Shrinkage - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Shrinkage, in the realm of ceramics, is the dimensional reduction experienced by a ceramic material as it transitions from a plastic or liquid state to a rigid, solid state through drying and firing. It is a phenomenon both predictable and subtly elusive, influencing the final form and function of every ceramic object, challenging artisans to master its nuances. Often perceived as a simple reduction in size, shrinkage encompasses a complex interplay of physical and chemical changes that demand attention and invite deeper understanding.
The earliest recorded observations of shrinkage in ceramics date back to ancient Mesopotamia, circa 6000 BCE, evidenced through cuneiform tablets detailing clay preparation and firing processes. While these early potters may not have possessed the precise terminology we use today, their meticulous records betray an awareness of the transformative effects of firing. Consider the political tumult of that era, the rise and fall of empires, and one can’t help wonder if these early ceramicists were also shrinking from the world's strife turning inward to the medium that bent to their will - a kind of metaphor in clay.
Over the millennia, understanding of shrinkage evolved alongside advancements in chemistry and physics. The publication of Hermann Seger’s "Collected Writings on Ceramic" in the late 19th century marked a pivotal moment, providing a systematic approach to understanding and controlling shrinkage. It remains the basis for contemporary work today. However, shrinkage has frequently been seen as a defect and avoided if possible, even though it is a property of the material, and many artworks, artifacts, even technologies would have been impossible otherwise. Was this a way to avoid the reality of a volatile process, turning a blind eye to the beauty within the imperfect?
Today, shrinkage remains a central consideration in ceramic production, impacting everything from industrial manufacturing to studio pottery. Its principles are applied to construct everything from the tiles on spacecraft to fine art objects. Does our increasing ability to control shrinkage diminish our appreciation for the organic processes at play, or does it merely offer a new canvas for creative possibilities, and in that, new mysteries?