Wisconsin School Of Chainsaw Carving: Animal Carvings, Wood Benches, Eagles And Bears

Cultural Critics often contend that technology will repeatedly spawn new forms of art. Such technological innovations, art enthusiasts say, have contributed greatly to the cultural makeup up our society—just think of the Internet and how it's changed all of our lives. But some technological devices don't garner the same type of cultural attention. One such tool would be the chainsaw. The now burgeoning art movement, gracefully called Chainsaw Carving, would obviously not be a reality had it not been for a particular technological advancement—the infamous chainsaw.

Creating art from natural material is not a new or particularly groundbreaking process. But Chainsaw Carving takes a tool that functions mainly as an industrial instrument and turns it into the equivalent of a paint brush for the outdoors. This transformation is what makes it such an interesting art form. Chainsaw Carving's ability to take the tools offered to us by the industrial and technological revolution and subvert their intended use is both fascinating as an idea and a practice.

And it seems that the public is finally beginning to recognize Chainsaw Carving as a valid art form. In recent years, the art form has seen its sphere of influence continue to grow. In 1992, the first booking agency for Chainsaw Carving artists was created and in 2007 the first all-female group was started. Today, these artists can draw large crowds and make a living off selling their works of art to an increasing public demand.

Chainsaw Carving is not simply another hobby for loggers or outdoor-oriented individuals. Chainsaw Carving now has its own school, dedicated to the preservation and advancement of this art form and its practitioners. The Wisconsin School of Chainsaw Carving was opened in 2004 by Brian Johnson in northern Wisconsin as a way to spread his appreciation of what was formerly a hobby or a convention center sales gimmick. The school offers enthusiasts a weeklong course of intensive instruction and practice. Participants pay the $1,500 course fee and have access to top grade wood, the beautiful surroundings of northern Wisconsin, and plenty of instruction.

Chainsaw Carving artists have particular areas of interest, mainly outdoor related topics. As such, there are many various types of animal carvings on display at expositions. Animal carvings offer the artists the ability to produce a work of art that reflects their surroundings. Animal carvings are a great example of artists in the contemporary society reflecting upon topics that are often ignored by the more mainstream, cosmopolitan artists.

Bear Carvings and Eagle Carvings are two of the most popular subjects. Because Eagle carvings represent the American spirit and Bear Carvings can astound visitors with their size and lifelike qualities, both make for perfect showpieces. But artists are also adept at making carved wood benches. Carved wood benches are the perfect way to fill that space in the back yard. Ultimately, Chainsaw Carving artists offer a wide range of styles and topics for any potential enthusiast or customer.

Chainsaw Carving began as a simple hobby and showmanship by the logging community and is quickly becoming an established art form. If readers are at all interested, why not sign on for a course? If nothing else, Chainsaw Carving should be recognized as an adroit adaptation of technological advancement for humanistic endeavors. What more could we ask?


Sources:
About Wisconsin School of Chainsaw Carving. Wisconsin School of Chainsaw Carving. 1 April 2007.
http://www.chainsawcarvingschool.com/about.htm.< br />NPR: Chainsaw Art School. NPR. 27 Sept. 2002.1 April 2007.
www.npr.org/programs/wesat/features/2002/sept/ch ainsaw/index.html
Gilchrist, Dan. “Chain Saw Carving School.” Rake Magazine. Dec. 2004. 1 April 2007.
http://www.rakemag.com/stories/section_detail.as px?itemID=5013&catID=147&SelectCatID=147.