Heaven or Hell                  

Functional, well-crafted objects can often be regarded as beautiful. Good examples can be found in work and machine shops. Old machine tools have honesty and purpose that can usually only be found in nature.

The shape of individual components can describe their purpose but in a language understood by only a few. For the people that can interpret and understand the language observing a well crafted machine tool can be heaven but to many others it can seem tedious.

The resentment felt by the Luddites and the term ‘satanic mills’ have given negative connotations to the factory process and to machinery. Old machine tools can also be incredibly dangerous and if all goes wrong when using one, it can be hell. Loosing a finger can never be pleasant.

Heaven or Hell represents these two opposing factions. The well crafted traditional dark green exterior of the machine is contrasted by the fiery glow that is emitted from inside.

2008
Edition of 1