IDES7200 | 2023
Instructor: Jason Shields
Project: Centrepiece Workshop | Deliquesce
CONCEPT STATEMENT
Deliquesce is a table centrepiece that is carved from Manitoba Maple wood and functions as a water fountain. It represents perseverance through a difficult time when unprepared and a period of convalescence. The fountain acts as a metaphor for when trees and their leaves become glazed in ice while enduring harsh winter storms. After these storms, the glaze melts and shimmers in the warm sun. The acoustic and visual characteristics of this centrepiece provide the viewer with a tangible experience that aids in understanding the process of perseverance and recovery.
DESIGN STATEMENT
The centrepiece represents perseverance through difficulties and a period of convalescence. The fountain acts as a metaphor for when trees and their leaves become glazed in ice while enduring harsh winter storms. After the storm passes, the glaze melts and shimmers in the warm sun. The acoustic and visual characteristics of this centrepiece provides the observer with a tangible experience that aids in understanding the process of perseverance and recovery.
The centrepiece represents perseverance through difficulties and a period of convalescence. The fountain acts as a metaphor for when trees and their leaves become glazed in ice while enduring harsh winter storms. After the storm passes, the glaze melts and shimmers in the warm sun. The acoustic and visual characteristics of this centrepiece provides the observer with a tangible experience that aids in understanding the process of perseverance and recovery.
The inspiration of this piece comes from the beauty clear glaze ice embodies as it encapsulates tree leaves during Manitoba’s harsh winter storms. The clear glaze makes the leaves appear as though they have been dipped in glass. The tree thaws to the symphony of the droplets as the ice melts in the warm sun. The material selected for this centrepiece are Manitoba Maple wood. This wood was locally sourced and re-purposed for this object. The joining of the three sections are done so with tightly carved fittings and epoxy. Epoxy was chosen for its resilience and waterproofing properties, unlike wood glue that is typically water soluble. The plumbing of the fountain system is comprised of a micro-sized water pump and vinyl hose. The pump is plugged into a portable USB battery pack that is housed on the underside of the fountain’s bowl. Recovered rocks were found and re-purposed to occupy the space in the bowl and to obscure the pump.
This centrepiece showcases several elements of biophilic design. The shape of the bowl shows the characteristics of the natural form of the wood used. The natural grain of the wood is celebrated throughout this piece and the process of the freezing and melting of ice is represented as well. The environmental features represented in this piece are also evident through the representation of harsh winter storms, seasonal changes, and the effect direct sun has on elements of nature. This fountain centrepiece is carved from local wood to enhance the connection to the harsh local Manitoba winter storms. A synthetic, non-soluble glaze is used to represent the ice that covers the leaves. The fountain trickles water over the carved leaves to represent the melting and healing period of the piece.
Process Images
