My friend James, whose a second generation ( or more ) forester and wood cutter in Sussex supplied me with the rails and posts of chestnut and oak for a fence as well as a round ash for a gate. I am still trying to figure my relationship with cleft wood and with knives and axes. I am very interested in the environmental impact of these materials that are so quick to renew and therefor allow the landscape to change periodically.
So far I am investigating the traditional application ( i.e. fencing, gates, garden structures, stools..)
My minimal artistic twist on the tradition in the shape of reversed rails was criticized heavily by James; he keeps wanting to take them out and twist them around.
I am not easy in accepting the common sense in the design of the English countryside…
