SIMPLE CONSTRUCTIONS (Fourth Posting) hares & squares

Simple Constructions (4th Posting) Hares & Squares

The joy of creating a project that is a temporary installation reminds us of the beauty of a spring ephemeral and life itself. We apply our most intense focus, appreciation and passion to the artwork because we know its existence is limited.

The challenge for the project was to economically construct the artwork out of material that would withstand outdoor conditions for the duration of the 2009 summer season. Vandalism was not considered an issue and the artwork, if used as shooting targets, (while not encouraged), would be deemed to be an essential part of the evolving artwork.

We considered various materials such as EVA foam and also extruded polystyrene foam sandwiched between colourful, corrugated Coroplast sheets. There did not appear to be any easy way of mounting these materials in a simple and discreet way to withstand certain anticipated forces of nature.

In the end we settled on a more traditional palette of materials: 3/8 inch, exterior grade, good one side plywood, 2 by 3/4/6’s, screws, construction adhesive, metal T posts and paint.

The construction process started with hand drawn sketches developed further into cadd drawings of the final outlines of the shapes. The larger structural 2 by members were located as well.

The process was primitive. We projected the drawings with our laptop connected to a video projector and hand traced the outlines onto the sheets of plywood on our driveway. It was a truly memorable, moonlit evening.

In contrast to the complex technologies that we live with every day, we seem to find that basic craft-making using simple tools and common materials connects our inside world to the outside world in a very direct and calming manner.

After screwing over twelve hundred, 1 ¼ inch, zinc plated, # 8 wood screws, the original 15 sheets of 4 by 8 plywood took form.

Neighbourhood wonder evolved into smiles and neighbourly delight!!!!