Experiment with Nature » experimentwithnature

Arterrae

Joe — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 19:22:45 +0000

At the crossroads of technology, nature, and aesthetics, Arterrae is a project that finds the awe-inspiring textures and colors hidden in Google Maps satellite images. It appropriates and subverts the go-to navigation tool for aesthetic ends, where the glitches, watermarks, and pixelation intermix with beautiful terrain to create something altogether new. Created by former Shwood Brand Manager, Joshua Fulfs, he scours the (digital) globe to curate the best images Google Maps has to offer.

To see more of Joshua’s work check out the links below!

Arterrae / Portfolio / Instagram

The Oxidized Collection

Steve Ebert — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 17:40:20 +0000

Earlier this week we debuted our latest material experiment, The Oxidized Collection. To complete this project, our product design team harnessed the power of oxidization to bring brilliant turquoise, blues, and golds from genuine brass. These brass inlays are then applied to two versions of our classic Canby silhouette for a look that has truly stood against the tests of time. To accomplish the oxidizing process that normally can take months to years, we apply a calculated mixture of ammonia & salt to raw brass in a controlled container. When cleaned and polished after a day-long resting period, the results are quite stunning.

Check out the photos below, watch the video of the process, and visit our WEBSITE to see more.

The Bucket Board

Steve Ebert — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 17:17:15 +0000

Brooklyn based artist, director, and all-around stuff-maker, Mac Premo, was tasked by the World Wildlife Fund to raise awareness for this past years’ Earth Hour (which occurred March 28th, 2015 at 8:30PM). The project asked him to take something already existing in the world (namely, trash) and re-purpose it into something useable and beneficial to daily life.

As a highly accomplished assemblage artist, Mac was already a pro at digging through dumpsters, and after reaching out to Encinitas, California-based skateboard company Sanford Shapes, they settled on creating skateboards out of discarded paint buckets. Using a process similar to the one we used in crafting our hand-made cruiser decks (LINK HERE), they pulled discarded buckets & wood, planed them down for pressing and routing, then finished the process with fine-sanding and drilling holes for mounting hardware. The results were pretty phenomenal – watch the well-made and entertaining video above, check out photos of the process and finished decks along with some of Mac’s other work below, and visit his portfolio HERE.

Georges Rousse – Single Perspective Installations

Steve Ebert — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 21:54:25 +0000

Sometimes it’s all about your point of view. Georges Rousse creates mesmerizing windows into another world by meticulously crafting his single perspective installations, creating 3-dimensional paintings that come together when you stand in the perfect spot.

Check out the video on his process, see the examples of his work below, and visit his website HERE.

Agenda Emerge Shop Visit

Steve Ebert — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 22:05:02 +0000

Our founder and designer, Eric Singer, welcomes you into the shop in this video by Agenda Show – Emerge.

Shwood for Atlantic Records Collection

Steve Ebert — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 20:43:21 +0000

Atlantic Records is classic. It’s revolutionary. It has pushed the envelope of popular music since it introduced jazz and R&B to the masses 60 years ago. And now Shwood is pleased to play a role in Atlantic’s legacy of experimentation and quality.

Introducing the Shwood for Atlantic Records Collection. Two versions of our classic Canby shape, both integrating genuine Atlantic vinyl records for a look as effortless as the music it embodies.

See more at: https://www.shwoodshop.com/us/collections/atlantic and check out the photos below.

Cruiser Skateboard Decks

Steve Ebert — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 20:32:18 +0000

After hand-shaping and raffling off a custom axe at last year’s Agenda Show Long Beach, we knew it was going to be difficult to come up with something even more impressive for this year’s show. In the process of brainstorming and talking over a few options and ideas, someone threw out the possibility of making something out of the same materials we use for our glasses. After making snowboards at the beginning of winter last year (check out that post HERE) skateboards seemed like a logical next step. The problem arose, however, that we wouldn’t be able to use power tools in the middle of a bustling tradeshow. So we set out to explore the possibility of making a few decks almost entirely with hand-tools.

To start the process, we selected material combinations from some of our most popular sunglasses options, and designed a few different shapes of decks. The plies were then cut to shape on the laser and arranged for pressing.

Each ply was coated with glue and arranged to be molded by the form above. Once arranged, the plies were placed against the form and inserted into this vacuum bag, which is operated by a small, quiet generator and vacuum pump.

After the plies are pressed and dried, the resulting planks are then cut to shape using a coping saw and ready for finishing.

After a good amount of sanding, once the edges were rounded and smooth, the deck was ready to have the holes drilled. Using the holes cut on the laser as guides, we created the hardware holes using this old-time styled hand-drill.

Once that was done a light coat of shellac was applied to protect and beautify the decks, and they are ready for assembly. See below for a few shots of the finished product!

Our founder, Eric Singer, will be hand-shaping another deck during the two days of Agenda Long Beach, and then we will be raffling one of the beauties off! If you are planning on attending stop by booth No. F35 to check out the process in person and enter for your chance to win!

McNabb & Co. Studio

Steve Ebert — Thu, 14 May 2015 19:03:19 +0000

Philadelphia based McNabb & Co. Studio offers a refreshing and unique take on fine woodworking in their project, “The City Series”. Founder James McNabb meticulously uses a bandsaw to individually shape small pieces of various wood species, eventually combining them into stunning collages of sorts. The abstracted architectural forms come together in an interesting perspective on urban sprawl, and when combined with the application into the mediums of furniture and wall art. The final products are stunning pieces certainly fitting for any urban loft. In his own words, “Each piece depicts the outsider’s perspective of the urban landscape. Made entirely of scrap wood, this work is an interpretation of making something out of nothing.”

Check out some photos of the below, and visit the portfolio site HERE.

FLYTE : Levitating Light

Steve Ebert — Fri, 08 May 2015 00:09:16 +0000

We don’t typically feature a lot of product here on Experiment with Nature, but this one was too cool to pass up. Introducing FLYTE : “FLYTE is a levitating light which hovers by magnetic levitation and is powered through the air. With FLYTE, we’ve set the lightbulb free.”

The bulb features cutting edge technology paired with a natural wood grain aesthetic and feel. Plus, with some small extra hardware, the base will charge your phone, and who doesn’t love that? Check out some photos of the product below and see the Kickstarter HERE.

Underwater Ink Photography

Steve Ebert — Mon, 04 May 2015 21:27:31 +0000

Here at Shwood we are avid fans of photography- both digital and film- and love to see new and interesting ways of capturing subjects. Photography offers a unique way to show a perspective, freeze a moment in time, or to tell a deeply moving story. Alberto Seveso instantly captured our attention with his series, “Heavy Metals”, in which he uses high-speed photography to capture injections of ink and heavy metals into liquid. The final images are mesmerizing, with interweaving, voluminous forms of color reminiscent of abstract anatomical paintings. Check out some examples from the series below, and see more of his work HERE.