Gort News.
cardboard
August 28, 2010
Here are a few more prototypes for the new body of work I'm creating that explores the use of temporary forms and materials. These low side tables are meant to look like cardboard boxes. The first is a bankers box and the second has a lid made to look like folded cardboard. Constructed using solid wood and traditional joinery they blend fine craft and industrial design - elevating forms that are typically used to contain more treasured items into enduring pieces that can stand on their own.
urban dog stick
July 20, 2010
I'm fooling around with some different product designs - my latest prototype is the urban dog stick - sort of a slick accessory for the urban hipster dog owner. It's a commentary on the disconnectedness of people with nature and the appalling lack of good sticks in the inner city. It comes in different sizes and will look as good on the way to the park as in the park.
canadian design resource
June 19, 2010
I finally made it on to the Canadian Design Resource - the go to site for new and vintage design in Canada.
My pallet table was posted in the furniture section on June 10th.
http://www.canadiandesignresource.ca/officialgallery/category/furniture/
canadian plywood
June 12, 2010
I was in Toronto in May and picked up some fine examples of vintage Canadian plywood down on Queen East. I'm happy to have them safely up here in our little house in the Yukon.
A pair of chairs made by the Canadian Wooden Aircraft Company in Stratford, Ontario - Designed in 1946 - They have a sort of champagne finish not sure if it's original or not - I suspect not.
And a pair of Dodd's stacking chairs made by Aero Marine Industries in Oakville, Ontario - Designed in 1952 by Hugh Dodds.
Both companies made wooden aircraft components during the war and transitioned to furniture after. Just as cool as anything those Eames characters came up with....
tips for modern shop living
April 4, 2010
I just came across Gord Peteran's top ten shop rules and they made me chuckle - Here they are (without permission hopefully that's ok) from his exhibition catalog Furniture Meets Its Maker:
Always error on the side of ridiculous.
If something's not worth doing, it's worth not doing well.
If something's not worth doing well, it might be worth doing perfectly.
Charge a lot of money.
The source of creativity is a short attention span.
Procrastination is good, because panic, confusion, sweat, danger, lying to clients, not eating, not sleeping and riding on credit builds character.
Learn to shut up.
Burn all mistakes thoroughly.
Medically speaking, your head is connected to your ass.
Plan on going to hell.
Never hire someone capable of emotions.
What people say is quite often a clue to what they're thinking.
the dutch do it again
February 14, 2010
These are probably the nicest outfits at the Winter Games - designed by Vancouver artist Alano Edzerza. Now if I could only find somewhere to buy them?
pecha kucha
February 6, 2010
The inaugural Pecha Kucha night is happening today in Whitehorse - I'll be presenting a few of my thoughts on 'Canadian Furniture Design and Burls' should be interesting. Here's an example of my new favorite Canadian designer Russell Spanner....
And a few links to learn more about Canadian design:
http://www.dx.org/
http://www.canadiandesignresource.ca/officialgallery/
art of craft
January 10, 2010
I just returned from the opening of Art of Craft at the Museum of Vancouver. Check it our if you're in Vancouver for the Olympics.
Here are a few pictures...
Thanks to the Yukon Government Touring Artist Fund for making the trip possible.
small parts division
December 28, 2009
Gort Fine Woodworking is pleased to announce the addition of a Senior Manager in our 'Small Parts Division'. He was born on Christmas eve but is quickly getting up to speed.
Stellan Mark Williams Gort
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
bright lights big city
November 12, 2009
I just put my pallet table in a crate and sent it down to Vancouver. It was juried into the By Hand: BC and Yukon exhibition opening in January at the Museum of Vancouver. The show put on by the BC Craft Council will run during the Olympics and feature fine craft in ceramics, glass, metal, fibre, wood and mixed media.
The details should be posted soon:
Maybe the Olympics aren't so bad after all....