I hear or read something similar to the subject sentence all the time
and I wonder if it it says something about us. When I behold a gorgeous
sunset or a lovely woman my appreciation isn't enhanced by knowing how
they were made. A need to know about fusion of atomic nuclei or fusion
of sperm and egg adds nothing to my pleasure and probably detracts from
it.

People who have no idea of how turnings are made probably are able to
see them as pure objects of beauty better than turners can. No matter at
what level, all woodturners are craftsmen. Objects of art aren't
begotten, they must be made and we are properly concerned with "how did
you make it?". After all, rcw's middle name is 'crafts'. I just wonder
if the "Wow" has to do with a turner's appreciation of inherent beauty
or is it in awe of outstanding craft.

Some of you think that time spent wondering is time wasted, but I don't.
Anyway, when we see a wonderful turning, we want to know how it was
made. I just wonder if laymen are able to appreciate it better than we
turners can?


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 10:10:24 -0500, (Arch) wrote:



Some of you think that time spent wondering is time wasted, but I don't.
Anyway, when we see a wonderful turning, we want to know how it was
made. I just wonder if laymen are able to appreciate it better than we
turners can?

it depends, I guess on the mindset. I know I turn partly because I am
awed by what can come out of a piece of wood, in shape, size, color,
grain...etc...and I can stand back and see the beauty or interest in a
turned piece as well as any layman...and then ADD my appreciation of
how hard it was to create. (and remember, some laymen's first question
is "what is it GOOD for?" ....*grin *)...and a few even ask "how did
you do that?"

"Arch" wrote in message

I just wonder
if the "Wow" has to do with a turner's appreciation of inherent beauty
or is it in awe of outstanding craft.

A little of both, I think, Arch. I've always appreciated beautiful wooden
boats, and I can't honestly say if my impressions of wonderment are more for
the aesthetics of the craft or for the skill of the craftsmen who built
them. A mixture of the two, I suspect.

Some of you think that time spent wondering is time wasted, but I don't.

While not relevant, perhaps, to what we do, it is an integral part of the
inquisitiveness of the human mind.

Anyway, when we see a wonderful turning, we want to know how it was
made. I just wonder if laymen are able to appreciate it better than we
turners can?

As a beginning turner, I've turned very few objects of which I can be proud.
I tend to give these as gifts, mostly because I want my friends and family
to have the best I've created. But often, while showing people my lathe and
workshop, they see the lesser pieces sitting on shelves or on the floor in
the corner. And these items often bring the same queries of wonderment that
my best pieces do. This is always a surprise to me, as the differences are
readily apparent in my perception. So to answer your question, it's my
opinion that our knowledge and experience tend to allow us to better
appreciate the differences between an exquisite piece and just a very nice
one.

I recall attending a motorcycle show in Chicago, where lay people were
gathered around and "ooohing" and "aahing" a custom Harley Davidson with
gaudy paint, while totally ignoring an absolutely pristine Vincent Black
Shadow in the next display. Motorcyclists, OTOH, drooled on the floor in
front of the Vincent.

Max

"Arch" skrev i melding
...
I hear or read something similar to the subject sentence all the time
and I wonder if it it says something about us. When I behold a gorgeous
sunset or a lovely woman my appreciation isn't enhanced by knowing how
they were made. A need to know about fusion of atomic nuclei or fusion
of sperm and egg adds nothing to my pleasure and probably detracts from
it.

People who have no idea of how turnings are made probably are able to
see them as pure objects of beauty better than turners can. No matter at
what level, all woodturners are craftsmen. Objects of art aren't
begotten, they must be made and we are properly concerned with "how did
you make it?". After all, rcw's middle name is 'crafts'. I just wonder
if the "Wow" has to do with a turner's appreciation of inherent beauty
or is it in awe of outstanding craft.

I think that there is a difference of perception between the laymen,
those who do not know the "craft" piece, and the craftsman who "knows".

I had some education in film and filmproduction in my younger days, and
that did for ever spoil the fun of film as entertainment for me: Anything
strange or new or difficult in the production technology, and I lost track
of the story, to muse on "wow, that's a great trick; how'd they do it?"

So, quite often, when I se what ought to be a good movie, I long for the
"good old days", when a movie was just a movie.

I think maybe artist between them have the same problem: analyzing the other
artist's mode of work or use of motif or use of colour tends to get in the
way
of pure artistic experience; if there exists such an animal.

Some of you think that time spent wondering is time wasted, but I don't.
Anyway, when we see a wonderful turning, we want to know how it was
made. I just wonder if laymen are able to appreciate it better than we
turners can?

I am quite sure that wondering about how things are made is one of the
things that separate us from the animals:-)
Only, when you _don't_ know the how of it, you are more free to fantasize,
and that is often a better _feeling_ than the musings of "how".
But I think I would choose the "how" any day, anyhow.

