2.4.11

After finishing the construction of my new bar/work table, I've caught another spell of the "making things" bug. I've talked a lot over the course of being in school about "wishing" or "thinking about one day" getting involved in industrial design. I enjoy drafting very much, and obviously, working with my hands.
Being a Studio Art major has given me the opportunity (or, moreover, forced me) to study the current history of visual art.
With my seemingly small working knowledge of this history, I can say that my "favorite" (however loaded that term is..) artist is Piet Mondrian, as well as others that worked in the Dutch artistic movement known as De Stijl, or in the Kings English- "The Style". This movement was centered around primary colors, and strong, angular compositions. (This group was also involved in the birth of Bauhaus, and Berlin DaDa as it came to be known.. but thats not important.)
I also much enjoy the work that came out of the Russian Constructivist period, such as Rodchenko and his "Lef Group". A lot of their work was centered around the idea that "art" like all other things, is in fact made, and that the artist should not try to "trick" the viewer into thinking otherwise. They often dealt with the compositions of imagery through photo-montage to create idealized images of the Russia that they wanted to see manifested.  The inclusion of the "artist hand" as Rodchenko would say, was a crucial point in their idea of what art was meant to function as. Now, all things considered, they were trying to find a "roll" in the new Russian era at the turn of the 20th century, when Socialism was taking control post-revolution, creating the title of "working artist".
Regardless- the two create an odd dichotomy of mechanical, yet still human production of art, which I am deeply interested in. In short, I want to use TOOLS! And measure everything, and have angles, and holes, and all of the incredible structure that comes only when things are precise.
We've started to lose the value of handmade objects, and consider the machine (no matter what kind of machine really) to be superior to the craftsmanship of us, human beings. Given, machines and their incredible precision are indeed amazing, and a true testament to the acquired knowledge of the human race, however there is something lost in the rote production of so many of our often used objects.
Now, since I've gotten that out, I can get to the point-
Im making furniture, at least until something better comes along, or until I lose a digit. I am also going to be carving lots of various things.
Let me know if you need anything made, I'd love the practice -not saying I'm a total amateur, but, Giacometti has told us how important it is to constantly be at work as artists, and that is my plan. So, if you want something made, a table, a stand, a stool, a bowl, you know, whatever, please email me at zacmallard@gmail.com with what you are looking for, and I will make it for the material cost.
Obviously I can't just charge materials forever, so act now before I can start charging actual coin!

Here are some shots of the Brazilian Cherry inlaid with Pine  french rolling pin I'm making for a friend. Inlay is complete, with 3/4 dowel running through a 11/16th hole. With it being cold out it's optimal time to pound the Pine in, as when it heats up outside the soft wood (Pine, the circles) will expand, and seal even tighter into the Cherry base. The only glue used was a couple small beads of waterproof TightBond to join the strips of Cherry. More photos soon!