The Making of Cluster
Fritzs’ Sculpture Series Book #1
This book documents the fabrication process, tools, materials and inspirational artifacts involved in making of Cluster. I have compiled photos from the last two years. These images are drawn from our travels to the Pacific Northwest, Southwest and Maine. Flowers, tree bark, plants, and man made structures inspire and inform the choices I make in creating my sculpture.
Process and Materials After looking at images and experimenting with different fabrication processes its time to dig in and build. I start by making 40 sheets of hand made abaca paper, rip down lots of thin strips of Douglas Fir and router cut circular spacers.
Routered Spacers
Paper Press
Douglas Fir Strips
Each tubular form is placed in a freezer bag and steam bent to a specific curve.
Abaca paper is wrapped around the wood and copper bands. After the paper has dried, two more layers are applied to the entire tubular form using generous amounts of Methyl Cellulose glue.
The dark stems are wood dowels wrapped with pigmented abaca paper embedded with steel cut oats.
Drawing on Nature  Sculpture Installation by Fritz Dietel January 18 - March 1 2014
Schmidt/Dean Gallery, 1719 Chestnut St. Philadelphia PA 19103 215-569-9433 www.Schmidtdean.com
FRITZDIETEL.COM