The Making of Cluster

This book documents the fabrication process, tools, materials and inspirational artifacts involved in making of Cluster. I have compiled photos from the last two years.   These images are drawn from our travels to the Pacific Northwest, Southwest and Maine.  Flowers, tree bark, plants, and man made structures inspire and inform the choices I make in creating my sculpture.  

Fritzs’ Sculpture Series Book #1

After looking at images and experimenting with different fabrication processes its time to dig in and build. I start by making 40 sheets of hand made abaca paper, rip down lots of thin strips of Douglas Fir and router cut circular spacers.

Process and Materials

Routered Spacers

Paper Press

Douglas Fir Strips

Each tubular form is placed in a freezer bag and steam bent to a specific curve.

Abaca paper is wrapped around the wood and copper bands. After the paper has dried, two more layers are applied to the entire tubular form using generous amounts of Methyl Cellulose glue.

The dark stems are wood dowels wrapped with pigmented abaca paper embedded with steel cut oats.

Schmidt/Dean Gallery, 1719 Chestnut St. Philadelphia PA 19103 215-569-9433 www.Schmidtdean.com

January 18 - March 1 2014

Drawing on Nature  

Sculpture Installation by Fritz Dietel

FRITZDIETEL.COM