Wilford Bickel said:
One thing I would like to point out is that the AAW is governed by a set of Bylaws (a copy is in your Resource Directory). The following is stated:
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Article II Purposes
The Association's purpose is to foster a wider understanding and appreciation of lathe-turning as a traditional and contemporary craft and a form of art among the general public, hobbyist turners, part-time turners, and professional turners.
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With the above stated purpose designated by the bylaws - is the Association in compliance with the bylaws when they put on demos, print articles, etc. on carving, burning, painting, etc? This has been one of the best discussions on this topic and I would really like to know your opinion as to whether the bylaws allow the Association to promote woodworking with the wood not turning on a lathe. If not, is it time to amend the bylaws to include these activities or should the Association follow the bylaws as written. I look forward to the discussion!
Wilford
In MY opinion, EITHER we have to accept the fact that wood turning is not now (nor never really has been) a pure form... or allow for enhancements.
Once you use a stain, for instance, you have eliminated the "pure form." If it was/is OK to compile pieces of wood to turn (segmenting?) and or to use stain (or paint, I mean REALLY, laminations, milk paints etc., have been used for CENTURIES on what are clearly turnings), then where do you draw the line? My guess it is at your own comfort zone.
There are pieces that (to me) have no relation to turning in the "pure" sense that I still find quite attractive, that I still admire and still ask the question "HOW DID HE DO THAT???" By the same token, there are pieces that I see that had, at least, been near a lathe that I just don't "get," don't like. That's the "art" part. If they have a PRIMARY turned element, then IMHO they could/should be considered as turnings.
Besides, what is the problem with knowledge? AND, if we boiled down the articles and demos to JUST PURE WOODTURNING, how long would it be before we start repeating ourselves? How soon before many of us would become bored? Even those who would then have nothing to complain about or rail against would become bored.
If ANY finish is an acceptable application, then who gets to say which "improvements," aesthetic enhancements, techniques are NOT acceptable and why?
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