...failure with clay was more complete and more spectacular than with other forms of art. You are subject to the elements... Any one of the old four - earth, air, fire, water - can betray you and melt, or burst, or shatter - months of work into dust and ashes and spitting steam. You need to be a precise scientist, and you need to know how to play with what chance will do to your lovingly constructed surfaces in the heat of the kiln.
A.S. Byatt's "The Children's Book" explores the intricate relationship between artistry and the unpredictable nature of materials, particularly clay. The author highlights that working with clay can be a uniquely challenging experience as its inherent qualities are susceptible to external forces. Unlike other forms of art, the failure in clay can be dramatic and total, leading to the destruction of months of effort due to elements like fire or water. This unpredictability underscores the fragility and complexity of the creative process.
Byatt emphasizes that success in ceramic art requires a blend of scientific precision and an understanding of chance. The artist must navigate the delicate interplay between their meticulous crafting and the inherent caprices of the kiln's heat. This duality captures the essence of artistic creation, where both intention and fate play vital roles in the outcome, making the journey of creation both risky and rewarding.