Bingding Wood Kiln Art Museum, designed by the renowned contemporary architect Zhang Lei, is currently a production and protection demonstration base for intangible cultural heritage in Jiangxi Province and Jingdezhen City. The term Bingding, which signifies ‘the soul of porcelain lies in the kiln fire,’ is derived from the Five Elements. Bing fire is yang, resembling the radiant energy of the sun, while Ding fire is yin, akin to the gentle glow of the moonlight or candlelight,内敛昭融, embodying balance and harmony. Their union symbolizes the spirit of porcelain, crafted from a balanced fusion of both forces.
The kiln encompasses two parts: the kiln chamber and the kiln house. The construction of the kiln chamber does not rely on architectural drawings or written records; it was personally completed by Mr. Yu Hezhu and his apprentices over two months. It features a double-curved form with a handmade touch, not entirely refined. The egg-shaped kiln chamber, built with handmade bricks, can withstand high temperatures ranging from 1100 to 1300 degrees Celsius. The kiln house hall serves as a space for filling the kiln, stacking firewood, igniting the fire, and opening the kiln during the firing process. At other times, the hall and the second floor of the side corridor function as an exhibition space for the museum’s artworks. As traditional crafts are on the brink of disappearing with the passage of time, this kiln house has been endowed with special cultural and symbolic significance. This space, akin to a sanctuary, endows the act of firing porcelain with a sense of sacred ritual. Bingding Wood Kiln is committed to preserving and developing the culture of wood kilns. It boasts a complete team with rich experience in traditional manual porcelain-making skills, traditional wood kiln construction techniques, and traditional wood kiln firing techniques. Since its establishment, it has been grounded in traditional wood firing techniques, while also innovating and attracting numerous sculptors, modern potters, and artists from home and abroad to create on-site. This has led to the construction of an international wood firing base and has drawn many tourists to visit and experience the creation of wood-fired pottery, adding new characteristics and artistic atmosphere to the development of wood kilns. Open all year round from 08:00 to 18:00.
