tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post6683345883137825979..comments2023-11-05T06:16:56.961-05:00Comments on the Carpentry Way: Wheeling out New WorkAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-70390036605093504812013-06-02T19:54:57.519-04:002013-06-02T19:54:57.519-04:00Adam,
thanks for your observations. It was, and c...Adam,<br /><br />thanks for your observations. It was, and continues to be an excellent project with which to be engaged.<br /><br />The front carrier is a triangulated arrangement. The wheel forks attach to the frame with trapped sliding dovetails. The front vertical struts are mortised, tenoned, and pegged at each end, and the horizontals are actually two-piece splines, driven against each other to form a brace. There are a pair of thick central beams running underneath the barrow lengthwise, not visible in the above picture, to which the fork and wheel front struts attach. Thus, the load from the barrow is transmitted through the frame, then forks and struts, to the axle and wheel.<br /><br />The arrangement of the parts was dictated by the configuration of the original unit as seen in a single photograph, and I couldn't wander far from that. That was the primary design constraint and adhering to that picture was very important to the folks at Koons. In fact the slight re-shaping of a couple of parts mentioned in the text above was to bring the shape of two of the pieces -the wheel forks and main carrier beams- into closer shape-match with the original in the photo.<br /><br />I examined several other antique Chinese wheelbarrows to see how they are put together, including one which is stored by someone in my shop building, about 50 feet from my bench. Most of them have fairly crude joinery, and suffer from wonky wheels. I think they were made by farmers for the most part. There are designs with more sophisticated framing systems, but the point here, again, was to adhere closely to the example in the photograph.<br /><br />I did get to sort the joinery details out in this piece as I saw fit. I designed and added a knee brace also to the rear support legs while the original used some crudely twisted wire like you see on some frame saws. Some barrows use braces, some use cables.<br /><br />The wheelbarrow is fully functional and I'm confident it could carry a couple hundred pounds, though the soft teak would not stand up to the actual wear and tear of use for too long I suspect.<br /><br />~C<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-50212049503470053592013-06-02T19:18:43.426-04:002013-06-02T19:18:43.426-04:00"Art is whatever you can get away with."..."Art is whatever you can get away with." - Marshall McLuhan<br /><br /> What an opportunity. I don't think I have a specific opinion about the arguments over the artistic statement or purpose. You get to work through the concept of the wheelbarrow on close to ideal circumstances and I'm sure the income allows you a little space to pursue other ideas alongside it.<br /> I find the support structure a little puzzling. I don't know what to call it, but the load-bearing structure from the axle to the box. I suspect if I actually had it in front of me it would make more sense, but it doesn't look like it can hold that much weight from here.<br />Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15715505179198002356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-15228145507274576972013-05-26T22:13:51.590-04:002013-05-26T22:13:51.590-04:00pcooper, I appreciate the comment and the sentimen...pcooper, I appreciate the comment and the sentiment.<br /><br />~CAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-22344417749212340762013-05-26T20:46:08.883-04:002013-05-26T20:46:08.883-04:00How lovely, wodwoork like textile work can be unde...How lovely, wodwoork like textile work can be underrated by some. Anyway love the wheelbarrowpcooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133138883802067865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-65148350867141818642013-05-24T18:34:58.699-04:002013-05-24T18:34:58.699-04:00Tom,
I appreciate the props. I imagine there are ...Tom,<br /><br />I appreciate the props. I imagine there are people out there though who would be enthralled with the hulk and barely notice the woodwork. I'm glad I could contribute some woodwork to the gallery - the wheelbarrow is the only wooden item in the entire space.<br /><br />~CAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-79992724375386275862013-05-24T18:20:26.109-04:002013-05-24T18:20:26.109-04:00Chris
I think Harlan hit the nail on the head: i...Chris <br /><br />I think Harlan hit the nail on the head: its the contrast! As such, its no wonder the readers of this blog find the wheelbarrow very attractive, even lovely, while the Hulk leaves them cold. Its a nice piece of work on your part and maybe deeper on Mr Koons part than it first seems.<br /><br />Tomtomausmichigannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-32584974667001737442013-05-24T08:49:28.879-04:002013-05-24T08:49:28.879-04:00Mathieu,
thanks for your comment and my sentiment...Mathieu,<br /><br />thanks for your comment and my sentiments exactly in terms of more work like this coming along.<br /><br />~CAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-20927544063746602342013-05-24T05:43:41.099-04:002013-05-24T05:43:41.099-04:00Nice work! I truly hope that a lot more commission...Nice work! I truly hope that a lot more commissions of that caliber will find their way to your shop.Mathieuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02598299531607920548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-69607627579789539362013-05-23T22:12:26.104-04:002013-05-23T22:12:26.104-04:00Charlie,
many thanks for the comment. I think the...Charlie,<br /><br />many thanks for the comment. I think the thing with whatever kind of art it is, boils down to whether we like it or are at least stimulated in some way by looking at it. <br /><br />~CAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-70754304856036291862013-05-23T21:55:04.839-04:002013-05-23T21:55:04.839-04:00That is a lovely cart, Chris. Well done.
