John Baymore on fri 15 jul 05
But then the glazes and what they are made of would be
something to consider but only in a minor way unless
they are putting tons of any of these compounds back
into the system. There's mills producing tons on tons
of these materials that are being wasted into the air,
soil and water. Where are the EPA in comparison?
This bugs me some because this sends an alert to me that the next move
might be to regulate the use of kilns of all types.
They do have to have someone to worry over other than
those very large automobiles that are pushing the
limits of anti-pollution devices.
Edward,
The issues with this stuff with art schools are as much about "political
power base" are they are about pollution issues. I will be addressing
some aspects of exactly this issue (relating to wood kilns) a tad in a
presentation I will be giving at the Portland NCECA conference next March.
Groups like the EPA are under pressure to DO stuff about environmental
issues. BUT... at the same time .......they are also under pressure NOT
TO DO it against the buddies of the political elite. Might affect
campaign contributions and all that stuff. So the big businesses have the
money and connections to avoid really dealing with the large scale
issues... or have the "loopholes" built into legislation that allow them
to buy "pollution credits" .........while the "little guy" makes a very
convenient "target". Lets the governmental agencies tout their
many "successes" and show how active they are.
As a group........ artists... and potters in particular... have very
little "power base". ("OK..... do that and ALL the potters in the USA
will go on strike TODAY!" ...... whoopdedoo....huge impact on society,
huh?) We don't tend to have lots of bucks to contribute to polititians,
and the economy we tend to "drive" isn't even on the GNP radar screen.
The total number of potter's votes certainly wouldn't sway a congressional
election.
Yes... we certainly SHOULD be educated and concerened about the crap we
might put into the waste stream... and we SHOULD be educated and concerned
about the stuff coming off the stacks of our kilns (if you fire with
electric... your stack is located remotely at the electric power plant).
And I think that in general we don't do enough in the education department
with our students in this regard. But on the grand scale of
things......... we are very, very, VERY "small potatoes" in this whole
worldwide pollution generation problem. (I'll have some data on that at
the NCECA presentation.)
This issue is also directly tied into the lack of general appreciation for
the importance of the arts (other than the popular film and music
induistry)in US society. Even the "high society" wealthy arts patron
types can turn against us quickly...when the artist wants to put in the
wood kiln next door to THEIR property . Goes hand-in-hand to help
create the "atmosphere" that will work against us politically when push
comes to shove.
And the possibility of more regulation of potters kilns is definately a
potential issue that we all should be thinking about proactively. There
are many local air quality regs already in place that most potters simply
ignore. Luckily, at this point... no one is actively going after
potters. However, once the "witch hunt" starts... the NIMBY police will
be running rampant . As a pro kiln builder, I have been watching this
issue slowly developing over the past 30 years or so.
Do we create pollution? You betcha'. Just about every human activity
does. BUT.....and it is the "but" that very much matters in this........
as a group ........ as a group, we don't create very much. In my opinion
there are far more significant producers that need to be looked at and
controlled before we get down to dealing with potters and oil painters and
woodworkers and glassblowers and so on.
best,
...............john
JBaymore@compuserve.com
http://www.JohnBaymore.com
John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086 USA
"Please use compuserve address for direct communication."
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