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The plumb bob; nothing more than a simple pointed weight, suspended from one end of a string, and used to determine a line perpendicular to a point. The realization of this phenomenon was as important to the development of civilization as the number 0.

I grew up in a family with a tradition of being builders of things. As a result, there has always been an emphasis on craftsmanship and a fascination with things mechanical. Throughout my childhood, I was always drawn to the strange heavy weights, many wrapped like mummies in thick layers of cotton string, that were always present in the shops and tool boxes of my mentors.

It has been more than twenty years since my initial revelation. The idea of the plumb bob as a personal theme has revealed itself to be complex. The plumb bob, in its simplicity, belies its importance to history, mathematics, sciences, architecture and art. Its silent vigil seems mystical, assuring us that all is plumb and on the level, as it strains to touch the earth. The plumb bob has seen great civilizations rise and fall without altering its nature.

My work relies on strong linear elements, surface development thru texture and coloration, and an emphasis on the presentation of recycled objects. These objects represent the effort and skill of past craftsmen. Men who invested countless hours of their lives producing these objects, and whose effort has out lived the objects usefulness. By resurrecting these objects I endeavor to infuse my energy with theirs, and in turn, pay tribute to their contribution.



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© 2001 John D. Wittersheim