Lars Voltz

My explorations within geologic phenomenon, language, mass and volume sustains connections with base materials and environments. Vessels built upon dynamic forms, diversely bodied clay and turbulent colorful wood-fired surfaces assert a continued geologic impact on our understanding of the conditions of contemporary life. Creating ceramic vessels that share aspects of the geologic world and domestic space fascinates me. Smooth volumes, stressed surfaces, thick slashes, jagged edges and ripped segments of a vessel act as abstracted conduits to potent Earth features and physicality while not obliterating vessel space. Compressing rugged forms with volume in this way evokes reactive spatial relationships. Ranges of color and texture built in the volatile atmosphere of a wood kiln extend connections to material diversity reflected in the world. Dynamic additive and subtractive layers of information, developed through forming and firing, reveals constantly shifting perspectives to massive geologic systems. I make pottery that places massive tectonics within domestic, lived space. By exploring tensions between chaos and calm, I strive to uncover new ideas about uncontrollable dynamic forces and contained expanses.