Here on upcycleDZINE you can find several upcycle design pieces made out of scrap wood. The first time I saw one of those designs it immediately reminded me of a bird’s eye view of a North American city. It’s just like looking at a city plan. It also reminds me of a painting called Broadway Boogie-Woogie by Dutch artist Piet Mondriaan that he made in New York [1942-43]. To me it shows streets, cars, buildings, traffic, motion and distribution.
When I saw this painting and his earlier work for the first time it made quite an impression on me. And that’s why I think I like these upcycled scrap wood tables. All these lines and pieces forming a new shape.
Abstract city and distorted forms
An upcycle design collection where this all comes together is called CITY SERIES. It’s a creation by designer James McNabb. His studio is located in a converted U.S. Post Office building in Philadelphia | United states.
James McNabb’s work is characterized by cityscape-inspired wood sculptures. According to James the sculptures “explore the limitless possibilities of the urban landscape and our human relationship to it.”
He created City Series by using scrap wood. The material gets a new meaning and function and forces viewers to create their own perspective of the urban landscape.
James McNabb:
“A collection of cityscape inspired sculptures that explore sociological concepts regarding transformations of cities and urban landscapes, their beauty, uniqueness, and over-development.”
Photos © James McNabb
Together with traditional woodworking techniques James uses an experimental approach by using a bandsaw. He calls this intuitive process “sketching with a bandsaw”. It allows him to work in a free way and thereby quickly generating forms.
Video © The Greatest Trick
City Series shows little architectural marvels that refer to abstract and in a way distorted forms of skyscrapers. It’s incredible to see that every building is unique.
I guess seeing the sculptures in real life is even so much more impressive than on these photo’s.
Design by James McNabb
Since you’re here …
I have a small favor to ask. Thousands are visiting upcycleDZINE for upcycle design inspiration every month. Readers in more than 100 countries around the world are now able to support financially.
upcycleDZINE is a completely independent niche site, is very work-intensive, and offers tons of unique information for free.
To keep upcycleDZINE running, I’m asking you for your support.
Your contribution will allow me to:
– meet the hosting costs
– upgrade to keep track of traffic increases
– add new content, and keep improving the older content
– add new functionalities to this site
– improve how it works and how it looks
– and last but not least, my daily dose of coffee 🙂
Again, all contributions will be reinvested into the aforementioned associated costs of running this blog and will help ensure the ongoing quest for quality upcycle design.
Your kindness and generosity will be greatly appreciated and will give me the motivation to continue.
Every contribution, however big or small, is so valuable for the future of upcycleDZINE.
Support today from as little as $2 – it only takes a minute. Thank you.
