I received the latest issue of the AAW magazine and the following thoughts occurred to me. These are similar to Arch's Musings, but obviously can't be done with the same savoire faire and panache. A gorgeous magazine! The first thing I noticed was the preponderance of not-bowls (see Arch's musings on that score). The majority represented things that were more likely to having been obtained from StarTrek or StarGate expeditions to off-world sites, i.e., alien artifacts. I would like to suggest a name for this "genre" of semi-turnings, semi-carvings, semi-etcs! Hybrids! Normally, the term is applied to plant and animal breeding, but I suggest we stretch it to encompass those creations whose purpose clearly is not to hold objects or liquids, i.e., not-bowls!
When the purpose of turning wood is relegated to a minor portion of the process, then I think the object assumes an identity beyond that of a wholly turned item, e.g., a bowl. Rather it becomes a prepared surface, much like a gessoed canvas on wooden stretcher bars, only three dimensional. It is then carved, burned, painted, distressed, broken, cracked, stressed, stitched, magnetized, electrified and in general, made most unbowl-like. These hybrids seem to fit more readily into subcategories of sculpture, applique, quilting, fauvism, cake decorating, landscape painting and three dimensional Rorschach blots. Some are on par with imitations of various Japanese bento (compartmented lunch box) displays. Don't get me wrong, I love bento lunches and some of the objets looked good enough to eat.
In any event, this should be enough to generate catcalls, threatening emails and the like, but we prophets are much maligned in our times, are we not, Arch? I can hear the pack stirring! *G*
Leif Occasional Recreational Turner and Proud Sears Craftsman Owner