Digital Stone Project

[abknight@zzzzzz]

Hi Norman, George,

I always hesitate before pressing the send button and this
morning I was just too pleased with my fantasia that I
couln't help myself: the group must see how imaginative I
am.  My display was at your expense and I apologize.  But
I do feel that Argent is a crack artist and there is a
story told in his peice.  As for the amputated pillow, I
feel on solid ground with my response that such an
amputation is standard sculptural syntax for a metaphor of
penetration or submergance.  Of course there are those who
may demand "No metaphors!" as they pursue purity of direct
interaction with stone.

As to your other query.  A well packed gravel area is a
good start.  For a 1,000 four foot vertical stone I placed
it on a flattish block of marble.  I was trying to find
the proper vertical orientation of the rough block.  I
leaned it about using shims until I found a pleasing
"centering".  For very tall pieces such as the 25' plus
spire carved at Ukishima, timbers on gravel were
sufficent, but the piece was carved as it lay on its side.
 Other vertical pieces at Ukishima were done recently in a
similar manner, only being stood up on occasion.

George, if you are there.  Yes the lips do look good, as
lips often do.    And a big part of their impact is their
striking clarity: they do not show the interference of
organization and simplification that a carver's mind and
technique of hand impose.  They are lips as lips are, and
as the hand of man cannot make.