I think?

Bjarte

Arch wrote:
I hear or read something similar to the subject sentence all the time
and I wonder if it it says something about us. When I behold a gorgeous
sunset or a lovely woman my appreciation isn't enhanced by knowing how
they were made. A need to know about fusion of atomic nuclei or fusion
of sperm and egg adds nothing to my pleasure and probably detracts from
it.

People who have no idea of how turnings are made probably are able to
see them as pure objects of beauty better than turners can. No matter at
what level, all woodturners are craftsmen. Objects of art aren't
begotten, they must be made and we are properly concerned with "how did
you make it?". After all, rcw's middle name is 'crafts'. I just wonder
if the "Wow" has to do with a turner's appreciation of inherent beauty
or is it in awe of outstanding craft.

Some of you think that time spent wondering is time wasted, but I don't.
Anyway, when we see a wonderful turning, we want to know how it was
made. I just wonder if laymen are able to appreciate it better than we
turners can?


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Have you noticed the difference gender makes in the first
question asked? Women often ask "What kind of wood is that?"
while men are more interested in the mechanics, "How did you
do that?".

--
Gerald Ross
Cochran, GA

Love means never having to say 'Put
down that chainsaw'






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Reminds me of a time many years ago my wife and I were in Florida with my
parents on vacation. It was their first time in your beautiful state. We
were in a gift shop. My mother was admiring the beautiful seashells on
display and wondering aloud about how "they made them?" God Rest Her Soul!

Barry


"Arch" wrote in message
...
I hear or read something similar to the subject sentence all the time
and I wonder if it it says something about us. When I behold a gorgeous
sunset or a lovely woman my appreciation isn't enhanced by knowing how
they were made. A need to know about fusion of atomic nuclei or fusion
of sperm and egg adds nothing to my pleasure and probably detracts from
it.

People who have no idea of how turnings are made probably are able to
see them as pure objects of beauty better than turners can. No matter at
what level, all woodturners are craftsmen. Objects of art aren't
begotten, they must be made and we are properly concerned with "how did
you make it?". After all, rcw's middle name is 'crafts'. I just wonder
if the "Wow" has to do with a turner's appreciation of inherent beauty
or is it in awe of outstanding craft.

Some of you think that time spent wondering is time wasted, but I don't.
Anyway, when we see a wonderful turning, we want to know how it was
made. I just wonder if laymen are able to appreciate it better than we
turners can?


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 10:10:24 -0500, (Arch) wrote:

I hear or read something similar to the subject sentence all the time
and I wonder if it it says something about us. When I behold a gorgeous
sunset or a lovely woman my appreciation isn't enhanced by knowing how
they were made. A need to know about fusion of atomic nuclei or fusion
of sperm and egg adds nothing to my pleasure and probably detracts from
it.

People who have no idea of how turnings are made probably are able to
see them as pure objects of beauty better than turners can. No matter at
what level, all woodturners are craftsmen. Objects of art aren't
begotten, they must be made and we are properly concerned with "how did
you make it?". After all, rcw's middle name is 'crafts'. I just wonder
if the "Wow" has to do with a turner's appreciation of inherent beauty
or is it in awe of outstanding craft.

Some of you think that time spent wondering is time wasted, but I don't.
Anyway, when we see a wonderful turning, we want to know how it was
made. I just wonder if laymen are able to appreciate it better than we
turners can?


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Things that we do and take for granted are mysteries in the eyes of
those that don't partake...

I was turning a box this morning,had just fitted the box to the lid
for sanding, when a neighbor came by and said "that's really terrific!
Can you make them square, too?"

I told her "not yet, but I'll let you know when I learn".. damned if I
could think of anything else to tell her..

I really appreciate when an artist from another medium likes my work.
They generally aren't interested in "how" except the basics because
they are not familiar with woodturning.

Where I work, the "artists" among us host an employee art show about
once a year. We have all types come out to display their work: oil
painters, water colors, doll makers, jewelry, pottery, photography,
quilting, etc. I find real inspiration in their textures, colors and
patterns. They seem to like my work. I have started some
collaboration with a ceramic artist as a result ans we have traded
pieces.

At the last show, I received the "people's choice" award for a 4-piece
nested set of maple burl with natural edge bowls. Not many people were
concerned about how I made it.

Joe Fleming - San Diego

I was at a show and person after person were asking me how I turned a natural
edge bowl, but not buying any. Finally a guy asked me, and I said, "I tell
every customer how I do it." He bought it, and I told him how I turned it.
Glenn Hodges
Nashville, Ga

"Gerald Ross" wrote in message
...
Arch wrote:
I hear or read something similar to the subject sentence all the time
and I wonder if it it says something about us.


