#18 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

 

Hey folks - here's Melinda's most recent video. She caught me explaining what I see when I look at a block of stone. From a square or rectangle to a circle to the mystery and intrique of a MOBIUS. Today's blog is #18 - There's 18 days until the Big Event. I've added a quick and easy way for you to see the Daily Blog Countdown. Across from this post, you can just add your email address and daily you will catch the latest on the Event News. I look forward to seeing you all on August 18th and enjoy today's video. Feel free to share it! 

#19 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

A Mobius Strip Diagram

Many collector's comment on the intersection between my sculpture and science. I have always been fascinated with geology, physics, and of course, biology (just kidding there!). I drive my wife crazy watching every television special on rocks or space. I feel such a strong bond with the origins of the stone that I carve and the shapes that I create. I find inspirations in the patterns of nature. Instead of using them to create man made shapes, I work to capture the authentic natural form itself. I discovered the Mobius Strip and the geometric formula it derives from one sunny morning when I was in the 3rd Grade. I remember it so clearly. I was awed that the shape in nature inspired a mathematician by the name of Mobius to attempt to capture the formula which creates the shape. Stone is the oldest material. I honor that by creating the marvelous shapes that nature provides us. 

#20 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

August Ferdinand Mobius (1790-1868)

Melinda and I were in London in 2003. We went to visit Melinda's childhood favorite; The Science Museum. We wandered around and suddenly we saw an exhibit in the "Math" room dedicated to Augustus Mobius! I could not tear myself away. Here were the various equations and models used by Augustus Mobius to plot his concept in three dimensional space. He was born in 1790 and has many mathematical concepts named after him, including the Mobius Transformations, important in projective geometry, and the Mobius Transform of number theory. He has a crater on the moon named after him as well as an asteroid. Mobius is also the name of a cartoon and video game character, a band and a song!!! As you know, we are serving Mobius Wines at The Year Of The Mobius event on August 18. And guess what? Augustus Mobius will be here for a special appearance!

#21 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

Making a Trefoil  I love making the trefoil sculptures. But, they require every ounce of my creativity, skill and concentration!!! The moment when I carve out the final struts holding the trefoil in place is breathtaking. Suddenly this sculpture that I have given birth to is almost floating in space. I always feel as if I have created something truly unique and magical. If I am feeling up to it, I usually make one trefoil a year. Typically these pieces are only available by commission and they require a 14-16 month advance notice to fit in around my shows. When the theme for this year's show came up, I really wanted to make several trefoils. But, I had to consider the impact on me physically. Making these pieces for "The Year Of The Mobius" is a true challenge. Sometimes I wonder how many more I have left in me to make!!!

#22 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

Making a Mobius: The Challenge Of One Edge After this many years, when I look at a block of stone, I can see the general Mobius shape that it contains. It is really tough though keeping my focus on the one edge as I begin to carve the stone. I can draw the outside lines on the raw block. The edge curves in and out of the block so that at some point I have to imagine the path of the line. When I use the chainsaw to produce the shape, I have to concentrate on the danger of using this piece of machinery AND at the same time continue to keep the design of one edge in the front on my mind. That can be quite a challenge when I am working for several hours on the same piece. I also get interrupted in my studio by deliveries and my "Studio Dogs" Sander and Clara. I can't believe that I haven't broken more pieces in my career!!!

#23 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

CATENA, 'Chain of Connected Ideas'

Mobius vs. Trefoil Some of you may be wondering about the difference between a Mobius and a Trefoil. I use to call all of my one edge/one side sculptures "Mobius" but my true signature pieces with three loops and one edge are really called "Trefoils". The trefoil knot is named after the three leaf clover or trefoil plant. The trefoil knot is impossible to 'untie' in three dimensions without cutting it. It is also invertible; there's no distinction between a counter clockwise-oriented trefoil and a clockwise-oriented trefoil. Just the words make your head spin. The "Mobius Strip" is an object with only one side and one edge. My Mobius Sculptures often appear to have several sides and edges because of the openings I carve into them. Trust me though, if you follow the edge you would come back to where you began.

