Experimenting: Model making

My early experiments on cardboard before moving into metal sheet. I found it hard to think of ways to join two differently cut cylinders or cones. How to calculate the exactly right circumference, and what if the rim needed be oval shape?? Realised that it had become quite mathematical for me.. spent hours on online forums, where math experts explains formula's that aren't so easy to figure out, especially if it has been 15 years since the last time calculating complex formula's in secondary school! Needed to cogitate something more straightforward. These shapes has become too complex for my taste, I have realised that what I am after, is more ascetic.  

Cylinder with oblique rim and edge 

Hybrid cylinder. The main vessel carries smaller one on its side. 

Low cylinder with oblique rim

    Oblique truncated cylinder  

                   
   

      

Factory 20

Found this amazing multi-disciplinary art and design collective merchant. They are selling 20th century decorative arts and furnishing. They ship internationally... 

Factory20

Barber shop globe

Industrial Trolley

British Silver Week 2012

British Silver Week 2012

Launching this year at the fine art Pangolin London gallery on 12 May the BSW Festival of Silver 2012 promises to be bigger than ever.

Victoria Coleman

Inspirational cast iron

Handle Me by Awaa 
The stunning cast iron cookware by Awaa from Norway celebrates the basic principle of cooking in the world of fast foods and take aways.
I love the way the pitch black rough cast iron, bulky and reduced oak handles and bright white, assumably enamelled lids goes together. Each piece is stylistically detailed, yet they seem to come a cross very minimal and somehow feel extremely light.

Examining the form

Since beginning of the project, I've been looking different design brands and their objects. I have categorised the research into two, shape and material/finish. 

I made a decision that I am designing for the kitchen - something that is functional yet aesthetically attractive. The Key Elements are: simplicity, raw, structural, every day use, precious. Here is few selected tableware objects that I felt fits into the category.

Measuring - something we do in the kitchen when cooking and baking. fundamental tool

Paul Smith and Eno vessels are two walled, inner circle dish set slightly deeper, creating visual illusion of floating. I find the chunkiness and the weight that this way constructed objects create, intriguing. I think the relatively heavy weight on an object can be associated with preciousness.

The brass Kin set by Skultuna has an uniform look, that can be established from each object. The measures (diameter), material finish and shape in some way or another go together. I think my project and the outcome should reflect uniformity!

Cylinder Shakers by Ladies and Gentlemen Studio has a very simple approach to design. Its the plainness that attracts, and the use of beautiful materials. Salt and pepper pinch bowl...hmmm...that's an idea!

All these objects are vessels, therefore, they are to hold something inside, to store.   

Enamelled measuring jug

Dot by Paul Smith

Eno Ciotolito Copper Dish by Donoata Paruccini

Skultuna Kin set by Claesson Koivisto Rune

Cylinder Shakers by Ladies and Gentlemen Studio

History of Metal

Couple of days ago I watched on BBC iPlayer this fascinating programme about metal, called How it works: Metal. Presenter Mike Miodownik goes through the history of metal since Stone Age, when our ancestors from Middle East found copper, starting a new era of Bronze Age. Copper on its own its malleable and soft, so is tin, but about 3000BC they realised that by melting those two metals together, making an alloy, they created bronze that was strong - excellent material for tools and weapons.
The next great development in metallurgy was when iron was discovered, starting Iron Age around 1300BC in Ancient Near East. It took another 1000 years to Chinese to invent cast iron, but first iron foundry in England was only found in 1161 AD. Next stage from relatively brittle cast iron was invention of steel - iron with added element of carbon. Today steel is one of the most common materials in the world, used in infrastructure and machines to name few.
Interesting! 

Collect 2012

Today, after hard day at college, me and Virginie visited in Saatchi Gallery to see private view of Crafts Council's Collect 2012. In a nice set up, with glasses filled with wine, we made our way through the art fair discussing about exhibitioners works and wondering how some of the crafted objects were made and so on. Michael Marriott's curation of Raw Craft was particularly intriguing with its hand-on approach to making and where skills and hight quality were the main message. Very delightful evening! Got plenty of inspiration and motivation for my own practise.   

Even though, I was mainly keeping my eye on metalworks, the most memorable piece must have been Antonio Spoto's ceramic works. The Belgian artist was happy to explain about his work, techniques and materials he uses. Luckily I was with Virginie, so they ware able to chit chat properly in French!  

Copper Inspiration

Absolutely fell in love with these Mauviel copper saucepans. The French company has been making them since mid 19th century, and they are still today highly appreciated by chefs in professional kitchens and by cooks in domestic environments due to the coppers' high thermal and electrical conductivity. Though, great care has to be taken when using copper pans, as the material is soft and dents easily. Copper releases toxins when in touch with acid foodstuffs. In the past, they used to tin-line by hand the pans and pots from inside, today copper pans are mainly industrially lined with stainless steel.
I decided to work on copper, because of its beautiful colour, that actually oxidises and patina over time, and therefore creates feel of longevity towards the object. I feel that due to the metals' soft appearance, the dents that will appear from use, will give a hint of nostalgia and makes the owner want to nurture the beloved sauce pan or pot even more greatly, arousing it to live longer.   

I have found inspiration from Kaikado's tea caddies. These beauties are made from copper (stainless steel lined) or alternatively you can get them in brass, tin or silver.  Then caddies varies in size and purpose, some of them have a added handle or others has layered compartments making them available for many uses. It is the simple unembellished design that strikes me!

Where to begin...

I chose this image as my very first post, because at the moment I am working on my final project, and it is all about COPPER!