Anderson Ranch Arts Center Workshop Catalogs 2010-2014 | Page 33

Vivian Beer, Bridge Bench

Sylvie Rosenthal, Warren

Don Miller, Untitled

July 2 - 13

July 16 - 20

July 23 - August 3

Metal Furniture: 

domestic object/art object

Introduction to Sculptural
Carving 

Vivian Beer

Sylvie Rosenthal

Skill Level: III - IV

Skill Level: I - III

Concept:  The “domestic landscape” of furniture: not only is it where we eat, sleep and live,
it’s also a powerful physical format for expressing concepts and engaging us in an imaginative
experience. In this class we explore the spectrum between function and sculpture while
engaging in both practical construction and theoretical idea building. Students are introduced
to metalworking techniques from the hand
hammer and tig welder to slip roller. We delve
into the ideas of personal and private, intimacy
and performance, ergonomics and play–exploring the nature of how furniture affects us.

Concept: Here is a class for those whose hands
hunger to carve and shape in wood. This week
is devoted to the carving process from start
to finish. We begin with whatever inspires:
creatures from the animal kingdom, human
anatomy, sticks, stones, marionettes, anything.
Participants brainstorm reductive processes to
figure out the method and order of how a sculpture is carved. We cover techniques like gluing
up multiple parts, choosing joinery and solving
the challenge of movable parts.

Media & Techniques:  Steel, basic drafting,
modeling in scale, pattern making, welding, jig
making, forging and use of abrasives for finishing and surface development.
Activities: We split time between idea building and fabricating. There are group discussions, technical demonstrations and slide presentations. Lecture subjects cover proportion,
ergonomics, history, material experimentation )