#24 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

Here's "Video #2". Every year we hold a themed event that evolves around where my art is going that year. One year it was Italian after my carving trip to Italy; another year it was a celebration of the World of Stone. Check out this video which captures past events. You might see yourself in it!

#25 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

Postcard Invite (back) complete with QR code for the new web page

P.O.A. You need a 'Plan Of Action' to pull off an event of this size that's why I have Melinda and Lori as my Marketing Team. We all brainstorm, think outside of the "block" and build on ideas to formulate an annual event. It takes all 3 of us to bounce the ideas back and forth, proof postcards and stick to a theme. This is what you'll see on the back of the postcard invite. I hope you're on my mailing address! If not, email Lori your snail mail: lori@tbarny.com

#26 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

I had heard something about Mobius Wine and come to find out, he had heard about me and my Mobius Sculptures. We were at the Hotel Healdsburg when we first saw the label. Mike Kuimelis, Winemaker and Proprietor, came out for a wine tasting. I'm proud to announce that they will be pouring their wines at The Year Of The Mobius. hotelhealdsburg.com  mobiuswines.com

Chardonnay, Cabernet, Pinot Noir & Zinfandel for 8-18-2012

#27 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

The Room With A View ... of Sculpture

My website is constantly being updated with new pieces. But there is something NEW on the website...the Event Page for The Year Of The Mobius. On the Home Page are 2 badges: one for the event and one for my book. Check it out: www.tbarny.com/TheYearOfTheMobius

#28 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

My wife, Melinda, loves to capture me on video while I carve. This year she is making 5 two minute videos about me and "The Year Of The Mobius". This is the first one!!! I love how you can see what I do from a rough block to a finished sculpture. I hope you like it.

#29 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

"The Year Of The Dragon"  2012

This year in San Francisco, the Chinese New Year parade was January 23, 2012. It is the year to celebrate "The Year Of The Dragon". My "Marketing Team", Melinda and Lori, thought it is my year to devote my studio time to "The Mobius". I'm set for the challenge and ready to tackle those blocks of stone.   

#30 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

Some of the many Stone Blocks in my yard.

Back in January, my wife Melinda and I were walking around our property. She asked, "What do you want to do this year?" I pointed out that I see Mobius Sculptures in all of my stone blocks. We then discussed that these are very physically demanding on me and could I create a whole show centered around the MOBIUS. Is this my year for such a challenge? Watch as we countdown to 8-18-2012.

THE YEAR OF THE MOBIUS

It's Official - The 30 DAY COUNTDOWN to the annual T Barny Gallery and Sculpture Garden event begins July 19, 2012.

Have you ever seen something so beautiful that it still remains in your mind? You meant to go back and see it again. You meant to find out more about where it came from, who made it and how. Years later you have to know the answers but the artist has moved onto a new style of work. It is no longer available. What do you desire? Timeless elegance? Save The Date 8-18-2012. Rare Pieces Available. 

WHO: Sculptor T Barny presents his unique tribute to "The Mobius"
WHAT: The Celebration is a FREE, One Day, Open to the Public Event
WHERE: T Barny Gallery and Sculpture Gardens  4370 Pine Flat Road in Healdsburg, CA
WHEN: Saturday, August 18, 2012 from 4-7pm
WHY: Discover what Augustus Ferdinand Mobius, T Barny Sculpture and The Year Of The Dragon have in common. 
HOW: The MOBIUS has been a source of intrique and mystery to many. It is the visual manifestation of the geometric formula which describes an object with one side and one surface. T Barny continually conquers the challenge of creating the MOBIUS out of stone in his rare and unusual sculptures.
Celebrate The Year Of The Mobius 8-18-2012! 

SAVE THE DATE 8-18-2012

Enjoy The Journey: 8-18-2012

Celebrate The Year Of The Mobius at T Barny's Gallery and Sculpture Gardens in Healdsburg, CA. 
Check out my 30 Day Blog Countdown starting July 18 to catch the latest news about this rare event.