High Wycombe gig

If you are around High Wycombe this saturday, then there is a terrific event starring Martin Creed but also featuring me, with the instruments that have been made for me by "Out of the Dark" http://www.outofthedark.org.uk/ and a link to a video on the guardian website of them, which by chance includes the making of the 'Harry Bertoia' piece: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/video/2014/may/27/out-of-the-dark-restoring-furniture-direction-troubled-teenagers-video
This is a new venture for me to be designing instruments that will then be created by others.  The project has been put together by Edmund Harcourt of Hogarth Productions who have organised the Whitely Festival for many years.I am off tomorrow for three days rehearsals with these instruments, that I haven't seen or played, so that is rather exciting. 

Harry Bertoia inspired instrument

Guitar Box

Rulers

Peninnis window: Isle of Scilly Camera Obscura

And so to the last window of the series the Peninnis Window.  After this series I will be making a series of hanging camera obscuras later in the year, turned wood with lens and screen inserted.

half drilled

drilled

The Power Station Window on the Isle of Scilly Camera Obscura

Another window completed for the Camera Obscura on the Isle of Scilly, this one faces the powerstation.

Drilling in Progress

Fully Drilled

The Charring

The Dumnonni Carving

This weekend with my son Solomon I went to a LARP a Live Action Role Playing event in deepest Devon, my role to be Gorius of Gorius a highly skilled woodcarver repaying a debt of honour to Culhaven.  My son was happy being crew and fighting battles while I carved away in the village, fed and watered and generally well looked after.
Did I know what to carve?  No.  So I sought my charcoal and free formed onto a slab of oak and let the chisels decide and the pleasure was immense, pure joy of intuition and tools.
So this is what I carved and left in the village a gift to the King and honour restored.

St Agnes Window, Isles of Scilly Camera Obscura

I have now started the windows for the camera obscura on St Mary's The Isles of Scilly.  Made from 25mm oak, these are drilled and then burnt.  The first window looks out towards the Isle of St Agnes which has a labyrinth on its shore, the window is that labyrinth.  When the light comes through the holes so it picks out the shape, the colours and light behind will depend on seasons and weather, making it an ever changing scene.

The drawing and drilling process

The holes without light

Target Window

Back to windows and light, another move on from the colour blind series to windows in preparations for the commissions on Scilly.
Charred oak

Quaduke, raising money for 10 radio

On thursday the 3rd of april at 8.00 at the White Hart Hotel in Wiveliscombe there is to be an 'Auction of Promises' to raise money for the local community radio station that broadcasts out of Wiveliscombe, and yes I have been known to partake in a few shows over the years.
So for this 'Auction of Promises' I have created a small musical instrument called 'Quaduke', this instrument has a sliding bridge that means it can be played in many ways and has an array of sounds.
Too bid for this instrument you will have to be at the White Hart from 8.00 onwards or contact me at: michaelfairfax@eclipse.co.uk with your pledge and I will put it forward.  There is a reserve price of £100.00.
It is made from oak with steel strings that can be tuned.