You have been living with ceramics for over 30 years - Michael Sälzer

Illustrations -
top to bottom
jug form - 2006
tea bowl - 2007
tea bowl - 2007
a thorough study of historical kilns and their uses. Kilns were always
used to earn a living, and potters were always concerned to save energy
and make work easier during the firing. This is why I didn't simply reconstruct
an ancient kiln type like a "Kasseler" kiln or an anagama, but
I developed a kiln that delivered very good results using modern materials
and technologies, as well as conserving energy and labour. The
kiln has been used in many seminars and workshops. Young ceramists
have been able to learn how to work with a wood-fuelled kiln, and then
often make their dream of owning one come true. In aid projects run
by my friends, Ute and Arno Hastenteufel, in Ruanda, Cambodia and
Sierra Leone for example, efficient potteries have been set up and run
using this kiln type.
Lots of people know you, your name, Sälzer, has made you even better
known at the saltglaze specialist – what do you think as a professional
– what will be important in ceramics over the next few years – how will
things develop?
Learning and passing that knowledge on is an important aspect of
ceramic tradition. I don't see myself as an introverted, egotistical artist.
The image of the chain with many links fits quite well, more of which
have to be forged in the ceramic tradition in future. Helping colleagues
and sharing knowledge are a part of this, being open-minded, taking part
in symposia and using workshops to actively stay in touch with others,
so that we can all go forward. Partnership is important, it has been the
key to my work for thirty years. We used to work almost symbiotically in
our studio, almost hand in hand on the same piece. Now we have developed
our own personal styles, but we are pursuing common goals and we
both profit through the experience of the other.
Monika Gass is ceramist and art historian. She is the director of the
Keramikmuseum Westerwald, Höhr-Grenzhausen, Germany
Michael Sälzer was born in Altenkirchen
in the Westerwald region in
1947. After graduating from school,
he studied law in Kiel and Berlin
until 1975. From 1976, he trained
as a potter in Höhr-Grenzhausen,
qualifying in 1978. He then set up
a pottery together with Beate Thiesmeyer.
1980 relocation to Kaub.
From 1981, traditional slip-glazed
stoneware reconstructed in theory
and practice. 1982 qualification
as a master craftsman in Höhr-
Grenzhausen. Exhibitions with slip
glazed stoneware ("brown ware").
From 1985, worked with porcelain,
further exhibitions with brown ware
and porcelain. From 1986, developed
his own gas kiln, the ZEPHYR
gas-kiln building kit. 1987, the
ZEPHYR®-Brennöfen company set
up. 1996 lectureship at the Institute
of Ceramic and Glass Arts in
Höhr-Grenzhausen. His work is represented
in many public and private
collections.
Michael Sälzer
Blücherstr. 69
D-56349 Kaub-Viktoriastollen
Germany
Tel. 0049 (0) 6774 - 1452
Fax 0049 (0) 6774 - 8111
mail@keramix.de
november / deCember 2007 NEW CERAMICS 33