some progress on woven steel structure+ a construction delay

I started working on the woven steel structure for the new top secret space. I was planning to create some elements of the form in the studio using the column in my space as a guide, but then I was going to set up shop in their space and build out the rest of the form. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately they hit a delay on their end so the actual install is temporarily pushed back another week or so. This is great for me since I have some prep work to do for the city gallery piece and I actually have some applications and proposal deadlines I need to knock out. As well I will be moving out of this studio on June 1st. I have toyed with the idea before of having an open studio/closing studio event back in December when I thought I was losing my space forcibly, but now I will probably have some sort of event/opening/closing reception yard sale. I would like to mark the end of this studio, since the last two years have been a significant period of growth for me artistically and much of it was fueled by time spent both in this studio and in residencies and working on other sites, but always grounded by knowing i would return to this space.

This is how i got started. I began by just seeing if the same tensile weaving i use for the 7" coffee stirrers would work for 5-10 foot strips of 1/8"x3/4" strips of ribbon stock steel. the answer is yes of course.

next i began forming them into a more basket like structure allowing it to form around the column. Ultimately the piece will be more of an organic woven form engaging directly with the space i will install it in.

At this point I intend to keep weaving the structure through the column and into the actual installation space. This would have been the day that I set up my tools on site and began that process but like I said earlier I am on hold with it until next week. I don't mind being patient with this one as I think the pay off will be worth it to see the tensile weaving of the stir sticks translated to a heavier stronger material, I already translated the process to some acrylic strips which has been very satisfying and might be the beginning of some more plastic work. Either way this method of working directly with my materials continues to help me focus and prepare for the city gallery install, if you want to see more about the city gallery show go here
http://www.contemporarycharleston.com
Once the show opens in May there will be a catalog and dvd available for purchase from the gallery.