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By Maeve Reilly
When we visited a gallery where Charlie and John Sweitzer display their hand-made Shaker-style furniture, it was interesting to see how placing the furniture in a gallery changed people’s perceptions. People were tentative about touching the pieces, but, when they did, they realized that something as “common” and functional as furniture could be a work of art. In the program, one woman talks about how the sensual the show was—getting a literal feel of the furniture was as important as the visual look.
I’ve always been interested in the simple lines and clean design of Shaker furniture, but John’s “live-edge” desk, which incorporated his concept of taking nature’s design—a piece of wood with cracks, uneven surfaces and rough edges, was truly the highlight of the filming at the Ann Lloyd Gallery. John and Charlie claim to be furniture makers, not artists. But when you see the care they use in choosing renewable wood sources and using the form that nature created to often help with the design, you can’t help but examine your own surroundings and think about how much thought you give to choosing things that you use every day.
Segment duration: 05:30
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Producer: Maeve Reilly
Editor: Tim Hartin
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Business
The hand-made furniture is interesting to see how placing the furniture in a gallery changed people’s perceptions. People were tentative about touching the pieces.
The real essence is that they love their work that is why they produce a great product. John and Charlie had worked for a long time and that’s the reason why they already master it.
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