Eclipse, 2023
Making, Materiality
and Form
Speaking on inspiration and ‘Eclipse’
‘Eclipse’ is a design that explores the concept of material transformation. In this work I sought to explore techniques of making that broadened my experience, and one that would lend itself in creating a fluid form using rigid materials.
The design is an acute curve, housing a light strip that projects outward adjacent to the curve. The feature of the design is its absence of joinery; the form is bent in eleven ply-layers of Tasmanian Blackwood cut from a single length of timber and laminated in order to resemble its original form. The Australian native exhibits a golden hue when lit upon, amid the dark seams that run through its burnt copper grain. Presented with an accompanying stand, or hung from an attachment, ‘Eclipse’ is a feature piece that can ornament a multitude of spaces.
Design &
Detail
The process of designing Eclipse started as an investigation into techniques of bending wood.
There are multiple ways to bend timber, you can use heat to render the fibers more pliable. You can use moisture to the same effect. The greatest technique I discovered was the combination of both, in the form of steam. This is a well-known technique, and many makers construct a ‘hotbox’ that acts as a sauna in which the lengths are placed before bending.
Through experimentation I found that pliability is relative to the length and thickness of the timber. a length at 300mm (l) by 3mm (d) requires heat and moisture in order to achieve a 90-degree curve. A length at 1900mm (l) by 3mm (d) however, was able to achieve the same angle without any treatment. The degree of curve was the same, but the fibers had more room to shift and expand/contract to avoid splitting.
Although my initial investigations were a great teaching, the ply lengths were not going to need steam treatment to achieve the desired outcome.
The foundation of the bending process centered around the quality of the jig. A great amount of time and effort was afforded to make the jig strong and accommodate clamps for laminating.
The lamp was laminated in two halves, each compiled of eleven ply layers. The halves were then laminated together. After dressing, and finishing, the final form was achieved.
Alternate designs of Eclipse exist. Shown above is the lamp being supported by a stand that is fastened to the curve by a bracket. Photographed is the curved being supported by hanging chains. The design is complimented equally by both, and the choice of medium is just dependent on its interaction with the chosen space, and how the end user sees fit.
Cam.