We have been keeping a blog since 2008. It is a chronological listing of many topics related to Wood that Works. You will find information about sculptures, inspirations, other artists, day to day life in the shop. The topics are many and fascinating. If you are an avid follower of David's work we encourage you to subscribe to this blog to receive the regular updates.
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 9:11AM
Kang Duck-Bong is a young sculptor from Korea and his work recently crossed our digital space. What attracted us to it was, of course, the motion.
His work only includes the essence of motion. It is truly static. The techniques he uses combining color and pvc piping is very effective at creating the ilusion of motion.
You can see more of his work at the Gallery4Walls website here.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 5:23PM
There are three new Wood That Works screensavers available for downloading over on the WTW website. David finally upgraded the screen saver software and that, combined with all the incredible video footage we shot for the TEDx presentation, inspired him. Choose any of these to grace your digital window and bring calm to your computing arena.
This screen saver incorporates the zen like chime sounds created by this sculpture. It is soft and soothing as well as visually interesting.
This silent screen saver includes a snippet of five different sculptures currently available from David. You'll see Gyration, Shimmer, Quandary, North Star and Avalanche. Put this one on your desktop to give hints to others about what you'd love to receive.
In this screen saver David experimented more with the capabilities of Final Cut and create a video that combines beautiful sculptures with interesting video work as well. Included are Journey, Fiesta, Evolution and North Star.
David needed to upgrade the software because the previous version could not create screen savers for the newer operating systems. This one can. So if you have Mac OSX or Windows 7, and your older WTW screensavers stopped working, give these a try.
Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 10:19AM
I have noticed there is a direct link between people who relate to David's kinetic sculpture and those who love roller coasters. The connection might take a detour through rolling balling sculptures as well. I am sure that link is what made me take notice of this sculpture in Germany.
photos by Thomas Mayer http://thomasmayerarchive.de/
This landscape interavtive art is installed in the city of Duisberg in Germany. The title, "Crouching Tiger and Turtle", reflects the human interaction with the sculpture. It has the visual potential of speed and motion yet in actuality, it must be experienced slowly, at human climbing speed.
It was created by Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth. As I studied the structure I wondered how one passed through the anti-gravity loop but on further research I learned one can not. It is a closed loop and you can climb from either end but not from one end to the other.
The evening views apear as dynamic scribbles against the night sky. Another thing added to the bucket list! I'd love to experience this in person.
Note: These photographs are by Thomas Mayer. His work is available for sale at his website. He has incredible images of many subjects. Worth a look!
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 12:04PM David has never created a kinetic scupture that keeps time. He likes to maximize the motion and that design goal is at odds with a time keeping device. But we still do love those wooden clocks. Here is a very intircate one that I found on the web recently. Check out the insides.
The Russian Wooden Gadgets site notes the following, "Such Russian clocks were produced by the Bronnikov family from Russia. For three generations they mastered their skills on crafting light-weight fully functional wooden pocket clocks. Such gadgets were true hit back then, among their customers there were Russian Tzars and other high society members. They were sending their samples to the international exhibitions of Paris and New York to make foreign people awe. The price of such wooden clocks exceeded of those of gold. Not many of those survived Russian revolution and communist reign. Those who did are a rare guest of antique shops priced at around $20,000 for each."
Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 10:51AM
David's kinetic sculptures don't require electricty to run but they do require electricity to be made. A freak snow storm charged through Connecticut last Saturday dumping 12" of heavy, wet snow. Twelve inches is not unusual for us, 12" in October is. Unfortunately many trees still had leaves and the weight bent them low and for many, past their breaking point. This week production has come to halt as we deal with living without running water, power, Internet, telephones and cell coverage. It was a beautiful sight though.
Hopefully power will be restored soon and work can continue. In the meantime David has a lot of chainsaw work to do!