Anagama: Ancient, natural, beautiful, and healing. Anagama is an ancient method of firing ceramics that made its way to Japan from China in the 5th century. Anagama is a type of kiln that uses the high heat of Douglas Fir and White Oak in this region, burning up to 2,400 degrees. Anagama art has now found its way to Equilibrium via Anneliese Kiefer, a local ceramic artist and sculptor, who uses one of the oldest, traditional Anagama kilns on the West Coast, along with a catenary arch wood kiln and a catenary arch soda kiln. The high heat, a process that takes weeks to complete combined with chemistry creates unpredictable and extraordinary pieces of art. The organic, earthen glaze is not applied, but is created organically from the magical physics and movement of the stoking of the fire, and and the natural dispersement of the ashen embers.

The time-consuming, expensive, and labor-intensive process sometimes uses up to 12 cords of wood for one firing and may take over 100 hours with round-the-clock stoking and attention. The process produces a variety of coppery colors and iridescent tonalities with hues of grays, greens and blues intermingled amongst several different textures. The objects pulled out of the kiln are well worth the wait; the result is hand-made, unique pieces that can serve both functional and artistic purposes, bringing beauty to everyday life.

Appreciating art is known to have many psychological and healing benefits for the mind and the body. Decades of research supports the idea that creating and appreciating art affects the body and mind positively. Observing art has been found to stimulate the creation of neural pathways. When one observes a profound piece of art, they have the potential of firing the same neurons as the artist did when they were creating. The sense of being drawn into another’s artwork is called “embodied cognition.” No doubt those of you who take a moment when you visit Equilibrium will be drawn into the art of Anagama created by Anneliese. Neural pathways will be fired. Embodied cognition may take place. Art in all its forms can be healing, for both the maker and viewer.

As with the printed art on a rotating exhibition at Equilibrium, 3D pieces will now be on exhibition every three months. You can find Anneliese’s Kiefer’s anagama art on display and available for purchase until the end of November. Get up close to view the result of this magical process and creation: earthy pieces with organic materials, crystallized flecks, dynamic ripples, tiny shards of real gold and the alluring colors of nature. Anneliese says she gets her inspiration from the world around us: "the delicate ridges of a mushroom, the tiny crystals in a smooth pebble, or the human body under magnification." Anneliese's keen observation skills are obvious in the intricate details of her work with some pieces carved in clay meticulously with sometimes 40 hours of work, real gold flakes found intermingled, and sculpted details. Pieces are all food safe. Whether for functionality or beauty, you will find calm, pleasure, and maybe even some new neural pathways in the viewing of this fascinating ancient art.

For further reading:

The Appeal of the Anagama: Why the Ancient Method Still Survives by Howard Hanson Gallery

Art Enhances Brain Function and Well-Being by Manhattan Arts International

The Benefits Art Therapy Can Have on Mental and Physical Health by Holly Tiret

How the Brain is Affected by Art by American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine

How Looking At Art Can Help Your Brain by The University of Arizona