Forged in the Box: Flora or Fauna

Flora theme due date extended to Spring Conference 2025.  Fauna theme also welcome.

CBA is delaying the first judging of the Forged in the Box Challenge in order to get more entries and to enlist some well established curators, judges and participating venues.

If you have your entries ready by Oktoberfest, by all means bring them to share. We'd all love to see them!

Inspired by the awesomeness of the 150mm Challenge displayed at Spring Conference 2022, at Petaluma, CBA invites individuals and teams of up to 4 to create artwork that can be shipped in a standard USPS Large Flat-Rate Box.

Your CBA embarks on a multi-year project to bring the art of blacksmiths to the public. To do that we need a body of great work to show. You are challenged to help build that body of work representing the breadth and quality of our craft. CBA will send our best work on a traveling exhibit visiting art shows, galleries and museums.

The theme for the first round is 'Flora'. Leaves, flowers, any sort of plant based element, realistic or abstract or impressionistic. Other elements are allowed. The second theme is 'Fauna'. So combining the two encompasses anything inspired by the forms of life from mushrooms to people.

Register your intent to participate at: https://www.calsmith.org/event-5791681

FAQ and such:

Who can enter? Anyone. Like the 150mm Challenge, we are open to entries from artist blacksmiths from across the globe.

What is needed to enter? Just make something and bring it to Spring Conference or ship it to FiB Challenge c/o Kirk McNeill, 119 Corinne Ave, Santa Cruz CA 95050. The due date for shipped packages for the Spring Conference judging is April 8, 2025. Hand delivered pieces must be at Spring Conference by noon April 12, 2025. Fill out the form on the CBA website and email to vice-president@calsmith.org. Packages must arrive by October 8 to be shown at Oktoberfest.

What can it be made of? It should be predominantly made of metal featuring traditionally crafted elements. Any metal is acceptable. The finish should support and enhance the work.

How big is a Large Flat-Rate Box? The Interior dimensions are 12 x 11.75 x 5.5 inches. Allowing for packing material is recommended but not required. It need not use the whole volume of the box.

Can it stand up? As displayed it can use a space 12 x 11.75 x 18 inches tall. This might be a simple stand so that a piece designed for wall mounting could be displayed. Or it could require some assembly such as placing flower stems in a vase. If assembly is required, instructions must be provided. Note: words and pictures work better than either alone. If fasteners are required, they should not be visible or they should complement the work.

Can I work alone? Yes, but we really want to encourage teamwork. Hopefully, intermediate smiths can team up with masters and professionals.

“Flora”? What does that even mean?  Flowers, plant forms, or leaves. For instance, roses, oak leaves with acorns, etc.  It could be a literal interpretation into metal or abstract – use your imagination. The ‘Flora’ theme is selected as a way to get your imagination started. Theme is to suggest not only representing but also inspired by, abstract representations, and impressions. In other words anyplace your brain and heart take you.

Who owns the work?  Work can be donated to CBA or Loaned for a period of time -- typically a year or so. We will add new pieces from the next challenge to the traveling exhibit. Depending on the venue, as in gallery vs. museum, and the artist's preference, work might be offered for sale. If they don’t sell, we will return them to the lead artist or auction them off at some future  event. We have an entry form that spells this out. The entry form is HERE.

Will this be a one-time thing? No, we intend to keep this up with new themes for at least a couple of years. The next theme will probably be “Fauna” or forms from life. Like Monica Coyne's humanoid forms, or those of Joe Anderson, or Zevik Gottlieb. We will think of other themes as we go along.

Where will these be displayed? We have a couple of places lined up but we are looking for more. We’ll be creating an exhibition catalog with photos and descriptions of the works and the artists. We’d like to earn a place at art festivals such as the Sausalito Art Festival, the Kings Mountain Art Festival, and the Sawdust Art and Craft Festival, or the Winter Fantasy in Laguna Beach.  All these high-end affairs require us to pass muster with their juries competing against well-known artists in many disciplines. Currently, we are working on cementing connections with some galleries in Santa Cruz. At some point the collection will be at the Museum at Templeton, Folsom, Vista, and maybe Santa Rosa.

Why? Presenting the craft of blacksmithing and the art of blacksmiths to the public is part of both the CBA and the ABANA charters. We have found that we can’t expect the public to come to us. So how do we bring our art and craft to the public? Getting to more people means showing our work. Galleries, museums, and arts and craft fairs are all possible venues.

(Photo: Pat Downing's spectacular entry.)

Herb Upham, CBA Board Member from 2002 to 2020, past CBA President from 2006 through 2010, CBA Secretary from 2012 through 2019, and instructor at his CBA teaching forge for 15 years passed away on Saturday, June 13 surrounded by his loving family. His patient ear and generous heart will be sorely missed, as well as his experience and wisdom in his classroom forge. He was a pillar for the CBA. He helped lead us and keep us on track to provide consistent membership services and offerings at numerous events and educational opportunities over many years. 

Herb’s Forge, a learning center for those fortunate enough to travel to his classes in rural Sebastopol, was a starting point for many a smith, and responsible for helping build CBA support in this part of California. His shop was well organized with instructional manuals, multiple workstations, and expansion plans to wheel out extra forges and anvils always at the ready. Attendees also got to enjoy spectacular views of Sonoma County from atop this western hilltop vista. 

Herb is survived by his wife, Shirley Upham, whom you have probably met if you have gone to any CBA conferences. She was the one checking you in with Herb at the registration table, at his side. If you won a raffle prize or ate a meal at a CBA conference, know that Shirley had a hand in it.

Condolences can be sent to Craig Litwin (secretary@calsmith.org); he will forward them to Herb's family.

