'Rocky' - a week in the woods
The craft skills associated with greenwood furniture making are known as 'Bodging'. It is how furniture was made in the woods of the UK for hundreds of years before the likes of Ikea.
This research project brought into focus differences in approach between designers and craftsmen working without electricity. It was important to remain flexible and adapt according to circumstances, designs had to remain fluid, working with the material rather than against it.
The craft skills associated with greenwood furniture making are known as 'Bodging'. It is how furniture was made in the woods of the UK for hundreds of years before the likes of Ikea. This research project brought into focus differences in approach between designers and craftsmen working without electricity. It was important to remain flexible and adapt according to circumstances, designs had to remain fluid, working with the material rather than against it. Terrible weather and lack of time to dry steam-bent wood, meant working with components as they were rather than how they intended to be. This is all part of the spirit of making in this way, as Amos explained;
'I normally design everything very accurately on the computer and then manufacture within fine tolerances. I was excited by the challenge of designing and making a comfortable chair more intuitively. With no flat or horizontal surfaces and a material that was very much still alive - the trees had only recently been felled - it was important to go with the flow.'
The project captured the interest of the industry inspiring many others and a renewing interest in furniture of this type. It also led to a series of other projects with the team taking on factory based challenges.
Curatorial direction from the Crafts Council, led Ed Vaizey to support our project, kindly displaying the collection for three months in his ministerial offices at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
Bodging Milano was also exhibited at the Bargehouse, Southbank, London and Harley Gallery, Worksop.
Team: Amos Marchant, Carl Clerkin, Chris Eckersley, Dave Green, Gareth Neal, Gitta Gschwendtner, Rory Dodd, Suzanne Barnes, and William Warren at Gudrun Leitz’ outdoor workshop in Clissett Wood, Herefordshire.