Inspiration
The Callux sculptural pedestal’s name is a portmanteau of Gemini twins, Castor and Pollux, inspired by two great forms originating from a single entity. Our clients liked this form because it reminded them of the mountainous Wyoming landscape that features as the backdrop for this piece. Warm tones and natural materials were the inspiration for the finishes and the combination of the sculptural bronze pedestal and live edge walnut blended beautifully.
I was approached by Navy Black Studio to work on this project for a private client in Wyoming. The client's loved the idea of the pedestal sticking out through the top, like mountains rising through the clouds.
Process
My design process starts with abstract research into an idea, often involving more reading of a topic than sourcing visual clues. Each collection is named after the original sculptural form that I create through maquette’s using a mix of media, and without considering functionality. Once sculpted, these maquette’s are 3D scanned and brought into my design and render software, where I digitally manipulate to create scale and functionality.
Materials and Finish
The base is made from a polyurethane composite material, which is CNC machined using a 5 axis. I then refine the shape by hand to create the final form. We finished this in our signature hand-applied bronze using rollers and trowels to create an impasto texture, which is then fettled to achieve the final surface. We use a cold patina technique to create depth, which is then polished, and repeated to give variety. Finally, we finish with a natural mineral wax. For the slab, we used a UV protecting wax oil from Osmo to naturally highlight the luster of the wood.
Challenges
As the slab wasn’t flat and had a crack to the mid point we had to do a lot of calculations to strengthen and understand how to flatten it. Penta 3D scanned it and I worked with the team to position and get the maximum thickness out. We also milled two large pockets in the underside and glued blocks to strengthen the crack. There were a lot of decisions I had to make during the clean up of the top, which the clients gave me incredible freedom with, including patches and scooping out sections of the underside to make more of a feature of where the top was thin.
About
I am incredibly proud of the fact that I can dream something up and make it a tangible piece of art, and of my involvement throughout the whole process. I started out making furniture, then moved into design and sales, and gradually the projects got more varied and complex. I now pride myself on our flexibility and problem solving skills.
Three One Four (Triangle, Circle, Square) stems from my initials (ACW) and how I sign the canvasses I paint as a hobby. I start each piece with an idea and abstract it over and over again and can use each piece in multiple ways, through mixed media, scale and usage. I use a mix of handmade techniques and state-of-the-art software and production so the geometry of my brand and the fact that 3.14 is also pi links the idea of my artistic and technical sides.
I am partnered with Penta Pattern & Model, who specialize in 3D scanning, CNC machining, composite and casting works for arts and automotive industries.
See more of ThreeOneFour Studio's work and check out NAVYBLACK Studio below .
www.navyblackstudio.com/portfolio
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