The long bench outside of my workroom was a good idea.
When we made it, we planned it for sitting and for admiring the view
from a pleasing vantage point. The deep overhang of the eaves means
the bench is protected from most rain.
It spans the length of the front of the building between the two doors.
It is five and a half metres long and a little bit higher than I would like.
When I sit on it, my feet dangle off the ground. It ended up a bit high
because when the blacksmith came with the metal brackets he had made,
he had to put them into the stone wall in a place where the wall would take them.
There was a bit of lumpiness down near the bottom so the bench got higher
off the ground. The smooth wooden boards make a wide and comfortable surface,
but in spite of the generosity of the width, the bench seems to be used for
everything except sitting. Underneath it has become one of our firewood
storage places. It is a good and protected spot for wood, and what is stored
here now is dry and will be ready for next winter. I use the bench as a kind of table,
an extension of my workroom. Right now, I have lined up a fine selection
of the rusted objects I have found and collected, both here and from up above at
Johnny Mackin's old place. It looks as if I might be opening a little shop.
We spent a lot of time as children making shops to sell groceries.
We emptied my mothers cupboards of the cans and containers.
We made labels for empty boxes and assorted packages to further fill our shelves.
I do not remember ever getting to the point where we sold anything to anyone.
The whole activity was about setting up the shop. My line-up of rusty things is
for no purpose. It is just nice to see them together and to admire them as I walk past.
Sometimes I bring things inside to make drawings of them.

Text from
for the new year 2011
Coracle Press

S/Z
S/Z Builds Benches on Request (Furnished Space), 2011


Installation as part of 'NEEDED BY THINGS'
25 - 27 February, 2011
The bench will remain in the space as a piece of furniture.