Porcelain sculpture firing is a delicate dance between control and chaos, where artists intentionally introduce elements of chance to create unique, irreplicable works. One common technique involves manipulating kiln temperatures unpredictably—rapid heating or cooling can cause dramatic cracks, warping, or unexpected glaze reactions that become integral to the final piece. Some ceramists bury their sculptures in combustible materials like sawdust or salt during firing, creating organic patterns as the materials burn away unevenly. Others employ saggar firing, where pieces are placed in sealed containers with organic matter, producing smoky patterns and mineral deposits dictated by random chemical interactions.

Contemporary artists often exploit the natural properties of porcelain itself—its memory of shape and tendency to warp—by designing forms that deliberately surrender to gravity during firing. The Japanese practice of "yohen" celebrates kiln accidents as aesthetic virtues, while Western artists like Peter Voulkos embraced cracks and collapses as expressive elements. Modern creators even use computerized kilns to program "controlled randomness," inputting algorithmic variations in temperature curves. These methods transform the kiln from a tool of precision into a collaborator, where the artist's vision merges with the inherent unpredictability of fired clay to produce sculptures that embody the beautiful tension between human intention and material agency.