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"Longhorn Roundup"
29.5
inches tall, a total of 792 inches long and, the width varies from
32 to 44 inches
This table was a commission from the
University of Texas. It may be the largest table I will ever design.
It was to seat 52 people in the conference room of the Gebauer Building
on the Austin Campus. It’s construction spanned 18 months.
While the design was being worked on the search of the right trees
began, taking several months. Then after re-sawing the trees into
over one hundred 2 plus inch slices, it took another 3 months to
kiln dry. After drying the pieces 72 of the best pieces were selected.
For several months, while the legs were being made, the different
boards were being matched to their mates. This table would of course
have to be designed in sections. It’s final weight near two
tons. The following is an excerpt from the proposal to the University.
Quote: Native Texas materials, mesquite
and cedar were selected for their relevance to the state. The tabletop
surface, mad of mesquite, represents the tree that is as tough and
hearty as the Longhorn. The natural grain of the mesquite will determine
the curve along the perimeter of the tabletop, representing the
freedom we feel in the expanses of this land we call TEXAS. The
legs, carved to a shape represent the horns of the Longhorn, are
from the 150 year old Salt Cedar fence posts of the Jollyville Stagecoach
Stop. They represent a time in the Texas Hill Country not too long
past. The natural state of the materials will be revealed through
the highly polished surface and will pay homage to the University
that continues to hone and polish the People of Texas. This sculpture
will be a table named the “Longhorn Round Up.” End Quote
Designed in 12 sections the table
is versatile enough to meet different requirements. The current
floor plan has two twenty foot tables made of four sections each
on each side of the conference room and a single 8 foot section
name separately as the “Island” in the center of the
room. When a very large group meets in the room the island is pulled
front and center and 3 or 4 rows of chair are set in the middle.
Two sections together measuring 12 feet are situated in a corner
and are used for a buffet. The twelfth section was set at the top
of the stairs in a foyer greeting visitors to the Deans and Administrators
offices.
Each section is made of 3 or 4 boards
jointed together. Each of the joints between the boards is unique
and quite irregular, the shape of the joint determined on the quality
and more powerful grain of the dominate board. The assembly of each
joint is an 11-step process. Natural cracks occurring in mesquite
have been filled with clear polyester. In several places the cracks
become large enough to see the floor under the table. The cuts on
the legs are polished showing the oranges, reds, browns, and yellows
of the heart of the salt cedar. Where the legs are not cut the deep
grooves of the hundred and fifty years of weather are revealed.
They are attached to the table with a bronze and steel bracket that
the top of the leg has been mortised and set into. Every leg has
a different size and shape. They are juxtaposed curving in different
direction and may appear to some people to be moving. The supports
under the table are 2 inch thick pieces of mesquite cut into curving
rib shapes. One rib runs down the center of each section and has
three or four others connected to it at different angles. They are
all screwed to quarter inch thick by four-inch wide flat bars of
bronzed steel. When this assembly is connected to the table, the
steel part inlayed one-quarter inch into the bottom of the table,
and with the allusion of the leg movement it takes on an appearance
of animal ribs.
This commission was the establishment
of Chronic Art, LLC, Austin Texas.
For a more detailed description of this sculpture
please contact hank@chronicart.net.
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