Jesse Walp, Rochester NY, USA

Reed Chair
White oak
2438 h x 533 w x 838mm d

Materials
The materials that were used include white oak fumed with ammonia to achieve a darker greenish colour to represent grass and striped walnut to reflect the linear quality of the oak pieces and to represent the earth.

Joinery
The walnut layers were made of side laminated boards. They were laminated again to join the layers. The stem is attached to the top and bottom with machine cut floating tenons. The backrest is removable and tenons into the walnut bottom of the chair through a large hand cut mortise. The carving was done with a gouge and mallet, and then rasps.

Glues and finishes
Titebond glue was used in the joinery and petroleum based Watco Danish oil was used as the finish.

Concept
The piece is a representation of a tranquil scene of a pond with grass reeds growing out from within. The scene is to encourage the feeling of relaxation in a natural environment. References to lily pads, drops of water, and hills of dirt help to make the setting. One sits in the pond, feet on the hill, and leans back on the grass. The reeds make a gentle clatter like rustling in the breeze while providing the comfortable firm spring of many smooth pieces.

Photos: Rochester Institute of Technology, ETC photography