The Art of Craft

Great design in architecture on a grand scale must be difficult to pull off!  Just imagine for a second planning a building that will house 600 units within an urban site that can barely take deliveries as well as connected to two designated historic properties.  This is the Massey Tower that was recently completed by Gary Switzer and his team at MOD Developments. Its Seamless, modern design that lights up an already cluttered condo skyline all within a zig zag footprint that was seen as too complicated to pull off.  Each one of his unique projects weaves together design, materials and a deep approach to improving a neighbourhood within community, all done with the arts in mind.  Whether its reviving an entire theatre block of Yonge Street or his current project nearing completion that is Waterworks, Gary Switzer understands the complexities of planning and excels at it.  And Often Developers get a bad rap and are seen as adverse to improving urban density. This may be true for the boxes of glass we are accustomed to seeing.  However, these condos are different in all departments and that’s why I wanted to have Gary on this podcast.  

I am almost positive there are other Gary Switzer’s out there in large cities across North America, but they are unfortunately an anomaly.  Gary started off as an Architect, learned as a City planner and eventually achieved his goal to design and build great architecture.  We need to celebrate those multifaceted artists and visionaries.  Thanks for coming on the show Gary!

https://moddevelopments.com/

Projects

55C Residences
55 Charles St. E., Toronto
Under Construction 

57 Spadina - The Taylor
57 Spadina Ave., Toronto
Under Construction 

The Massey Tower
197 Yonge St., Toronto
Completed

Five St. Joseph
5 St. Joseph St., Toronto
Completed

The Selby
592 Sherbourne St., Toronto
Completed

Waterworks
505 Richmond St. W., Toronto
Almost Complete 

What is Stereotomy or L’Art du Trait?  it can be defined as the art and science of cutting three-dimensional solids into particular shapes.  It starts off as a drawing, moves on to a conceptual model to work out all the detail and then the carpenter or mason scales it up to the real structure.  Sounds easy?  Not so  

You have likely seen examples of this while scrolling through pictures that make you wonder how did stone or wood bend or stretch into those sensual and intricate shapes.  Its carpentry and masonry taken to the highest level of intricacy to achieve the unthinkable.  All without the use of a calculator or complex trigonometry.  It defies all logic in this day in age where we tend to think in fixed angles or constraints.    Today we could likely use a 3D rendering software to project complex masterpieces of the French Renaissance or Baroque periods, and thankfully the training is still honoured in Europe to accomplish this.

Patrick Moore lives just outside of Ottawa, ON and is the first North American to complete the extensive Tour de France, with the a title Le Canadien 'L'Ami du Trait', the first North and South American Compagnon Passant Charpentier.  I met Patrick while he was learning heritage masonry in Perth, ON.  Patrick then moved on to carpentry and wanted to learn and apprentice as a journeyman in France.  Eventually Patrick graduated with a Master thesis that is on display in Montreal at the Musee des Maitres et Artisans du Quebec.  Patrick believes that by sharing this knowledge, he will empower others to do the same and the beautiful language of stereotomy or L’art du trait will not be lost.   Its such a great message and I am really impressed with Patrick and the journey he chose to learn these amazing skills.

• http://www.historicalcarpentry.com/home-12.html
• https://timberframehq.com/spotlight-patrick-moore-professional-school-practical-stereotomy/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loretto_Chapel
• http://www.cathedrale-chartres.org/

Tommy Smythe began his career as an interior Designer and is a Designer.  His firm TOM is a creative partnership with Lindsay Mens Craig and Kate Stuart.  I say that first as Tommy identifies with design before TV and is capable at both.  We witnessed this with his on-air partnership with Sarah Richardson as they carved a niche on their show and laughed along the way.  I think that might be the biggest takeaway from this era of television.  Things were not perfect and the ability to poke fun at each other is a trait we could all use during these troubling times.  Thanks Tommy!

(Please note: I had to record this while out of town  and my track was unrecognizable.  Some of the questions had to be re-asked in the same context.)

·       https://www.thisistom.ca/

·       https://www.instagram.com/tommysmythe/

Hand Made Metal Spinning – 

Metal spinning is considered to be one of the oldest methods of forming sheet metal.  This craft has its roots in ancient China where huge bells were made and other functional objects like cups and bowls.  Today, it is associated with custom or difficult pieces and an economic alternative to the mass production version that is metal stamping.  Automation and AI or high-volume technology will not make its way into this craft either.  The metal spinning process is too difficult to replicate.  

Every spinner spins differently and the product varies slightly according to each spinner’s experience and ability.  In metal spinning, the forming process is accomplished by the use of a spinning lathe.  The spinner skillfully forms a flat piece of metal called a blank over a mold to create the shape you want, much like a master potter at a wheel.

On this episode I had the opportunity to speak to Keith and Katie Morse from American Metal Spinning, who have taken over the family business from their father who started it in the 1980’s.  Metal spinning is a valuable skill that takes years to develop.  It’s also why we need to celebrate family businesses like this and support the craft and trades industry by thinking locally before buying globally.  So     before you give this episode a chance, take a moment to see the visual appeal of spinning on one of the links below. 

Check out the video's below:

•  https://www.instagram.com/americanmetalspinning/
• http://www.amermetalspinning.com/
• https://www.alliedmaker.com/
• https://matthewharris.studio/store
• @matthew_harris_studio
• https://katyskelton.com/product-category/lighting/
• https://www.northeastlantern.com/

A graduate from University of Waterloo, Sandra  established a full-time blacksmithing practice in 1993. Seven years later she founded Two Smiths, a design and prototyping studio that develops and builds sculptures, functional objects and architectural features in forged steel, hammered copper and bronze for both private and public spaces. 

