SOLD
600.00USDto floor+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2015 Jun 26 @ 20:41UTC-4 : AST/EDT
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A full invoice should be emailed to the winner by the auctioneer within a day or two.
All items in this auction were created, at least in part, on the wood lathe, with wood as the primary material. All are one-of-a-kind signed originals, individually created by the artist listed.
Lot # 275
Scherk Tower IV
Red Maple
9" x 5" x 5"
Michael Foster
Vermont, United States
I am a dentist by profession, but have been a passionate woodturner for over 25 years now. In my earlier years I turned the utilitarian objects one thinks of as products of this craft like bowls, boxes etc. As my turning skills increased, I started experimenting with more ornamental turning. For a number of years I devoted most of my turning energies in a specialized branch of woodturning that has been given the name of segmented woodturning. While I found this form of woodturning interesting, ultimately I found it limiting. I wanted to create more sculptural objects. Over the past decade I have found my voice in creating objects that reflect my interests and my desire to create more sculptural work.
I have long had a passionate interest in the sciences, and by default, the math that underpins the science. My interests range from astrophysics and astronomy to quantum mechanics and string theory; from environmental science to microbiology and genetics. I have to admit that I just do not have the time and energy to devote to learning the math behind the science. I have a basic understanding of some math, but not enough to follow the convolutions of M Theory or the intricacies of minimal surfaces. Instead, I rely upon the gracious scientists who write books intended for the lay person. Though there is usually very little true math, the authors are adept enough to give an idea to the lay person the ideas being investigated using words in place of the more comprehensive math.
I am always intrigued when I come across something in the natural world that is the expression of a mathematical idea. The Fibonacci series of numbers is one of the ideas that truly intrigues me and I have explored it in many of my works of art. I am constantly coming across examples of the patterns it generates in the natural world around me. I am also inspired by fractals and how they can be expressed in nature. I find this is a more challenging idea to express in my art, but have a keen interest in it. I have found the structure of diatoms and radiolaria (or more appropriately their silica skeletons) and have been quite surprised how often a regular pattern is found. One such diatom that inspired one of my works was actually a Buckyball (truncated icosahedron), though a little more complex as it had more hexagons in its structure than the simple truncated icosahedron.
Lately I have been intrigued by the work of mathematicians and the results of their work which can be expressed visually. The internet has been key to my exploration of math art. I am not a math academic or privy to the world they inhabit. Certainly the work was out there and available, but one had to know of its existence enough to even seek it out. Now, with the internet, such exploration is so much easier and I find myself finding new forms and structures at the touch of a mouse. Mathematicians have also been generous to folks like me in providing programs that allow us to manipulate variables and generate 3D forms that I would have no chance arriving at using math alone.
I do not restrict my art to absolute representations of math, but math generally creeps into my work in some form. It may often be subtle, but I believe the subtle expression of mathematical ideas often adds a bit of order and enhances the beauty of my work.
Auction Location:
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222, United States
Previewing Details:
All EOG auction items will be available for on-site viewing beginning June 25 at the David L Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Remote bidding on-line is open. The live auction is June 26 starting at 7:30PM EDT. You must be pre-registered to bid online.
State and local sales tax of 7% will be collected on all winning bids.
Buyer's Premiums:
From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
0.00 |
Infinite |
0% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
SHIPPING: After the purchase price has been paid in full and after the sale has been completed, property must be removed from the auction at the Buyer’s expense. The American Association of Woodturners will, as a service to Buyers, arrange to have the property packed, insured, and shipped via UPS at the request, expense and entire risk of the Buyer. Any claims will be between carrier and Buyer.
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1. NO WARRANTY: ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS, WHERE IS, WITHOUT GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND. The descriptions of items appearing in advertising prior to this auction are believed to be correct. Nevertheless, neither those descriptions nor any oral statements made by the Artist or the American Association of Woodturners concerning any item shall be construed as a warranty, either expressed or implied. It is the bidder’s responsibility to determine condition, genuineness, value and other attributes of the property. Bidders who bid from off-site and are not present at the live auction understand and acknowledge that they may not be able to inspect an item as well as if they examined it in person.
2. DISPUTES: The American Association of Woodturners shall designate the winning bidder after each item is auctioned. If a dispute arises between two or more bidders, the American Association of Woodturners reserves the right to reopen bidding. The American Association of Woodturner's designation of a buyer shall be final.
3. BIDDING & PRE-BIDDING: The American Association of Woodturners is providing internet and live bidding as a service to bidders. Bidders acknowledge and understand that this service may or may not function correctly the day of the auction. Under no circumstances shall a bidder have any claim against the American Association of Woodturners or anyone else if the internet service fails to operate correctly before or during the live auction.
4. The American Association of Woodturners has the right to accept or deny bidders from attending their auctions, both in person and online.
5. Online bidders agree and understand that they will not be invoiced and may not be able to pay until the entire, onsite auction is over. All purchases will be charged to your credit card immediately following the auction. Any other payment arrangement must be arranged and approved by the American Association of Woodturners a minimum of 48 hours prior to the auction.
6. The American Association of Woodturners makes no representations whatsoever that the Buyer of a work of art will acquire any reproductions rights thereto.
I have read the bidder terms and conditions and hereby agree to the above terms and conditions of the auction.