Workshop Log: Initial Recipe Tests
We have started testing recipes to produce a blue color from clay. The work is taking place in a rented potter’s studio in Fustat, equipped with a kiln and located near a shop where we can source various ingredients.
With our collaborator John O’Carroll, we prepared a series of test recipes on Days 1 (Sunday april 6 2025) and 2 (Monday April 7 2025). These are now drying and awaiting firing.
On day 1 and 2, we have prepared one long recipe and one short recipe, provided by John O'Carroll.
Hanaa Shawky, a restorer, is helping us annotate the chemical compounds produced in each recipe with precision.
On Day 3 (Tuesday April 8, 2025), we had several unplanned visitors and welcomed another collaborator, Joseph Bull, who will be supporting John with technical aspects of the recipes. We started with our third recipe, based on a recipe from potter Francis Osborne from Cornwall. This one has less ball clay and seems to be most promising. Francis had helped John with his 2015 solo exhibition in Amsterdam called Blue.
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| John O'Carroll's Egyptian Blue Frits, 2015 |
Today Wednesday April 9, 2025, we are now on our way to Fustat. Together with John and Joseph, we will be making a precise plan for the full week. We will focus on recreating existing recipes, as well as experimenting with new ones.
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| entrance to the workshop in Fustat |
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| Dina Danish and John O'Carroll are preparing the tests |
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| on the left Hanaa Shawky is registering the chemical ingredients we are using |
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| our fits batch of test drying and ready soon to be fired |
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| Dina Danish and Hanaa Shawky discuss the process |
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| using tagen recipient as the recipes feel like cooking |
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| Dina Danish annotating the bags of ingredients |
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| some possible ingredients |
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| Dina Danish and John O'Carroll setting up the ingredients |
