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Sunday, October 2, 2011

From lids to leaf litter

Over the weekend I started a longer term project which entails making at least 250 leaves out of anodised aluminium. The leaves will be made from found, salvaged or gifted anodised aluminium lids from saucepans that were very popular in the 50s-60s.  I will also use the anodised aluminium from storage canisters, baking dishes and serving trays as lids are not always easy to find.

Most of the lids in the photo below were bought from a rubbish tip recycling shop for a couple of dollars for the lot. There are a couple gifted to me by Kim and Jeff. Fiona said the photo reminded her of buttons. Not sure if there will be any blue leaves.

Barry Smith © Leaf material - anodised aluminium lids etc
I cut up four lids and also used some of the green metal left over from a canister to make the 25 leaves below - 10% of the way.

Barry Smith © New leaf litter - anodised aluminium
Barry Smith © Leaf litter - old and new - anodised aluminium
Barry Smith © Leaf litter - detail - anodised aluminium
I had some leaves left over from an early stash I started on so in all I have about 50-60 leaves made. Will keep you posted as the stash grows. I will need to collect quite a number more lids etc for this project.
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18 comments:

  1. Mieke van SambeeckOctober 2, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    It's amazing to see what you can do with recycled materials, the colours work realy wel for these leaves. Keep it up and you reach your goal in no time. Hope you enjoy making the last leave as much as you do the first one!

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  2. Anna MavromatisOctober 2, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    A ready [man]made autumn "scene" for my part of the world...: Beautiful!

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  3. mairedoddOctober 2, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    it really is an intriguing project... and so amazing how they are beginning to resemble the covering that will soon hide the ground in my part of the world... your mastery of this form is so evident in the variety with which you are able to create...

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  4. ValeriannaOctober 2, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    Beautiful... and, of course I'm partial to the leaves since I have one sitting on my desk speaking to me daily!

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  5. Luthien ThyeOctober 3, 2011 at 12:03 AM

    wow!! just like magic!! and perfect autumn colors!!

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  6. Velma BolyardOctober 3, 2011 at 2:44 AM

    leaves, leaves, leaves. in abundance. in beauty.

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  7. Jo MurrayOctober 3, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    I feel like getting on my wellies and kicking my way through these Barry... no offence.

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  8. layersOctober 3, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    I have never seen these sort of colored pot lids.. I wonder if they are an Australian thing.. colored pot lids! anyway, they certainly transformed into wonderful autumn leaves.

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  9. Kim SchoenbergerOctober 3, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    All the different coloured lids look great together B. I will keep my eyes peeled for more lids!

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  10. SooZeQueOctober 3, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Wow, Wow, Wow. Pls come to Arizona and give me some lessons on creating these beauties! Free room and board of course for you and Fiona! There just stunning!

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  11. PennyOctober 3, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    Not sure how economic would be for me to look and get and send to you, just wish I knew how to make them.

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  12. stregataOctober 3, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    The leaves continue to amaze me, Barry. Each one different and so very natural looking. I am looking forward to seeing all 250 of them together...

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  13. BarryOctober 3, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    M, AM, MD, VA, L, V, JM, D, K, SZQ, P & S - really pleased that the lids and leaves resonated with you and thanks for your support as I continuing creating the autumn stash. I am also looking forward to the clutter and abundance of so many leaves covering the space so that there is nothing but the texture and colour of leaves - just like it is becoming on the other side of the globe. D - amazing - I thought that these lids were everywhere. SZQ - you may be surprised that one day we will pop up in Arizona and want to exchange leaf making techniques for handheld plasma cutter techniques. You are welcome to join us on the mountain. P - maybe we need to discuss the lids - I have work in Adelaide in about 4 weeks time. S - I think 250 leaves are going to look very cool. All - go well and create well. B

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  14. Cynthia MonicaOctober 4, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    Will you create a giant size plant sculpture with your 250 leaves? Each one an amazing piece of art in itself....

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  15. GabriellaOctober 4, 2011 at 3:19 AM

    Unbelievable transformation!

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  16. LeoviOctober 4, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    Precious those leaves, I love them. I also like the photo of the tapas, excellent composition, reminds me of my series of photos. I leave the link below. Greetings.

    http://lafotografiaefectistaabstracta.blogspot.com/search/label/2011%20Serie%20AD%20%28Digital%2010%20mpx%29

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  17. CarolOctober 4, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    Beautiful leaves, Barry. Just love the anodised colours. Just back from one destination and off to another today. This time I'm taking the first of the leaves to be gifted.

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  18. BarryOctober 4, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    CM, TT, L & C - thanks for comments. CM - guess we will all have to wait and see? TT - I like that part of recycling. L - visited your series of photos - yes both tend to share a similar compositional link. C - hope your friends smile when you give your gifts. Go well. B

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Comments are welcomed - it is good to connect with fellow travellers.