Dive into the ancient craft of oven-making in this handbuilding clay workshop. Participants will create their own small-scale oven models, exploring the fundamental elements (earth, water, air, and fire) and materials (clay) that have inspired traditional oven-making techniques for centuries. Drawing from traditional archives, this workshop will delve into the constraints of oven design, introduce open-source practices, and equip participants with essential and functional knowledge. Through a blend of exchange and experimentation, participants will be inspired by the rich history of ancestral ovens, meticulously designed over centuries. Each participant will design a miniature oven that addresses a specific problem or context relevant to their practice, infusing their creations with unique creativity and innovation. These designs will contribute to Testing Corner’s growing archive, enriching collective knowledge and creativity.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have a detailed sketch and a small clay model of their oven design. They can choose to take their models home or contribute them back to the workshop for reuse, embracing sustainable material practices. Alongside the physical models, documentation of each participant’s creative journey will become part of Testing Corner’s archive, fostering community collaboration.

No previous experience required. Participants are invited to bring along an apron and an object or tool to play and shape the clay.

Testing Corner was created by Gabriela Garcia, Veronica Tran, and Julia Bertolaso to foster community through collaborative, creative processes. This second edition invites the community to engage in pottery, fostering autonomy, sharing knowledge, and sustaining ceramics traditions through small-scale experimentation, making ceramics more accessible for future generations.