SSW were delighted to be part of the ‘Out of the Earth’ – Streaming Turf to Tools event by Dot.rural Digital Economy Hub as part of the ‘Being Human’ festival at Aberdeen University. The event was a viewing of the From Turf to Tools project facilitated, which took place in August of this year in Lumsden. From Turf to Tools is an ongoing enquiry that looks to our natural resources, material and landscape. During August 2014, this enquiry led to the recreation […]
During the two-week intense practical application of creating a successful iron smelt using information from Pictish archaeological findings, Darrell Markewitz and SSW technician ran three smelts, with the final smelt being held during Day 2 of the From Turf to Tools OUTING. “We had a good turnout for the third and final smelt of the project, with visitors from as far afield as Fife driving up to witness it. We had initially planned to use human power to provide the […]
On Friday and Saturday SSW opened up to the public in OUTING. We had presentations from a range of practitioners looking at the many facets of the From Turf to Tools project, as well as a public demonstration of the smelting process. We have a huge Thank You to extend to the project participants, in particular the amazing Darrell Markewitz and his wife Kelly, and SSW technician. We must also thank our volunteers James McCarthy, Thomas Stackhouse and Uist Corrigan, […]
Darrell Markewitz is a master blacksmith, hailing from Wareham Forge, Ontario. He has joined SSW for the Slow Prototype From Turf to Tools (which has an open forum this weekend, schedule available here eepurl.com/08VOb). This is an exploration of the bloomery iron process – an ancient method of metal production, knowledge of which has been largely lost over the last millenia. Darrell, you and SSW technican are both collaborating for an SSW Slow Prototype, how did this come about? We […]
From 11-23 August, the collaboration of Scottish Sculpture Workshop and master blacksmith Darrell Markewitz, with Dr. Gordon Noble, archeologist at University of Aberdeen, will seek to recreate a ceremonial axe – as seen on the Rhynie Man standing stone – through smelting and forging locally sourced materials. Two writers, Maxime Hourani (Lebanon) and Deirdre O’Mahony (Ireland) will document the collaborative research process. From Turf to Tools is an ongoing investigation in to landscape, material and craft, inspired by local archeological […]
Looking down into the quarryOne of the advantages of being part of the Aberdeen Granite Panel is that occasionally we get invited to the most interesting places. Last week, SSW staff Silja and Emily visited the Kemnay Quarry and Brickworks. We were not quite sure what to expect and very much enjoyed the rich visual impact, from the old machinery and new robotics to the quarry itself.
Week in Pictures… The March Emerging Artists Katie Anderson, Jen Bradley, Thomas Woodcock, Fiona McCubbin, Rachel Levine and Emily Iremonger, have been working in every workshop and almost every medium during their three week stay. Here is Katie Anderson showing us her copper cast horn that she is hoping to install during a hill walk over the next couple of weeks. Last week we held studio talks, each artist had 5 – 10 mins to show an overview of their […]
Presentations and Workshops Artists Helle Bjerregaard, Jane Brucker, Catharina Golebowskie, Petra Vergunst, Jack Vickridge and Harriette Yarrington joined us for the Darkness and Isolation Residency, which ran from January to February this year. While Mars might seem literally light years away from us, Aberdeenshire is actually home to the only known source of Macaulayite in the world. Macaulayte is rich in iron, with a distinctive red colour, and is being […]
North East landmark in focus: international artists’ new work inspired by Bennachie on view in Aberdeen Preview 6.30pm Friday 4 April 2014 Seventeen, 17 Belmont Street, Aberdeen Bennachie – hill of the breast – is an iconic landmark that has cast its shadow over the North East since it was formed 400 million years ago. This mass of rock was gradually worn away by glaciations, wind, rain and frost, revealing the familiar profile that stands dominating the horizon today. In the […]
SSW has had a very busy year – from the opening of the Talking Wall in March, to the celebrating granite with Sean Lynch during the Granite Festival, and working with all the artists in the Natural Bennachie project as part of the Year of Natural Scotland 2013. Coming up in 2014 we have a packed year of projects, residencies and workshops. First up are Helle Bjerregaard, Jane Brucker, Catharina […]
Scottish Charity Number: SC003223