Rustnstuff: Book Wall

Showing posts with label Book Wall. Show all posts

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Restoration and preparation

As part of the January maintenance program I decided to put an extra layer on the book wall. We had quite a few books available for the job after I disassembled a book bench seat on the terraces and replaced it with a large timber bench. Fiona also finally agreed to let me use the stack of books outside the door at the shed-studio.

I found it interesting that the prolonged dry weather had resulted in the books shrinking. You can see from the first photo that the shrinkage has been about 5cm or one encyclopaedia in thickness. It took about 4-5 hours to do the restoration. The wall looks good again.

Whilst in Scotland I picked up a small section of stag antler. I wanted to see how it would work from a jewellery perspective. I cut the antler with a twisted blade - stronger and better cutting action. for bone and horn. I don't use power tools for cutting bone or horn or antler - too much dust and fumes. Still the work was done with a good mask on; and clean up of dust immediately after the cutting.

The antler proved to be quite dense and hard. I think I have cut enough to create two pendants and three pair of earrings - we will see. Took about 1.5 hours to saw these pieces.

Good end to the weekend to have the wall back in action before rain over night; and the antler is ready for play.

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Another book in the wall and other matters

I did walk this morning; and I did take some photos of the darkening winter light which I will share along with a gorgeous photo of rainbows reflections through the water in the kettle.

But first I thought I'd share a few photos of the ageing book wall. The book wall was created as a functional-art wall some 6 years ago. It was made in response to the number of hardcover books including year books, science books, coffee table books and encyclopaedias that were all being sent to the rubbish tip; and we needed a retaining wall.

When I made the wall I knew it was ephemeral and would need periodic top-ups. Recently I was given a full set of year books - some 50-60 books and a full set of encyclopaedias. This was on top of some boxes of books I had stored in the garden shed - other donations. I thought it was time to refresh the wall. You can see from the photos below it was in need of repair.

But with the addition of additional books the wall will look strong again - go course with its waves and wrinkles.

I spied a little pod amongst the leaf litter above the wall.

Some photos of this morning's light.

And that gorgeous rainbow light through the kettle.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Books on the Block - some images of changes over time

I started using books in some of my sculptural work in July 2010. The book stack below dates back to July 2010 - almost 7 years. It gets a bit of protection from overhanging foliage.

The book wall has been in place now since April 2013 - 4 years. It is the most exposed structure; and because we grow orchids in it and at it's base it gets a lot more water sprayed on it. Some images of some great textures and shapes.

The book seats on the terrace and in front of the organic between the mango trees were built in April 2015.

And the most recent Small Book Wall on the terrace was done in Feb 2017.

I love the way the books are ageing; and yet retaining much of their form after so many years. None of the books on the block have been treated or protected in any way.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Nature continues the work on the book wall

In late March I started the process of building The Book Wall (The Wall). In late April it was all but completed but had to pause because I had temporarily run out of books. The Wall is about 12m long and .7m high. The wall contains about 700-750 books - many are quite thick hardbacks.

Well within a week of doing that post I got another stash of books and so completed the wall in early May. So the wall has been in place for about 3 months now. After Fiona's dad had added some orchids; and we have had quite a bit of rain; and I backfilled the wall with Cyprus Pine chips (looks good and keeps termites away) - the wall is now looking established and 'lived in'.

So a good time to share some photos on the change process.

I expect that mould, moss, fungi and orchids will gradually change the structure and look of the wall - but I see that as nature adding to the beauty of this structure as the clear look of the books is replaced by the mystery of integration of the plant life and books - living books.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

And so the wall begins

In my previous post I indicated that over the weekend I started putting books into the book wall. As you can see from the photos below I had accumulated stacks and stacks of books.

The way the wall is being made is: threaded rods are cemented into the ground; anti white ant and other eating critter oil is applied to the soil; a layer of magazines are put down to create a reasonably even surface; the books are stacked to within 5-10cm of the top of the rod; a 5cm thick by 20cm wide board is placed on top of the books; a large rusted plate and washer go over the rod; a bolt is screwed on to compress the whole stack; and gravel covers the bottom layer.

The long layer of National Geographic magazines - dating from 1964 to the present - donated by elderly neighbours having a bit of a clean out.