Vertical and Horizontal sundials
Laser cut metal, oak, brass
The process of making 2 sundials was documented on youtube as part of Somerste Open Studios 2023
‘The first step in making the sundial is to create two solid bases that the metal pieces can ‘hang’ or ‘sit’ on. I’m using oak here and it’s a hard material work with because…. well, it is itself, very hard.
I realise much of this process would have been made easier with the use of a chainsaw, but seeing as my approach to safety is dubious, I decided the array of rusty old tools I had to hand we’re probably less injury inducing.
There’s also something that aligns nicely with an art practice that holds the idea of ‘work’ and the role of technology at it’s core. In contrast to the perfect machine precision of the laser cutter, literally pulling apart and old oak beam feels somehow right – the body manipulates the material and as a result it’s inherent idiosyncrasies are amplified.