Duality - Phase 6b

Phase 6b

August 8, 1997

The problem of how to mount and display the work took some time and a few good minds to resolve.

When talking with Richard about how I wanted to display the work at the Whitehorse Airport, he suggested that I mount it as I would prefer to display it, tipped forward slightly so that the "duality effect" would be visible from the front. This seemed reasonable, but difficult. I had planned merely to prop it up in the display case, without a stand. So to make a stand that could create that effect was a challenge.

The base was my first task. I had spoken to Richard about using beams from pallets, but finding beams of simalar material and consistency proved difficult. I denailed and planed eight beams before I found three that went well together.

Not knowing a great deal about joinery, I consulted with Gerry Kortello, who also teaches woodworking, and he showed me how gluing and clamping was sufficient to bind the wood and eliminate any warping. It worked marvelously.

After planing the glued beams to a thickness I felt appropriate, I sketched out a profile on one side which immitated the skull, reproduced it on the other and cut it out using my band saw. I then sanded and routered the edges.

For the pedestal, I decided to go with wood over antler. After some experimentation, I found that a single piece of wood, inserted through the large opening in the rear of the skull, could support the weight of the entire skull. Encouraged, I designed a pedestal with grace, and a little shape, to echo the negative space at the back of the upper jaw. Originally, I cut an opening in the lower portion of the pedestal, but was uncertain of the effect. My wife saw immediately that the base needed to be solid, so as not to detract from the work itself. The solid shape of the pedestal would also serve to balance the large mass above the upper jaw. I agreed and redid the pedestal without the opening.

The pedestal is designed in such a way that the skull does not need to be permanently attached. The skull fits over the end of the pedestal and its weight binds it fast.

Once the pedestal and base were sanded, they were varnished. The wood is cedar and did not need to be stained. Nail holes are visible and add an interesting accent to the sizable base, the rust from the nails colouring the wood around the holes black.

The finished work will now spend a month or so at the Whitehorse Airport, courtesy of Richard Olson. I have rented a display case for the year and hope to display each of my works as they are finished. Richard has also agreed to let me borrow the work in February 1998 for my display booth at the annual FNAWS Convention in Reno. (FNAWS stands for Foundation for North American Wild Sheep - see their link on my Links Page.)

Thank you Richard for your generousity, both for your adventurous spirit in commissioning an original piece of this nature and for your patience in receiving it, after its little tour of the Yukon and brief foray to Reno next year.

An interpretation of the piece? Some have suggested duality: right brain/left brain, nature/technology, Human/Borg! All are possible.

Personally, I just like the design ...

Shane

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