In the first two days at Purchase, Jason and Brian experimented with steaming/bolting and torching stacked cardboard, experimenting with techniques outside of their comfort zones. On Tuesday, they had an idea-generating session and came up with a coffee table design. It did not use any of their discoveries from earlier experiments but was a nice mixture of their individual aesthetics.
The table in the images will still need finishing and will also need to be assembled (it is only propped up in the photos.) The one side of the table is shaped and filled with plaster. The other side is shaped and treated with a chainsaw texture. The surface height of the table is jogged from the plaster forms to the chainsaw forms. The body of the table is resting on solid walnut crosspieces that have been ebonized. The table will be finished with a clear matte lacquer.
While at Purchase, Jason did a lecture for the wood students and a demonstration on turning cardboard to the wood turning class. As for the table, it will be shown in June or July in an exhibit at SUNY Purchase College. The show will be all about Brian’s time at Purchase. After the show the table will belong to the college.
Jason Schneider is the studio coordinator in the Wood program at Anderson Ranch. He received his MFA in furniture design from San Diego State University. He exhibits his work nationally.
Brian Gladwell is a Canadian furniture maker who also works with corrugated cardboard. He has been at Purchase all semester long as a visiting artist in the wood department.
