
The sculptural ‘curl’ is made by laminating two separate, parallel wooden shapes over a purpose-built steel jig to create an elegant, balanced and viable structure. It’s imperative that this structure remains steady and even as the rattan is applied, the likes of which has never been seen before. A 4.5 meter length of rattan webbing is then soaked to make it malleable prior to application. With a limited amount of time to integrate the rattan into the structure before it dries, Alexander works quickly and carefully to fold it into purposely cut grooves on the outer faces of the frame. As the cane dries in its new sculptural guise it tightens and creates a skin-like membrane that reinforces the integrity of the piece. To illuminate, LED lighting is inserted on the inner sides of the frames, and then covered with a veneer of wood to diffuse and soften the light.
