Kinder Cuts: An Exercise in Carving and Community
Bunnell Street Arts Center, Homer AK
May 1 - 15, 2016
This project is inspired by Enkū, a 17th century monk who carved more than 100,000 sculptures from stumps, scraps, and firewood as he traveled around Japan on foot. While his work was certainly an expression of his faith, he was also driven by a desire to connect with those he met on his journey. Carving was Enkū’s way of offering whatever comfort he could during a tumultuous period, and he gave his sculptures away or left them behind as he traveled.
While I have long been influenced by Enkū’s technique and aesthetic, at Bunnell Street I will attempt to adopt something of his attitude. Carving is a strange thing: on one level, you’re attacking a defenseless object with a sharp tool, but on another, you’re investing time, energy, and patience in trying to see more clearly. I’m grateful for all that the practice has taught me about myself, but Enkū’s example now challenges me to look outwards, to try using carving as a way of expressing caring and nurturing community.
I will arrive in Homer with basic tools--but no designs and no materials. As I get to know the city and its residents, two interconnected paths will lead me towards new work. First, I will forage for carveable items during daily walks, carving some in situ and returning others to where I found them after carving them in the studio. My hope is that these small interventions will encourage awareness by rewarding those who notice them with a moment of delight or wonder.
Second, I will invite the community to bring in existing objects for me to alter, asking them to consider how carving on these objects might fill an emotional need, for instance: a burnt-out cook might enjoy a customized cutting board, a carved pencil might encourage a kid who has trouble in school, or an engraved fetch stick might memorialize a beloved dog.
I won’t limit myself to wood, but will tackle any material my tools and I can handle; soap is great for getting started on carving using only simple tools, so I will offer an all-levels workshop in which we create soap sculptures, then “release” them into neighborhood bathrooms. I will also take up a challenge laid down by Enku’s practice of creating tiny “chip Buddhas” from the offcuts left over from larger sculptures; I will minimize waste as I work, embrace ephemeral materials, and use the scraps from one work as the starting point for another.
May 1 - 15, 2016
This project is inspired by Enkū, a 17th century monk who carved more than 100,000 sculptures from stumps, scraps, and firewood as he traveled around Japan on foot. While his work was certainly an expression of his faith, he was also driven by a desire to connect with those he met on his journey. Carving was Enkū’s way of offering whatever comfort he could during a tumultuous period, and he gave his sculptures away or left them behind as he traveled.
While I have long been influenced by Enkū’s technique and aesthetic, at Bunnell Street I will attempt to adopt something of his attitude. Carving is a strange thing: on one level, you’re attacking a defenseless object with a sharp tool, but on another, you’re investing time, energy, and patience in trying to see more clearly. I’m grateful for all that the practice has taught me about myself, but Enkū’s example now challenges me to look outwards, to try using carving as a way of expressing caring and nurturing community.
I will arrive in Homer with basic tools--but no designs and no materials. As I get to know the city and its residents, two interconnected paths will lead me towards new work. First, I will forage for carveable items during daily walks, carving some in situ and returning others to where I found them after carving them in the studio. My hope is that these small interventions will encourage awareness by rewarding those who notice them with a moment of delight or wonder.
Second, I will invite the community to bring in existing objects for me to alter, asking them to consider how carving on these objects might fill an emotional need, for instance: a burnt-out cook might enjoy a customized cutting board, a carved pencil might encourage a kid who has trouble in school, or an engraved fetch stick might memorialize a beloved dog.
I won’t limit myself to wood, but will tackle any material my tools and I can handle; soap is great for getting started on carving using only simple tools, so I will offer an all-levels workshop in which we create soap sculptures, then “release” them into neighborhood bathrooms. I will also take up a challenge laid down by Enku’s practice of creating tiny “chip Buddhas” from the offcuts left over from larger sculptures; I will minimize waste as I work, embrace ephemeral materials, and use the scraps from one work as the starting point for another.
Events Schedule
All events will take place at the Bunnell Street Arts Center, 106 W Bunnell Ave; 907-235-2662.
Sunday 5/1, 5-6pm: Project Launch
Drop in to say hello, hear about the project, and perhaps bring in a wooden object for me to carve on.
Wednesday 5/4, 4-6pm: Carving Klatch
Calling all carvers! Do you spend a lot of time alone, attacking pieces of wood with pieces of metal? Let’s balance things out a little by getting together to hang out and work. Just bring along something you can work on by hand. Enjoy seeing what other carvers are up to, and maybe trade ideas, tips, or bits of wood! I'll provide some snacks, but feel free to bring anything you'd like to share.
Cost: free to Bunnell members, $10 suggested non-members
Saturday 5/7, 12-3pm: Carving Workshop
Are you curious about carving and fond of good clean fun? Come and learn the basics of working subtractively using a friendly and familiar material: soap! Just bring 1-2 small sharp knives such as an X-Acto or paring knife that are a comfortable fit for your hand. All other materials will be provided.
No age limit or experience required, but participants should be able to safely peel and chop a vegetable without supervision.
Cost: $10 members / $15 non-members
Wednesday 5/11, 4-6pm: Carving Klatch
Calling all carvers! Do you spend a lot of time alone, attacking pieces of wood with pieces of metal? Let’s balance things out a little by getting together to hang out and work. Just bring along something you can work on by hand. Enjoy seeing what other carvers are up to, and maybe trade ideas, tips, or bits of wood! I'll provide some snacks, but feel free to bring anything you'd like to share.
Cost: free to Bunnell members, $10 suggested non-members
Saturday 5/14, 4-6pm: Project Conclusion
Come by to hear how the project went. Check out images of all the work created during the residency and pick up any objects you may have left for carving.
Sunday 5/1, 5-6pm: Project Launch
Drop in to say hello, hear about the project, and perhaps bring in a wooden object for me to carve on.
Wednesday 5/4, 4-6pm: Carving Klatch
Calling all carvers! Do you spend a lot of time alone, attacking pieces of wood with pieces of metal? Let’s balance things out a little by getting together to hang out and work. Just bring along something you can work on by hand. Enjoy seeing what other carvers are up to, and maybe trade ideas, tips, or bits of wood! I'll provide some snacks, but feel free to bring anything you'd like to share.
Cost: free to Bunnell members, $10 suggested non-members
Saturday 5/7, 12-3pm: Carving Workshop
Are you curious about carving and fond of good clean fun? Come and learn the basics of working subtractively using a friendly and familiar material: soap! Just bring 1-2 small sharp knives such as an X-Acto or paring knife that are a comfortable fit for your hand. All other materials will be provided.
No age limit or experience required, but participants should be able to safely peel and chop a vegetable without supervision.
Cost: $10 members / $15 non-members
Wednesday 5/11, 4-6pm: Carving Klatch
Calling all carvers! Do you spend a lot of time alone, attacking pieces of wood with pieces of metal? Let’s balance things out a little by getting together to hang out and work. Just bring along something you can work on by hand. Enjoy seeing what other carvers are up to, and maybe trade ideas, tips, or bits of wood! I'll provide some snacks, but feel free to bring anything you'd like to share.
Cost: free to Bunnell members, $10 suggested non-members
Saturday 5/14, 4-6pm: Project Conclusion
Come by to hear how the project went. Check out images of all the work created during the residency and pick up any objects you may have left for carving.
What I did
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What I made
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