 Sandra has lectured, taught and worked on projects across Canada, and internationally in Belgium, France, Australia and the United States. 

• https://www.twosmiths.ca/
• https://www.instagram.com/twosmiths.ca/?hl=en

 Jim Patterson from Somerset, England has been making paper for over 50 years.  What’s more impressive is Jim has no intention of slowing down.  During the conversation you will hear the old pitt mill creak and moan as it churns power through a set of gears that date back 400 years.  

 Two Rivers Paper Co., has been producing paper since 1988 and used by artists all over the world.  This type of handmade paper dates back to 500 years before Christ, and it was only in the 1800’s that paper was mass produced by machine.  

 Jim and his team are not stalwarts for tradition either.  They have adapted their techniques and recipes to improve their quality and process, while not sacrificing anything along the way.  Two Rivers Paper Co is a small, yet mighty team that clearly has pressed out a thin niche within this unique craft of custom paper making.  

 Before you give this episode a listen, try to imagine a 400 year-old stone mill situated within a rural park.  This may help you with the sound in the background and the limited bandwidth available in this area.  We sorted it all out and it was a pleasure to have Jim on the show.  

·      https://www.tworiverspaper.com/

·      https://www.instagram.com/tworiverspaper/

Alexandre Hupe of the Eastern Townships (just South of Montreal)  was trained as a glass blower and is a glass artist and builder.  He found the repetitive nature of production glass blowing gruelling and decided it wasn’t for him.  Alex is a glass creator, explorer and free thinker.  He is also the acting President of GAAC - Glass Art Association in Canada.  This role allows him to contribute to a wider community and  helps remain connected to the fragile and exciting material that drew him in years ago.

Alexandre Hupé holds a college degree in glass art from Espace Verre, Montreal. Inspired by the relation in which humans are shaped by their environment, and fascinated by the optical qualities of light in glass, he uses blown, solid and sand casted glass to create complex sculptures and modular LED illuminate surfaces.   He lives and work in Québec, Ontario and British Columbia. 

·      https://alexandrehupeart.com/

·      https://gaacanada.ca/

·      https://home.cmog.org

·      https://www.instagram.com/gaacanada/?hl=en

Jessica Steinhauser was in her early twenties and had a decision to make a tough decision… either stay in Germany and go to a prestigious Ceramics school or follow her inner guide and move to Canada to explore ceramics on her own terms.  And after 30 years, Jessica has developed her skills within ceramics and is breathing new life into the old tradition that is Kachelofen.  Jessica and her team build ceramic ovens that are both beautiful to look at and operate as an efficient heat source as well.   So, with that Art of Craft Listener’s, I give you my conversation with Jessica Steinhauser.

Here are links to Jessica’s work. 

·      https://shko.ca/

·      https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1092587590849995

·      https://www.instagram.com/kachelofenart/?hl=en

·      https://www.craftontario.com/exhibitions/online-gallery/awards-2016/jessica-steinhauser.html

Not many businesses can say they date back to 1912.  Sandkuhl Clayworks, out of Ohio, is a family business that has adapted over the decades and thankfully hasn’t had to use the word pivot in any way to describe their last year during these trying times.  On this episode I had the opportunity to speak to Ann Engh who brings decades of experience and knowledge to her craft as a custom clay maker, extruder and kiln technician.  Ann is seen as a leader in her field and is the go-to person for clay block projects that involve custom molds or extrusion on a large scale.  Ann and I joined forces along with Partisans Architects to bring together a clay block job in Toronto that is out of this world.  Ann also lets us in on the big award that was just announced where this project took first place in the International Masonry Institute for its   innovative design.  So congrats Ann for all your hard work as we need to celebrate more people like you who are normally provide the means to achieve such high praise.  

With that Art of Craft listeners, I give you my conversation with Ann from Sandkuhl Clayworks.  

·      http://www.sandkuhl.com/index.htm

·      https://www.imiweb.org/jbcaward/

·      https://partisans.com/project/gusto-501/

·      http://www.huntheritage.ca/gusto.html

Next week Jessica Steinhauser from…. https://shko.ca/

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to subscribe to the show and leave a review on Apple Podcast… ok – back to my regular gig as building something or other!  See ya next week!

Its March 9th, 2021 and It's been just over a year now where this lockdown has forced many to be sidelined from the job they love.  Pivoting for some has come easy, but for others who rely on a packed concert venue or live theatre, it’s been well bad, really bad.   And it’s not just the performers and artists, it has had a ripple affect on all the support staff behind the scenes and upfront as well.  

  Resolving the future of live venues  in this new reality where rubbing knees with a stranger in a historic theatre with cozy seating seems still far off.  Arts and Culture make any community come alive.  And in the summer a spontaneous dinner before a surprise concert, has to be the best night out.  We miss you restaurants,  theatre and concert staff and Toronto’s Historic Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre is no exception.  

  Robin Johnston has worked at this theatre as Head of Sound for 5 years and has put in his time as a stagehand for 20.  He deeply misses his job, his second family,  and this magical interior that transforms his tasks  from ordinary to amazing.  I enjoyed speaking to Robin about his craft and his passion for this historic theatre.

• https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/ewg/ewg-home