Thank you, Herb, for your wonderful contributions to helping that new student find the spark within to light the forge. Your style of encouragement is an attribute we hope our whole world adopts. 

You will be missed, and remembered.

Mountain Forge and Arteclettica have collaborated on the first artwork in a sculptural series called, Individuality.  They applied to Reno Sculpture Fest to debut the piece and got accepted.  So cool!  The committee was so impressed by the work, that they invited Mountain Forge to do a demonstration of their craft at the event.  MF will be demo’ing Fri 6-8pm, Saturday 12-2pm and 4-6pm.  The sculpture will be on display with tons of other amazing works on Sunday 12-6pm, but MF will not be demo’ing that day unfortunately. 

CBA member Ben Abbott was shown last week on Forged In Fire, winning the bladesmithing competition.

Here's a photo of Ben with one of his latest creations, a Damascus steel sword blade.

EXHIBITION DATES: APR. 10 - OCT. 2

OVERVIEW: E.A. Chase: Designs of a Pioneer Modernist showcases a rare collection of over 60 drawings by one of the most Significant American blacksmiths of the 20th and 21st Century. This collection or renderings includes designs for architectural elements, household furnishings and sculpture accompanied by photographs and insight from the artist.

ARTISTS: E.A. Chase with an introduction written by Michael Bondi

SPECIAL THANKS: Michael Bondi, Paul Boulay, and Joy and E.A. Chase

LOCATION & HOURS: The Metal Museum (374 Metal Museum Dr., Memphis, Tennessee, 38106) is open Tuesday Saturday, 10AM 5PM & Sunday, 12PM 5PM

ADMISSION: Adults: $6 | Seniors: $5 | Students: $4

ABOUT THE METAL MUSEUM: The Metal Museum is the only institution in the United States devoted exclusively to the advancement of the art and craft of fine metalwork.

Published by the editorial department of HEPHAISTOS, the international trade publication for metal designers, volume 18 of “MetalDesign International” once again illustrates how inexhaustible the possibilities of metal designers really are. From classic ironwork to modern architecture, from candle holder to bridge to garden pond, the diversity of the representatives is impressive. Illustrated in colour, the yearbook is enriched with informative texts on the biographies and works of the metal designers.

Among them is Bernd King, a down-to-earth man of action who has mastered traditional as well as classic metal design techniques. The “Blacksmith of Wangen” who was influenced by Stefan Neutz, Glynn Snellgrove and Wilhelm Häderle, sees himself not so much as an artist but more as an artisan. Next to implementation, he considers dealing with customers his strength and views this as a challenge.

Georg Reinking works in Italy. Upon discovering the beauty of iron, the German cabinetmaker jumped on his motorcycle and drove to Italy in order to work with Filippo Scioli – and found his calling. Today he works there in the region, honours the traditional forging techniques and applies them in contemporary metal design. Small series and unique, individually tailored pieces are created in his workshop.

Josef “Sepp” Hermann works in larger categories. He lives in Vorarlberg/Austria – where a modern building culture has been established in addition to maintaining old architecture. Hermann – ornamental metalworker, farrier, furniture and interior designer – knows how to take this trend into account without denying his roots. Many new houses bear his signature with their stairs, entrances, balcony railings and even façades.

Hans-Ueli Baumgartner’s grave markers can almost be called legendary. People from all cantons come to his home in Switzerland for them. His signature is clear, precise, contemporary – and quasi unmistakable. The large sculptures which have found their place in numerous exhibitions are in part fabricated in a forge under the direction of the experienced designer – who likes to push his limits.

Tim Cisneros is familiar with the highs and lows of a long life as a blacksmith. Although he did not complete a classic apprenticeship, the former farrier learned design over the years from other blacksmiths, during his travels, from books, the web and through trial and error. Joseph Habermann and Massimilliano Bottero spent time with him as journeymen, and many important pieces were created through interaction with colleagues.

Tobbe Malm born in Sweden and living in Norway became known to many as the organiser of the “Roses for Oslo” campaign. His works are based on experiences and encounters with people – they are intended to tell stories. There is a lot to tell since we was employed as a social worker before he discovered metalwork, making a name for himself in large part with his bolt sculptures.

Stefan Duerst on the other hand headed for training as a blacksmith directly. He was educated in creativity even as a child and began his apprenticeship as a metal designer after graduating from secondary school. With the emigration to Canada, a dream came true for the “child of Munich” influenced by Herbert Elflein and Julia Mangold. He has his own blacksmith shop in Godfrey where the Ontario landscape inspires his creativity.

Steven Carpenter, living and working in Norway, has a solid educational background – and not just as a blacksmith. He has studied graphic and ornamental design, art history and archaeology, and attended courses for special forging techniques. As an ambassador for his trade, he himself gives courses with up to four participants. He recently received an order from representatives of the Norwegian parliament.

 

MetalDesign International 2016

by Peter Elgaß (publisher), 232 pages, German/English, over 700 colour photos and sketches,

hard cover, EUR 42.-, by subscription EUR 36.-, ISBN 978-3-95805-014-3.

Available under order no. 411 from the HEPHAISTOS publishing company, Gnadenberger Weg 4, D-87509 Immenstadt-Werdenstein/Germany, Tel. +49 (0)8379/728016, Fax +49 (0)8379/728018, E-Mail: hephaistos@metall-aktiv.de, www.metall-aktiv.de

CBA’s Daniel Hopper was honored with the cover position and an extensive article in the Dec-Jan edition of American Craft magazine.

Note the octopus chandelier that also was in thePeople’s Choice selections at the CBA Spring Conference.

Way to go, Dan!

Cover image reprinted with permission of American Craft Magazine

Toby Hickman Memorial Bench

Sculpture Installed June 27, 2015

Westport, Ca