bowl being fired in pit

firingbowl_inpit, originally uploaded by anongrrl.

have you ever been to a pit fire? every year, Northern Kentucky University's ceramics and sculpture has a pit fire. a large pit has been dug in the ground. after permission is granted by the fire department, students and faculty gather, bring food, friends, and ceramics, and light a big fire over stacked pieces.

various packets are wrapped with pieces having things like dung, horse hair, copper mesh, seaweed and other materials. dozens of pieces are low fired in the pit at once. the fire is burned for a few hours, then left (attended), to cool overnight.