I remain ...That is a lovely cart, Chris. Well done.<br />I remain baffled by museum art.<br /><br />CharlieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-4990384947178734792013-05-22T22:54:17.492-04:002013-05-22T22:54:17.492-04:00Harlan,
great to hear from you. The four pieces w...Harlan,<br /><br />great to hear from you. The four pieces will be installed in separate locations and in concert with other pieces - not even sure which countries are involved frankly as far as gallery location goes. There will only be one Hulk (wheelbarrow) on display wherever the exhibit containing that theme is installed.<br /><br />~CAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-92085352934398078262013-05-22T22:51:59.056-04:002013-05-22T22:51:59.056-04:00Craig,
thanks for the comment, and no, all credit...Craig,<br /><br />thanks for the comment, and no, all credit goes to the commissioning artist. That's the deal and I understood that from the beginning. I am glad to be part of the process.<br /><br />~CAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-9795050776983873882013-05-22T22:50:22.982-04:002013-05-22T22:50:22.982-04:00Dale,
thanks, glad you like it.
~CDale,<br /><br />thanks, glad you like it.<br /><br />~CAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-7482476397444594732013-05-22T22:50:01.185-04:002013-05-22T22:50:01.185-04:00Bruce,
your sentiments are greatly appreciated an...Bruce,<br /><br />your sentiments are greatly appreciated and I do hope to meet a client with such ideas and the means to realize them.<br /><br />~CAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-54435363007960178692013-05-22T22:48:54.398-04:002013-05-22T22:48:54.398-04:00Julie,
glad you like the wheelbarrow, and thanks...Julie, <br /><br />glad you like the wheelbarrow, and thanks for commenting.<br /><br />~CAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-54331933305702584872013-05-22T22:48:19.714-04:002013-05-22T22:48:19.714-04:00Scott,
thanks for the kind word and questions. Un...Scott,<br /><br />thanks for the kind word and questions. Unfortunately I cannot reveal any further details about the piece. The images are carefully controlled by the artist.<br /><br />~CAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-55423138255086632042013-05-22T22:47:13.203-04:002013-05-22T22:47:13.203-04:00Pat,
good to hear from you.
~CPat,<br /><br />good to hear from you.<br /><br />~CAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-62216384297515202352013-05-22T22:37:51.931-04:002013-05-22T22:37:51.931-04:00Nice. Surely part of the statement is the juxtapos...Nice. Surely part of the statement is the juxtaposition of modern, entertainment minded, mass produced, cheap culture and real craftsmanship. Congratulations. <br /><br />Just so I know how to plan my visit, will all four pieces be on display at the same time? <br /><br />Peace,<br />Harlan BarnhartAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-16541644951269002362013-05-22T17:52:03.331-04:002013-05-22T17:52:03.331-04:00Any accreditation from Gagosian or are you just an...Any accreditation from Gagosian or are you just another anonymous craftsman subsumed by a name artist? I hope you were well compensated.<br />CraigCraighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18047076136030438656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-61294476350315931392013-05-22T13:31:08.018-04:002013-05-22T13:31:08.018-04:00Koon's unique pieces go for several million do...Koon's unique pieces go for several million dollars, beyond my ken or desire. To each his own, but if I had that money I'd commission a Chinese study from you, similar to rooms in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. <br /> Bruce MackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-91834337610991238112013-05-22T13:06:08.051-04:002013-05-22T13:06:08.051-04:00That wheelbarrow is stunningly beautiful. (The Hu...That wheelbarrow is stunningly beautiful. (The Hulk not so much)Julie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-60202477163939308802013-05-22T11:41:03.613-04:002013-05-22T11:41:03.613-04:00Excellent work Chris. Handmade, beautiful and full...Excellent work Chris. Handmade, beautiful and fully functional. You are an inspiration to study, learn and produce items of true value. I read the wheelbarrow post and was fascinated. Will you post any of your drawings for this piece? Or detail photos? The wheel and wheel carriage look very interesting. Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />Scott Thomas Scott Thomashttp://www.flatheadconstructionsolutions.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-63248555102055732182013-05-22T11:26:37.297-04:002013-05-22T11:26:37.297-04:00Like you, I don't get it but the wheelbarrow i...Like you, I don't get it but the wheelbarrow is lovely.patrick andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15587752566557612303noreply@blogger.com