
A gathering of individuals in a group setting
is governed by a complex system of rules and expectations
that are never formally acknowledged. Specific
rules apply to public spaces vs. private spaces.
When a private space is intruded upon, or when
a private activity intrudes into a public space
there is an upset in the fragile balance of social
order. Humans, like any other creature, have very
specific ways of acting when they are surrounded
by strangers. A bench or a chair is an inanimate
object that forces interaction among strangers.
As one person approaches a park bench that is
occupied by another individual, how does the situation
resolve itself? Facilitating circumstances that
blur the boundaries between public and private,
this body of work is intended to make one aware
of the bizarre factors that determine our behaviors
in a group setting.
The chair, above all other furniture forms, is
a three dimensional object in the purist sense.
Its depth becomes perceptible as you plunge your
body into the seat that embraces the anthropomorphic
shape of the human feature. Like many pieces of
furniture, these steel chairs and benches begin
their lives in a two dimensional realm and evolve
piece by piece into objects with substance, depth,
and volume. Transferring rough sketches to plate
steel using computer design software, I cut, weld,
and grind, the pieces together—transforming
what was once a collection of two dimensional
shapes into an object rich with three dimensions.
For me, calculating, observing and participating
in this metamorphic progression is the most rewarding
aspect of the creative process.
THE
CHAIR:
The
chair, above all other furniture forms, is a three
dimensional object in the purist sense. Its depth
becomes perceptible as you plunge your body into
the seat that embraces the anthropomorphic shape
of the human feature. Like many pieces of furniture,
these steel chairs begin their life in a two dimensional
realm and evolve piece by piece into an object
with substance, depth, and volume. Transferring
cardboard templates to plate steel, I cut, weld,
and grind, the pieces together—transforming
what was once a collection of two dimensional
shapes into an object rich with three dimensions.
For me, calculating, observing and participating
in this metamorphic progression is the most rewarding
aspect of the creative process.
THE CRANK:
Furniture
is an interactive medium. We push, pull, turn,
and in this case crank in order to access interior
spaces. Engaging in these subtle actions is a
meditative process that awakens our senses to
the importance of not only the furniture, but
also the object that is kept securely inside.
Facilitating this meditative ritual through unique
and imaginative interactions is the goal of my
kinetic case pieces. I intend to offer a memorable
experience that engages the senses, the mind and
the element of anticipation.
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