about pedestals and staging

[Lionel Mercier]

Hello everyone,

AAW member since January 2009 and since in the gallery, I do not think ever spoke here in the main forum (language barrier probably making function ?)
I think therefore necessary to briefly introduce myself.
A retired for almost two years, for many years woodturning is one of my hobbies .
I practice totally amateur, just for the fun of learning.

I now come to the topic on which I consult your opinions today.

When a piece has no base. When you can not place it alone, a pedestal is required.
Do you not experience problems in the choice of this pedestal ?
Me, yes.

It is said that the stand must be forgotten
But I find that its presence can add something.
Generally, the pedestal is removable, so I can do testing. I take pictures to try and I considers with the help of picture.
Photo sees different way as the eye, but it can also show more and better (staging)

Briefly, what is your attitude towards the pedestal and staging

I show examples here.
A piece I did not dare put it in the gallery, the base are small pebbles with a humorous scene setting
is this serious ?


This one with its support taken from a twig. They fit well together ?


And we could also talk about the titles ... but now, languages will complicate the game
On this last point, I hope I haven't made too many mistakes
(Mistakes is Google. Which is good, that's Collins and me 🙂 )
Sincerely
Lionel.

 

[Odie]

Lionel.......

I understand your meaning, and use of the language.......Do not hesitate to add your input here in the forums.

Your style is amazing, and I've been a fan of yours for a few years. I've followed your entries to the AAW gallery.

Yes, your pedestals add a great deal to the appeal of your turnings.....and such a creative mind you have. You must keep doing what you are doing, because you are a stand-out individualist.

I am very much different than you in what my interests are, so can't relate on my feelings as to what kind of pedestal works for my turnings.

Maybe some others are using pedestals........

Yes, I think the second picture with the twig has a very nice look to it.

ooc

Note: If you would like, you could just write your post in your own language. We have the ability to translate your words very easily. I use what's called "Bing translator" on another international forum. It does a very good job. You can post in your language, and I can reply in mine......very cool, because language isn't a big barrier to communication like it once was.

 

[Charlie Knighton]

Hi Lionel,

I enjoy your turnings, you really do work with an imagination .

 

[hockenbery]

Lionel,

Nice work!
Pedestals are hard to do well.

For me pedestals should either be an integral part of the work or fade into the background un-noticed.

Your fish scene I see as complete work the baited hook and fish form are details within the work.

When I look at the hollow form photo, I'm drawn the pedestal, particularly to base and wondering if the branch is natural or pieced together
Then after a while I notice there is gorgeous hollow form hung as an ornament on the pedestal.
I wonder how the form would look displayed with no pedestal.


I have always found the pedestals don by
Betty Scarpino, Ron Gerton, Clay Foster to be excellent.

 

[Mark Mandell]

Lionel,

I neither speak nor read Dutch, French or German so I'm stuck with English. Yours is doing just fine😉

That said, I think the concept you're asking about is a "base" or "holder" for your piece rather than a pedestal which (in English) implies a sort of free-standing column used to display an item.

So on to your pieces . .

A base serves two primary functions: To stabilize an otherwise unstable object and to serve as a transition element between the object and the surface on which it's placed.

In your fish piece, you've gone beyond a base and have created a tableau (yeah, I know, that's French, but we stole the word). The rocks and other items become very important to the visual explanation of what your turning is about. They are not, however, a base (or pedestal) but rather an integral part of the piece. If you were to employ a base with this piece, it would be something to hold and contain the entire tableau in place.

By contrast, your tree branch support is a base which holds and supports your calabash form. Since you've chosen a "natural" object for your support, be mindful that it should be a support that works to focus attention on the primary object. If you get too complex with your base, it will visually detract from the primary object. The danger here is that you get so involved with an interesting base that you loose track of your real work, the object you're trying to display.

The one comment that may apply to both pieces you've shown is that the extra items (rocks, tree branch, etm) may become overly competitive with the object you've created.

PS: Going back and looking at your fish it occurs to me that with the size and number of the rocks, rounded stream stones though they may be, the piece is a bit "busy". It occurs to me that the tableau might be more effective with just a few stones but with the others replaced with sand and, perhaps, another of your sticks. This would set your scene but allow more visual concentration where it should be, on your whimsical turning.

 

[Lionel Mercier]

hello all,

A big thank you for the interest that you bring to my question.

I take notice the "base" and yes, that seems more human, not just academic and indeed, the peebles, the hook...are a "mise en scène" (I don't know if my translation by staging is correct) and this is another point of the topic: what is all around the piece in order to emphasize them.

And yes, fewer peebles and some sand would be less distracting ...but actually I did it with the affordable studio you can see in the picture and
sand would be a domestic problem...🙄


I did have a look at the bases of Betty Scarpino, and indeed they look flowing in accord with the carried piece, They're part of this.
Some of Ron Gerton are just the sort of what I'm seeking for (roots , floating wood like, everything that would fit...) and those of Clay Foster are pieces in itself. All seems intended

I must confess, often, I display pieces that are the result of the outcome of an oportunity, or a necessity imposed to the first idea.
I think many others are in this situation.

when a base becomes necessary (I am not talking about situations where it was intended) by situation or by accident.
What does one do? What did you do ?
In order to not offend. In order it looks beautiful ... bearing in mind that what pleases one does not necessarily appeal to another.
Trying to make something beautiful.

I guess you'll answer: try and see...
does anyone have an example to display ?
Many thanks.

 

[Mark Mandell]

when a base becomes necessary (I am not talking about situations where it was intended) by situation or by accident.
What does one do? What did you do ? i guess you'll answer: try and see... does anyone have an example to display ? Many thanks.

Sorry, Lionel, all my woodturnings are free-standing and self-supporting. The only thing I do with bases (or tableaus 😀) are sculpture which would be impermissibly "OT (off topic)"

You've been given some good references in the turning world, take a look at Keith Thomkins' work as well.

Good luck on your journey.

mm

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

extra effort

I think Mark made some valid points. I do not feel qualified to comment on the question. The effort is what my comment is on. I can easily see the effort and theory on the dispalay being almost equivalent to the effort for the original piece in the cases you have shown. The thought process to arrive at a display that adds to the aesthetics of the original turned piece are beyond my concepts of turning. These would to me fall more in the realm of decorating (not the best term ,just all I had).
Some are gifted with these talents, but most of us are not and I salute you in your efforts and hope ypu get the answers you seek.