Terra Cotta

I was quite surprised while reading this article. The first bit that jumped out to me, was a statement by Tunick, "I find the idea tantalizing that New York is a 'clay jungle' rather than the more familiar image of a 'concrete jungle." This has never occured to me. While viewing the New York City skyline, I have always been enamored by the sheer greatness of the buidlings. I would never have thought they were mostly terra cotta. This just seems amazing; a clay city. I was so interested to read about the construction process of the molded terra cotta pieces. I can't even imagine how much work actually went in to the creation of all the individual castings. I found myself in wonder when thinking about a 48 feet high by 24 ft in diameter. Walking inside these kilns would be incredible, but probably a bit overwhelming. Compared to the kilns we use in class, I cant imagine how much effort and precision it took to fire these kilns perfectly. It seems incredible to me that such a common material can hold up the most amazing structures. When looking at these buidlings, its not terra cotta that jumps right out at you. Its great to know that I material I love to use has helped to change the face of architecture as it was known in the 1920s. It really makes me think that the sky is the limit when it comes to techniques and ideas involving all types of clay.