Tell me this isn't wrong

[woodferret]

I'm beginning to wonder if the oddities have been left there to have that more 'handmade' feel.  When one dots the i's and crosses the t's, to some it starts looking manufactured.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I could agree with that somewhat, if it wasn't for the amount these are up for sale for. I kinda think it's an entirely different target crowd at $20k an item, who I would expect to be fairly discerning, and wanting to show off the expensive kit they bought instead of having people nit picking it when they're told how much it cost!

It is truly baffling though. Almost, but not quite!

 

[squall_line]

The more I think about this, the more I feel that since nobody is paying me even 4 or 5 DOLLARS for anything I make, I can't really say for sure what the expectations are of a piece that is placed in a gallery and priced 4 or 5 FIGURES.  That's an entire 'game' that is very region-specific and that has a completely different set of rules than most.

 

[Cheese]

Once I saw the photo of the artist, John Arenskov, I immediately thought "this guy's been around long enough and knows better."  Unfortunately, the original, unanswered question of "WHY" remains.

 

[Koamolly]

Maybe customers just don’t know the difference between quality work, design and details and whatever this piece is?  It reminds me of the art galleries or artists that sell any underwater scenes of whales, dolphins and tropical fish.  I know they are underwater fantasies and putting aside the fact that underwater lighting is never like the way it’s presented, they almost always mix the tropical fish from different parts of the world that would never be together in real life. The artist Wayland who paints whale murals on buildings is one that comes to mind, but most do this.  But many people love this type of “art” and pay big money for it. 

 

[Vtshopdog]

Based on galley location my guess is target buyer would be type who might have access to a private jet and the piece would go in a vacation home that is only used a handful of days each year.

The drawers would be empty and it would be adjacent to some other beautify art work. Hoping the builder and gallery both make a tidy profit from the sale.

 

[smorgasbord]

I spoke with the owner yesterday. A number of pieces had been sold since the last time we were there, less than 10 days earlier. We had a nice weather weekend in there, with Spring break for many.

Seems the majority were sold to people living in Pebble Beach, just north of Carmel, south of Monterey. Obviously, well to do folks. I didn't bring up the construction issues in the cabinet or tables, as the design of them is, I think, pretty cool, and there are many more plain art pieces there. If you're in Big Sur, it's definitely worth a stop to treat the gallery as a mini museum.

 

[rvieceli]

Thing to remember as well is the gallery commision is generally at least 40%

Ron

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I'm beginning to wonder if the oddities have been left there to have that more 'handmade' feel.  When one dots the i's and crosses the t's, to some it starts looking manufactured.

I'm not so sure about this? Are you saying that "factory made" is perfect and regular guys, in a home shop can't do that?
In my opinion, "hand made" doesn't have to mean crude.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I'm beginning to wonder if the oddities have been left there to have that more 'handmade' feel.  When one dots the i's and crosses the t's, to some it starts looking manufactured.

I'm not so sure about this? Are you saying that "factory made" is perfect and regular guys, in a home shop can't do that?
In my opinion, "hand made" doesn't have to mean crude.

I've often seen some makers deliberately leave some small well placed chisel, saw or hammer marks to emphasise the handmade aspect, but this is next level if that's the case.

 

[Koamolly]

I'm beginning to wonder if the oddities have been left there to have that more 'handmade' feel.  When one dots the i's and crosses the t's, to some it starts looking manufactured.

I'm not so sure about this? Are you saying that "factory made" is perfect and regular guys, in a home shop can't do that?
In my opinion, "hand made" doesn't have to mean crude.

I've often seen some makers deliberately leave some small well placed chisel, saw or hammer marks to emphasise the handmade aspect, but this is next level if that's the case.

That’s Wabi-sabi. This is Waki-sabi. 

 

[luvmytoolz]

I'm beginning to wonder if the oddities have been left there to have that more 'handmade' feel.  When one dots the i's and crosses the t's, to some it starts looking manufactured.

I'm not so sure about this? Are you saying that "factory made" is perfect and regular guys, in a home shop can't do that?
In my opinion, "hand made" doesn't have to mean crude.

I've often seen some makers deliberately leave some small well placed chisel, saw or hammer marks to emphasise the handmade aspect, but this is next level if that's the case.

That’s Wabi-sabi. This is Waki-sabi.

Ok well I think I may be an inadvertent master of Wabi-sabi! ;-)

I couldn't find a decent definition of Waki-sabi though?

 

[cider]

My takeaway from this thread is that if I want some hard truths about my work, I should post a picture and say I saw it in some gallery for a high price  [big grin]

 

[woodbutcherbower]

That’s Wabi-sabi. This is Waki-sabi.

You sure about that?

 

[Steve1]

Tough crowd here.

But as somebody pointed out earlier, this thread will be a learning experience.  That's what I come to this forum for.

It is designed to be built within a reasonable period of time.  Yep, few things that could have been done better.
For me, I notice:
-cheap visible drawer slides
-somebody suggested black hinge hardware -- yep good idea
-drawer/door pulls just don't do it for me
-plastic plugs over the screws ???  C'mon man, turn some Bubinga plugs
-drawer bottoms
-butt joints on drawers

I saved an image of this piece for my Inspiration folder.

The arched pieces on either side of the drawers --- you figure those are veneered laminations ?

 

[cider]

The arched pieces on either side of the drawers --- you figure those are veneered laminations ?

Looks like it to me.  You can see the lighter substrate in the screw hole, and the darker line along the curved edge.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I'm beginning to wonder if the oddities have been left there to have that more 'handmade' feel.  When one dots the i's and crosses the t's, to some it starts looking manufactured.

I'm not so sure about this? Are you saying that "factory made" is perfect and regular guys, in a home shop can't do that?
In my opinion, "hand made" doesn't have to mean crude.

I've often seen some makers deliberately leave some small well placed chisel, saw or hammer marks to emphasise the handmade aspect, but this is next level if that's the case.

Really? I can't imagine doing that. Signing and dating is good enough for me.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I've often seen some makers deliberately leave some small well placed chisel, saw or hammer marks to emphasise the handmade aspect, but this is next level if that's the case.

Really? I can't imagine doing that. Signing and dating is good enough for me.

Usually it's with small and much, much, cheaper items, I've never seen it with pieces anywhere near this range, but I guess anythings possible.

 

[Koamolly]

I'm beginning to wonder if the oddities have been left there to have that more 'handmade' feel.  When one dots the i's and crosses the t's, to some it starts looking manufactured.

I'm not so sure about this? Are you saying that "factory made" is perfect and regular guys, in a home shop can't do that?
In my opinion, "hand made" doesn't have to mean crude.

I've often seen some makers deliberately leave some small well placed chisel, saw or hammer marks to emphasise the handmade aspect, but this is next level if that's the case.

That’s Wabi-sabi. This is Waki-sabi.

Ok well I think I may be an inadvertent master of Wabi-sabi! ;-)

I couldn't find a decent definition of Waki-sabi though?

Guess I’m a poor joke teller.  Thought it’s a bit wacky (waki) to be charging so much for a piece of this quality. 

 

[rjboch]

I realize that we are all nitpicking our perceived errors or issues with this piece. However, most people do not notice or care about the small details or quality of a build. If they did - Kia, Chevy, Ford, Harbor Freight, any cheap item sold on Amazon, Dominos Pizza, Subway, etc would have gone out of business a long time ago. Also, 90% of new homes would never be purchased and most kitchen and bath remodel jobs would never occur because they are all built cheaply with low price point materials.