Concave and Convex Woodworking

Steiner Says Series

Above everything else, an artist, any artist, must develop a feeling for his media. It must he ‘sic’ so strong that — for instance — a sculptor working in wood knows that human eyes must be dug out of it; he focuses on what is concave; hollows out the wood. On the other hand, a sculptor working in marble or some other hard substance does not hollow out; he focuses his attention on, say, the brow jutting forward above the eye; takes into consideration what is convex. Already in his preparatory work in plasticine or clay he immerses himself in his material. The sculptor in marble lays on; the woodcarver takes away, hollows out. They must live with their material; must listen and understand its vital language.

Rudolph Steiner, The Arts and Their Mission, read in full here: rsarchive.org

Photos of Waldorf Woodworking Project: Spinning Tops

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I find that modeling forms helps to ground students when they return to school. Holidays can be so busy and they can interrupt any family’s rhythms and along with long days at home (sometimes alone), travel and too much food, students can come back to school exhausted and dis-regulated. I think of this clay modeling work to ground students after a break as my gift to our class teachers for whom I am so thankful!

What quote is inspiring you? Teachers using Waldorf Methods to teach through practical arts and crafts are invited to submit a post by email for this series.