This ArtStruct door is designed to reflect the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden visitor experience: the land, plant life, clean air and water, sun, and art of the Garden.
This ArtStruct door is designed to reflect the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden visitor experience: the land, plant life, clean air and water, sun, and art of the Garden. The entryway is comprised of various media, including a sampling of some very special pieces of wood.
The Frame of the door is built with old growth redwood excavated from the bottom of Big River in Mendocino. This is very special wood as it was too dense and heavy to float and instead sunk down into the brackish tidal zone, only in 1989 to be brought to the mill. The projected age of the material is around 1500 years old and was felled circa 1910. The mottled nature of the wood comes from the fact that it was cured over time in saltwater.
The door panel is composed of many different trees but primarily redwood. The yellow blocks are western yellow cedar from the Pacific Northwest. The redwood blocks are from many sources: some are young with growth rings that are far apart, some are sinker redwood, and others blocks are redwood stump material. All material is salvage wood. The life story of each tree is apparent in its annual growth rings, which are visible in the panel of the door.
The curved panel at top is composed of two different varieties of black walnut. This California central valley walnut tree was first pieced together as a "whip," a young sapling with a root stock bred for durability, and the top half bred for quality fruit production. After many fruitful years, the tree was felled and milled and now we are able to enjoy seeing the graft line apparent in the panel.
The light toned wood on the side of the door is tulip poplar. This tree was located in front of the California State Capitol building in Sacramento and reached the end of its natural lifetime at seven feet in diameter and 110 years old.
The curved piece that the door closes upon is Cedar of Lebanon, an aromatic cedar distinguishable by its strong odor and defined growth rings. This ornamental tree was grown within the city limits of Ukiah, California.
The door construction utilizes the time-honored tradition of mortise and tenon. The top and bottom members project through the sides and are wedged, so as to mechanically marry the frame. The artwork and end-grain pattern are all floating in a system that allows for movement depending on the seasonal and climatic changes. Wood expands and contracts dramatically across the grain so this has to be accounted for in an ArtStruct door. ArtStruct doors are a three dimensional puzzle.
Two artists have collaborated providing the artwork for this door. The bronze panel was created by Bonnie C. Veblen, an artist of notable merit whose bronze work is included in numerous collections, including the Smithsonian Museum. The bronze panel is situated low in the door to engage children who pass by. The glass piece was created by Yorgen Q. Kvinsland, owner of ArtStruct. It reflects the calming effect of raindrops on a pool.
The tactile elements of this door are best appreciated in person. Please view and enjoy the newest ArtStruct commission…at the Garden.
For more information on Yorgen's work please go to his website:Click here.
For a "map" of the door, please click on the .pdf link below
