10 Oct The Art of Wood & Water with Deborah Main (Part I)

The Lamar Boulevard Bridge, before THIRST project installed, Austin, Texas, 2013.

If I could make a pillow from wood I would. I love wood that much. I love everything about wood from the fibers, natural grain, colors of the wood, dead wood, driftwood, textures of the bark, all the way to the glory of the giant tree and its position in our life, our world.  That’s why I was incredibly struck by the idea of this amazing collaborative art installation, THIRST, by Women & Their Work happening right here on Lady Bird Lake in the heart of Austin, Texas – my home, and the home of Deborah Main Designs studio. Lady Bird Lake, named after Lady Bird Johnson, President Johnson’s wife and a pioneer of environmental protection before it’s time, IS the heart of Austin, literally and figuratively. So it’s very fitting that this project was placed right smack in the middle of our great city.

The beautiful Hike & Bike trail around Lady Bird Lake.

Above is just a peek at the gorgeous trail surrounding the lake that is used by thousands of Austin runners, walkers, and cyclists. every day. In the beginning, I took  many of these photos when I first heard about the project and started to see some action going on at Lady Bird Lake.

I love the contrast here of the darkness under the bridge and how in the light and blueness of the water you can see a little of the barge beginning to set the stage for this exciting art installation.

Every day life going on in Austin with cars passing by as a crane quietly lays piles deep into the water to support THIRST project.Since we’re talking about trees and sustainability here I also want to introduce you to two woodworkers I know and admire.  Trevor Thurow here in Austin, and John Strauss in Ohio.  John will be showing his new designs at High Point Market soon and we will share some of those with you next week. And perhaps we’ll even explore beautiful outdoor settings incorporating wood and natural landscapes with water features.  Who knows where this series will take us?

Here’s some food for thought: According to the THIRSTart.org project in Austin, Texas, which runs from  September 28, 2013 through December 20th,

“During the 2011 drought, Texas lost 301 million forested trees and 5.6 million urban trees”

The THIRST project is truly fascinating to me and making me think!  I like the idea of discussing the project while also highlighting the beautiful woodwork by two fine craftsman that depend on trees for their livelihood.  But what I also really want to do with this series, is help bring attention to the core value of this important project, THIRST.  The lack of and need for water, one of our most precious natural resources.   I know you care too about our world and its natural resources!  (FYI: you can even participate in this project here!). That’s why so many artists, interior designers, landscape artists, wood workers, and architects all over the world are committed to sustainability in our home and work environments.

It’s amazing to think how much wood we use throughout our homes and in our daily lives.  Think about it: from a cutting board, to the chair we’re sitting on, to the majestic Shumard Red Oak tree shading our back yard, trees and water are the very foundation of our earth and how we use them and protect them are so important in the coming years.

(Above are stacks of reclaimed wood. Photo by, and with permission from,  Trevor Thurman)

Austin furniture maker, Trevor Thurow , likes to use walnut wood

“because of its raw natural beauty and when you put oil on it, the beauty of the grain is enhanced even more. I also like to use natural slabs of wood from trees that died of natural causes.  There is just something meaningful about taking the end of tree’s life and giving it new life for years to come.” 

Trevor’s initial reaction to the THIRST project is:

“As a woodworker, I truly understand how important water is to our economy.  Without water all living things will struggle, including trees.  Without healthy trees, I would not have material to create furniture for homes and business’s.  I try to think that certain trees are choosing to be organ donors like humans.  It may be the end of their life, but they are choosing to help give new life to someone else.”

Media console made from exotic Brazilian walnut. Photography by, and with permission from, Trevor Thurow.

This temporary installation, THIRST, of a dead tree, spray painted white, and suspended above Austin’s jewel of the city, Lady Bird Lake, with it’s roots exposed, has the ultimate goal to:

“Encourage us to consider our relationship to water, our most precious natural resource, and memorializes the loss of the 300 million trees that died in the Texas drought of 2011.”

Volunteers setting up the prayer flags for the meditation walk.  I definitely want to take that walk very soon.

In addition, 14,000 prayer flags are strung along the hike & bike trail as a meditation walk to acknowledge the devastating impact drought has on Austin and all our cities. The goal being:

“To make us think about the loss of water and to incorporate conservation and sustainability into our daily lives” and our homes, where ever we may live.

The flags, up close and personal.  I believe you can donate by purchasing one of the flags and/or a T-shirt to support the project.

Below is Ohio furniture maker John Strauss’s initial reaction to THIRST and a peek at some of his work he’ll be showcasing at High Point Market next week.

“The ghostly image of the suspended dead white tree over the lake is a melancholy and profound reminder of the fragility of our ecosystem and how endangered it has become. The tree seems to serve as a warning to consider our actions and the prayer flags bring that message outward. The art work itself seems to have served a larger purpose in bringing many parts of the Austin community together. That may be its most significant impact.”

Side table, made by John Strauss.  It has a walnut case and laquered doors with a blackened steel base. Photography by, with permission from, John Strauss.

Over the next few posts I’ll be exploring more thoughts and perspectives about THIRSTart.  Join me, at Deborah Main Designs, in learning more about this project, discovering the beautiful craftsmanship of two artisans who work with wood, and some facts about sustainability.  Check out their websites, the collaborative organizations involved in THIRST, and enjoy these photos. And please let me know what you think about wood & water, the most natural elements in our world and how you use them and conserve them.

THIRSTart Project, Austin, Texas. Photography by, with permission from, Ed Lehman.

I’d like to leave you with this final amazing photograph by Ed Lehmann.  It is of the Lamar Boulevard Bridge AFTER the THIRST Project was installed in  Austin, Texas, October, 2013.  I absolutely LOVE this photo by Ed!  To me it speaks volumes about the project itself. It is full of depth, shadows, dark corners, and rich color and texture just like an oil painting by the old masters. And the visual of the tree suspended and literally floating above such a massive foundation of water, Lady Bird Lake, is incredibly profound.

Here at Deborah Main Designs we care about our environment very much and do whatever we can to re-purpose vintage textiles, French trim, and costume jewelry, Yes, we value the craftsmanship in the materials we use and of the two above artists, but we also, like many artists, want to help do our part, no matter how small it is, to make the world a more beautiful, sustainable place to live.  See you in Part II next week!  Till then, conserve your water, think about the importance of this project THIRST , and appreciate all the fine wood furnishings in your home and office! XO, PG

Note: All photos by me, except where noted by professional photographers.