Engineering workshop and bridge talk
I started to document Derek’s / the engineering workshop last week where there are mills and lathes – some old some very new. We discussed the transition from traditional towards computer operated processes and the shift from skills to knowledge. The physical manifestation of knowledge is skill, where materials and tools are physically manipulated to create objects. So in terms of what’s happening in contemporary engineering (as in many professions) is the integration of the digital. Knowledge develops in terms of using software’s to create the design work. The work has become more procedural in terms of operating the new Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines. Where as a lathe operator would load the material and use skill to achieve the object, with the CNC machines there could, (especially in larger companies) be a loader – who puts the material into the machine, the setter who loads the information into the computer integrated into the machine, and the programmer who writes the design in computer code which the setter inputs. With CNC processes you can walk away while the part is being tooled (made), obviously differing from traditional lathe work. There are varying degrees of skill in these (CNC) processes, in some smaller companies all the processes could be carried out by one individual. This segmenting reminds me of Adam Smith’s division of labour and Derek talked about the shift from blue collar to white collar which I have explored extensively in my practice.
We also discussed contemporary architecture and how the architect needs to have a working awareness of the capabilities of engineering as that is what will make the building stay standing. Having said that Derek was saying that engineers thrive on a challenge and that’s what we have with this no pointed needle. Working from a video still is problematic (and then also an opportunity) as it has no three dimensional measurements. So the measurements loaded into CAD come from estimation which I image is poor engineering practice. But from an artists perspective estimation and aesthetics is something I often work with. We will get there in the end (get the no pointed needle made) but it’s interesting to consider where the end is. The process of identifying when something is finished is more fluid for artists as work can always be described as being ‘in process’ with the presentation of the work in exhibitions or artists talks acting as a end point so to speak. However as one body of work is presented the things that didn’t quite work or those interesting ideas that started to emerge are the staring point for the next body of work. It’s a constant evolving process, at least it is for me.
I’m wondering if the CAD drawing/design of the no pointed needle will become more interesting to me and I could leave the video still image behind (using it as a departure point only). For an engineer that would be more difficult because from what I’m learning its about finding the solution to the original brief. Paul, the other CAD student himself an engineer, suggested with humour that to abandon the original intention (the translation of the video source material) would be bodging. Art practice as bodging sounds an interesting idea to me.
I left Derek last week with my shire how needles are madebook and in return I was lent a book about the Forth Bridge which I read the other night. We wondered last week if the over engineering of this bridge was due to the first one collapsing during construction but it was another, the Tay bridge. There was also mention of the Forster + Partners Millau viaduct in France. (http://www.fosterandpartners.com/Projects/1158/Default.aspx )
That’s what is so good about residencies, the original aims are explored but it’s all the other subjects and ideas that come alongside that makes it such an interesting way of working.
All this and not so much about the CAD and RP stuff we did, so more about that later.