Have you noticed the difference gender makes in the first
question asked? Women often ask "What kind of wood is that?"
while men are more interested in the mechanics, "How did you
do that?".


Kids are visiting for Christmas, with my new twin grandsons. My DiL said
she bought a book of comebacks for all the people who come up and say "are
they twins?" Son says he's tired of answering the "must keep you busy"
questions.

I maintain they are merely openers, not real questions. What they really
want to say, which is "may I touch them," or something similar, seems
inappropriate, so they do the best the can to open the conversation.

Questions like how, or what - gender makes a difference in spite of NOW -
are similar openers, IMO.

I told some ladies at work about my passion of woodturning and explained in
detail exactly what it was (or, so I thought). I somewhat proudly told them
that I had a Stubby 750 ordered. "Oh, great, when you get it you can make
us a new picnic table for outside!" I could only stammer, "Well, I'm going
to be pretty busy for several months catching up with back orders!" What
can you say?

Barry



"mac davis" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 10:10:24 -0500, (Arch) wrote:

I hear or read something similar to the subject sentence all the time
and I wonder if it it says something about us. When I behold a gorgeous
sunset or a lovely woman my appreciation isn't enhanced by knowing how
they were made. A need to know about fusion of atomic nuclei or fusion
of sperm and egg adds nothing to my pleasure and probably detracts from
it.

People who have no idea of how turnings are made probably are able to
see them as pure objects of beauty better than turners can. No matter at
what level, all woodturners are craftsmen. Objects of art aren't
begotten, they must be made and we are properly concerned with "how did
you make it?". After all, rcw's middle name is 'crafts'. I just wonder
if the "Wow" has to do with a turner's appreciation of inherent beauty
or is it in awe of outstanding craft.

Some of you think that time spent wondering is time wasted, but I don't.
Anyway, when we see a wonderful turning, we want to know how it was
made. I just wonder if laymen are able to appreciate it better than we
turners can?


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Things that we do and take for granted are mysteries in the eyes of
those that don't partake...

I was turning a box this morning,had just fitted the box to the lid
for sanding, when a neighbor came by and said "that's really terrific!
Can you make them square, too?"

I told her "not yet, but I'll let you know when I learn".. damned if I
could think of anything else to tell her..

Anyway, when we see a wonderful turning, we want to know how it was
made. I just wonder if laymen are able to appreciate it better than we
turners can?

Besides being a turner, I'm also a hack, self-taught guitar player. I find
when I sit down to figure out how to play a tune I like, if I figure it out,
the tune loses a bit of its luster for me. Once you've solved the puzzle of
its magic, it doesn't seem so special anymore. On the other hand, if I
can't figure it out, or when I hear something I know I couldn't possibly
play for lack of skill or commitment, I think I appreciate the thing more
than a layperson can. I think woodworking/turning is exactly the same way.

In any case, to answer the "Wow..." question, I say either:

1. "A magician never reveals his secrets", which I think is a dead on
response.

or my favorite,

2. "A log, a rocking chair, a dull spoon, and lots of time." For those who
peddle their turnings from booths at arts & crafts shows, I recommend that
one. In fact, bring with you a log with a few chips hewn off with an axe,
the chips and a pile more from your lathe, and an old spoon. Pour the chips
into a pile in your booth, rest the log on top of the pile, and the spoon on
top of the log as a faux work-in-progress, and don't refer to your pieces at
"turnings". That should impress the laypeople and make your work seem well
worth the price.

--Steve

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 19:23:57 GMT, "s.bernstein"
wrote:


Anyway, when we see a wonderful turning, we want to know how it was
made. I just wonder if laymen are able to appreciate it better than we
turners can?

Besides being a turner, I'm also a hack, self-taught guitar player. I find
when I sit down to figure out how to play a tune I like, if I figure it out,
the tune loses a bit of its luster for me. Once you've solved the puzzle of
its magic, it doesn't seem so special anymore. On the other hand, if I
can't figure it out, or when I hear something I know I couldn't possibly
play for lack of skill or commitment, I think I appreciate the thing more
than a layperson can. I think woodworking/turning is exactly the same way.

In any case, to answer the "Wow..." question, I say either:

1. "A magician never reveals his secrets", which I think is a dead on
response.

or my favorite,

2. "A log, a rocking chair, a dull spoon, and lots of time." For those who
peddle their turnings from booths at arts & crafts shows, I recommend that
one. In fact, bring with you a log with a few chips hewn off with an axe,
the chips and a pile more from your lathe, and an old spoon. Pour the chips
into a pile in your booth, rest the log on top of the pile, and the spoon on
top of the log as a faux work-in-progress, and don't refer to your pieces at
"turnings". That should impress the laypeople and make your work seem well
worth the price.

--Steve

I still like "If I tell you, I have to kill you"..