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Milan Pekar a ceramicist and professor at UMPRUM in Prague, Czech Republic is my guest today. In the Ceramics studio at UMPRUM we discussed; Passion, Grants, Studio production, Ceramics, Competitions, Equipment fetishising, Finding your market, and Art criticism and critics.
About
Milan Pekař is undoubtedly one of the top Czech contemporary artists. Today’s studio of the same name is one of the most renowned creators of Czech ceramics and china.
After many months of testing, when the author examined various types of glazes, Milan developed his own crystal glazes. It took many hours of disaster, testing, remixing, experimenting to activate the crystal formation with the results he wanted. The unique process of glaze formation begins with mixing glaze mixtures, oxides and secret ingredients that offer countless possibilities for final designs. The process of alchemy of creation requires constant monitoring of the firing temperature,
as long as there is no precise recipe and each piece is unique so that the vase “survives” the production process itself.
“The unique porcelain vases of Milan Pekař, which at first glance attract with their glazes, are the result of a long-term study of specialized literature, interest in chemistry and, above all, time-consuming testing. The author uses the properties of silver and other precious metals, as well as the components helping to crystallize and achieves different results with a very small modification of their composition. During controlled cooling in the furnace, crystals of zinc and other compounds will grow under certain conditions, ”describes the exhibition’s curator Andrea Březinová.
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For more information about the host, Matthew Dols
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Transcript available: https://wisefoolpod.com/transcript-for-episode-005-ceramicist-professor-milan-pekar-prague-cz/