…[F]or me the journey is truly the destination.” Fidgen, Tom. The Unplugged Woodshop: Hand-Crafted Projects for the Home & Workshop, p. 2. Tom Fidgen is a remarkable woodworker. I have two of his books, which provide a brief glimpse into his ingenious mind. He is a woodworker with a very quiet shop - there are no power tools.
Craft, in common parlance, seems to conjure up ideas of a messy workspace, things put together with less precision - the very first art class for a young child, smocks, paint and the need for a bath. It can be anxiety producing. Why do something messy by hand when a machine can produce a tidy output? These questions make meaningful conversation over crafting organic objects vs. mass produced plastic, almost fruitless. The driving force behind craft is passion. “People who lack passions of their own cannot understand the passions of others.” Hughes, Dave. Big Indian Creek, p.33. “Life offers fruits one would rather pluck himself.” Hughes, Dave. An Angler’s Astoria, 2nd ed., p. 48. Craft often requires far more personal resources than mass production, such as time, continual concentration and unwavering dedication in the face of tremendous opposition. From a mass production standpoint, it simply does not make sense. But it shouldn’t make sense, as their goals are antithetical. Craft is a journey of passion. Mass production is a journey of…mass production. One wakes the soul, the other blunts it. Comments are closed.
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AuthorMichael D. Day, Maker Categories
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October 2024
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