As humans we’ve had a long relationship with wood. First we lived up in the trees, lounging like a bunch of lazy monkeys feasting on our day’s gatherings as the savanna sun set. Then we discovered we could burn the trees. We had become cooks, pit-masters, and fire-keepers. Then we decided to start making useful things out of trees. We called these “tools,” “weapons,” and “houses.” Then we started making pretty things out of wood, things which were also useful. We called these things “furniture” and “architecture.” Then some people decided that beauty has utility all its own. We called the things they made “sculpture” and “art.”
Whether you call it art, furniture or architecture, utilitarian or self-indulgent, we humans are drawn to things made of wood. With that in mind, here are a few things I hope you like.
Collage IX: Landscape (detail)
By George Morrison. Driftwood, 1974. View a full, zoomable image of Collage IX: Landscape here. (Thanks to Shorter10 for this suggestion.)
Naust Paa Aure
By TYIN Architects. Aure Kommune, More Og Romsdal, Norway. A boathouse built with wood and other materials left from an older, 1800s structure. See more photos here. All photos by Pasi Aalto.
Conoid Bench
By George Nakashima. American black walnut, hickory, and rosewood, 1962.
Violone in G
By Renate Fink. Inspired by an El Greco painting, c. 1590, string length 80cm.
Re-Turned
By Lars Beller Fjetland. Turned recycled wood scraps.
Five Birds Table
By Palo Samko. Claro walnut. (Thanks to LaZiguezon for this suggestion.)
Note: Some of these designers, builders, and styles deserve more attention than just a few photos and links. I hope to do some profiles in the future to expand on some of what you’ll see in Things Made From Wood posts. Let me know if there are any artists, builders, designers, or styles that you would like to read about in greater depth.
