Connecting Builders and Carvers?

[Justinbauer]

hi everyone, this is one of my first posts to your forum. i have been working with local master carvers on the canadian west coast thinking that if native carvers and artists combined there work with boat builders, some interesting designs could come out of it. i was wondering what your community on the forum thought of this idea?

Justin Bauer
BC Wood Strips Inc.
http://community.bcwoodstripsinc.com

[JimD]

Welcome to the forum, Justin. It's an interesting concept but I'm not sure how it could work in practice. Certainly boats could be and have been adorned with relief carving that has included aboriginal images. Whether the use of such native cultural icons was properly negotiated in the past and how it could or should be dealt with going forward in regards to cultural appropriation vs cultural collaboration could make for a very interesting and necessary discussion. Its a little harder to see how such a collaboration could actually affect the design of boats if that's what you mean. If you haven't already a place to approach for a couple expert opinions might be the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre which is home to both a boat builder and a Coast Salish carver. Check the link

http://www.classicboats.org/centre/people.html#Herb

[Bill Childs]

Sounds like it would be a fun exploration. If you are not married to exact historical and cultural traditions there will plenty of room to let your hair down and let some artistic juices flow.

I see lots of room for a collaboration such as this to affect the aesthics of boat design. By using proven hull shapes and tastefully altering the looks above the water you can create some fun stuff (so long as function is not ignored and/or jeopardized). The traditionalists might scream and kick but who cares. Have fun - do something bold and unpredictable.