.
For the “Tea Mountain” ferrous clay was taken by hand from a mine in Westerwald / Germany. The clays from the Westerwald region / Germany date back to 65 Million years and rank among the best in Europe. This material, still humid after millions of years was formed into sculptures, without any further processing, slowly dried and eventually fired at 1300 degree Celsius in an anagama-kiln from the IKKG in Höhrgrenzhausen, using wood from the surroundings forests. The ashes cause the glaze on the side of the sculpture facing the fire directly. Depending on the position of each piece in the kiln the glaze changes, which makes each of them unique.