Macrotomy a process in science of taking slices through an object find out more about it.
This is Ash from a tree that originally had Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (Ash Die-Back) which opened the doors to other micro-organisms including fungi and bacteria who fed on the tree colouring it until we steam-bent the wood stopping the process. By steam-bending the wood we learn a lot about the tree - as we bend it by hand we ask 'what can you do?'
The final work shows in many ways how strong the wood felt in different parts. The straighter parts actually felt weaker suggesting a higher proportion of the lignin had been eaten there, so we had to make those parts the straighter parts of the design, to ensure there was no risk of them breaking. We added a single Oak support the to make sure the cantilever design was very robust and strong enough to last indefinitely.
Please note - We also have a limestone base for this work which was too heavy for the table it is on in the show, if you purchase this will be an option included.
Time to grow: c. 85 years
Time in workshop: 5 months
Material: Steam-Bent Ash
Size: 275cm x 200cm x 90cm