This
course is a workshop based experience, we will be practicing beside the bench
all the time and some introductions to the technical aspects will also be
received. The skill comes after the practice, so we need to have a go. By the
end of the week you will be able to take home three pine stools, woven with
three different materials and using three different patterns.
It
is a great opportunity for those who want an introduction to the handwoven
chair seats. One of the
stools will be woven with Paper Rush, in the right-angle pattern used on traditional
rush seats and the CH24 Wishbone chair, designed in 1950 by Hans J. Wegner. The
second stool will be woven with Danish cord in the over-and-under pattern again
by designer Hans J. Wegner on the Mǿller Chair #66 and others on the 1950's - 70'.
And the last stool will be woven with hardwearing seagrass in a checkerboard pattern, commonly
used in a lot of chair and stool seats in Europe.
Checkerboard,
right-angle, and under-over patterns and the techniques needed, can be learnt
on books or you tube but the most important knowledge you will leave with from
Marlborough this summer is how the material wants to be manipulated in each
pattern. The knowledge of a master weaver becomes essential at this point.
All
tools and materials will be supplied, you only have to bring your smile. It is
recommended to wear comfortable clothes; chair weaving is not especially dirty
but old clothes will make you be more comfortable. We will be at the workshop,
sandals are not a proper workshop shoe, a shoe that holds your feet in place
and covers it will be enough.
Monday
We will start with an introduction to
the tutor, and to the different technics and material that will be used in the
course. We will prepare the wooden stools as needed for the week and we will
start with the Paper Rush and the right-angle pattern.
Tuesday
We will look at styles of chair frame
designed for the Danish cord that we are using for the second stool and then we
will finish the first stool started on Monday.
Wednesday
We
will end the under-over pattern started on Tuesday with the Danish Cord for the
second stool.
Thursday
We
will have a go to the third stool, the checkerboard pattern made with seagrass.
Friday
First we will finish the last stool and before leaving we
will have time to discuss about the different patterns and the most repeated
doubts of the week will be commented again.