© Moisés Hernández.
Mexican designer Moisés Hernández’ dipped his Immersed Birds collection in dye to emulate the plumage of tropical fauna. The wooden birds are based on the form and colouring of toucans, hummingbirds and Mexican quetzals – chosen for their bright, contrasting feathers.Hernández used computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) technology to mill soft, continuous wooden shapes that replicate the structure of the birds’ bodies. Exaggerated tubes form tails, while slender spikes make for beaks.
The designer then developed an experimental painting technique that immersed sections of the wood in coloured water. This allowed Hernández to create overlapping and contrasting layers of colour, and play with transparency – leaving the grain of the wood visible beneath the dye.
“This way, the birds acquire a duality where handmade and machine-made complement each other, resulting in three decorative figures,” said the designer, who has exhibited his work around the world.
© Moisés Hernández.
Via Dezeen. Moisés Hernández’ site is full of wonders, oh, have a visit!
I love this, the colours, the transparency is the best part, with the grain of the wood.
It’s a joy to see what CNC machines can do with wood. I know a guy who made a guitar body in maple on a big CNC -- normally it would have been a huge amount of work, instead it took a couple of hours. The crazy part was that, when the job was done, the wood was so smooth it looked polished. I believe he did a little clean-up and just applied finish.
I want! I want!
Beautiful. Reminds me of dip-dyed fabric, which probably inspired this.
They are beautiful and the connection between wood-grain patterns and birds is there. Also, they seem to be made in a nifty way.