Description
Register at: Mesa Arts Center
Jayne Redman is known for her unusual way of working with metal in three dimensions, often using multiples of the same shape to convey a single idea. Using nature as her inspiration she considers combinations of form and function, integrating mechanics with design and applying innovative engineering methods. How petals are attached to each other can generate an idea for an assembly process. Studying the curve of a leaf can lead to a new forming technique. The graceful bend of a flower stem can become an ear wire design. Jayne has developed many ways of making exact duplicates of her designs, inventing tools and processes for multiples. She will be sharing her unique engineering and assembly concepts and work with each student to design their own individual pieces.
In this workshop you will learn three ways of die forming that will allow you to reproduce your designs quickly and accurately. With the use of a hydraulic press you will be able to easily shape and cut metal to your specifications.
– Silhouette dies allow you to make rounded relief forms in metal. You will be sawing out a shape in a sheet of cast acrylic and pressing metal into the resulting cavity. Turning the die over and pressing from the opposite side will result in a mirror image. The addition of molding in thermal reactive plastic quickly creates dimension and variation in your relief form.
– Carving contour, or non-conforming, dies in thick cast acrylic allows for complexity and detail. You will carve reverse relief shapes with specialized burs and a flex shaft then press metal into the die to duplicate your carving. Both methods of forming can be further enhanced with chasing and repoussé.
– Self-registering, one piece blanking dies give you the ability to quickly cut out the shapes you conceive. Whether you are working with die formed pieces or flat sheet that is used for another process, you will be amazed at how easily you can go from original idea to duplicated shape as you make and use your own dies during class.
