Читать книгу Mike Darlow's Woodturning Series: Useful Woodturning Projects - Mike Darlow - Страница 10

An early catalyst to the growth in non-useful turning was the publication of Dale Nish’s book Artistic Woodturning in 1980.³ Its gallery section promoted the non-useful works of several turners. The success of these and other high-profile turners of the non-useful has been and remains a powerful encouragement to the growth in non-useful turning. But, as with the corporate need to build a brand, all professional artists know the importance of building a name. They know that some high prices are due to buyers believing that owning a piece by a name artist bestows status on the buyer, and makes it more likely that the piece will appreciate rather than fall in monetary value over time.

Fortunately the woodturning media rightly believes that in the 21st century it needs bling. Non-useful turnings and the associated techniques, equipment and personalities can provide that bling and much of the content needed by the media of a practice which has an almost static technology. Therefore professional turners of the non-useful have sensibly cooperated with the woodturning media to their mutual benefit. By doing so these turners promote themselves, sales of their pieces, and are more likely to attract teaching and demonstration income.

An unfortunate recent trend is to promote woodturning as fun. This undervalues woodturning which is really about learning, applying that learning, exploration, achievement and modest pride, even though these are sometimes accompanied by frustration and failure. Woodturning also offers opportunities for social interaction.