TWOFOLD: SPACE-SAVING FOLDING FURNITURE _______________ A Project Presented to the Faculty of San Diego State University _______________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Fine Arts in Art _______________ by Christy Oates Spring 2015 iii Copyright © 2015 by Christy Oates All Rights Reserved iv ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS Twofold: Space-Saving Folding Furniture by Christy Oates Master of Fine Arts in Art San Diego State University, 2015 Twofold is an exhibition of work inspired by a need for space-saving furniture, manufacturing processes, daily routine, and origami. The pieces are designed as folding furniture objects to expand usability and aesthetics of a space by utilizing folding processes, thin profiles, and camouflage. Graphic themes of origami are used as pattern and an instructional guide for folding processes. The pieces are cut using a laser cutter and CNC router. Having access to these industrial tools has changed my entire perspective on making. It makes me think less about what I need the tools to do and more about what I can make the tools do for me. This project challenges preconceived notions of hand-machine relationships by traditional craft theorists. Twofold was exhibited in the Flor Y Canto Gallery, San Diego State University, December 5 through 10, 2009. Images of the exhibition are on file with the School of Art, Design, and Art History. v TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. iv LIST OF PLATES .................................................................................................................. vii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................. ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................x CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1 2 CLASSIFICATION OF CRAFT ...................................................................................3 Craft: A Brief History of the Past ............................................................................3 Craft: An Evaluation of the Present .........................................................................4 Craft: A Prediction of the Future .............................................................................7 3 INSPIRATION ..............................................................................................................8 Machine Potential ....................................................................................................8 Jeroen Verhoeven.....................................................................................................9 Michael Hosaluk ......................................................................................................9 Alan Wexler ...........................................................................................................10 Andrea Zittel ..........................................................................................................11 4 PROCESS ....................................................................................................................12 Origami ..................................................................................................................12 Walls, Camouflage, and Space Transition .............................................................13 Graphics and Forms ...............................................................................................13 Manufacturing and Eco-Friendly Materials ...........................................................14 CAD/CAM and Prototypes ....................................................................................15 Layers Upon Layers ...............................................................................................15 Hand Work .............................................................................................................17 5 TWOFOLD: THE WORK ...........................................................................................18 Crane Chair ............................................................................................................18 Mosquito Lamp ......................................................................................................18 vi Crab Desk and Frog Table .....................................................................................19 Skyline Table .........................................................................................................20 6 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................21 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................22 APPENDIX A FIGURES .....................................................................................................................23 B PLATES .......................................................................................................................30 vii LIST OF PLATES PAGE Plate 1. Lily Sign: Plywood, Bungee Cord ..............................................................................31 Plate 2. Lily Sign (open detail) .................................................................................................32 Plate 3. Lily Sign (closed detail) ..............................................................................................33 Plate 4. Crane Chair: Plywood, Bungee Cord .........................................................................34 Plate 5. Crane Chair (transition detail)....................................................................................35 Plate 6. Crane Chair (open detail) ...........................................................................................36 Plate 7. Crane Chair (reveal detail) .........................................................................................37 Plate 8. Crane Chair (color application within engraved lines detail) ....................................38 Plate 9. Crane Chair (staining within engraved lines detail)...................................................39 Plate 10. Mosquito Lamp: Plywood, Bungee Cord, Electronic Components ..........................40 Plate 11. Mosquito Lamp (lit detail) ........................................................................................41 Plate 12. Mosquito Lamp (closed detail)..................................................................................42 Plate 13. Mosquito Lamp (engraving detail) ............................................................................43 Plate 14. Mosquito Lamp (led and mirror detail) .....................................................................44 Plate 15. Mosquito Lamp (staining detail) ...............................................................................45 Plate 16. Crab Desk: Plywood, Bungee Cord..........................................................................46 Plate 17. Crab Desk (transition detail 1) ..................................................................................47 Plate 18. Crab Desk (transition detail 2) ..................................................................................48 Plate 19. Crab Desk (open detail) ............................................................................................49 Plate 20. Crab Desk (in use detail) ..........................................................................................50 Plate 21. Frog Table: Plywood, Bungee Cord .........................................................................51 Plate 22. Frog Table (open detail) ...........................................................................................52 Plate 23. Skyline Table: Plywood, Bungee Cord .....................................................................53 Plate 24. Skyline Table (transition detail 1) .............................................................................54 Plate 25. Skyline Table (transition detail 2) .............................................................................55 Plate 26. Skyline Table (transition detail 3) .............................................................................56 Plate 27. Skyline Table (open detail)........................................................................................57 viii Plate 28. Skyline Table (staining and engraving detail) ...........................................................58 Plate 29. Skyline Table (depth detail) ......................................................................................59 Plate 30. Crane Chair CAD Layout .........................................................................................60 Plate 31. Mosquito Lamp CAD Layout ...................................................................................61 Plate 32. Crab Desk CAD Layout ............................................................................................62 Plate 33. Frog Table CAD Layout ...........................................................................................63 Plate 34. Skyline Table CAD Layout ......................................................................................64 Plate 35. Metal Hinge CAD Layout .........................................................................................65