The Chamber of Secrets
a workshop of exploration and construction

We all have secrets, big and small, real or imagined,
that can be given an interior space to be protected and contemplated.

Join renowned found-object artist and ‘stuffsmith’ Keith Lo Bue in an exclusive
new exploration of these compelling hidden spaces.

To launch the workshop and inspire your own creative path,
Lo Bue will present a fascinating tour through a rich history of optical toys and diversions.
Then, beginning with a simple enclosure and lenses, and through carefully considered
combinations of found materials you’ll bring along, you will assemble intriguing optical devices,
through which real or imagined stories can be viewed.

A mysterious and intimate dialogue then occurs between object and viewer.
All along the way, important techniques of assembly, design, alteration and embellishment inherent to
found-object artwork will be covered in detail.

Regardless of your skill level, you will leave this eye-opening experience having been the architect,
with your own hands, heart and mind, of your own chamber of secrets.

AUSTRALIAN Supply list

New: Chamber of Secrets KIT!

For those who don't have any of these tools, I'm offering a 'starter-pack' kit that will include several of the essential tools and materials to get you up and running with your found materials!

NOTE: I am still sourcing some of the items and so the price won't be determined until early next year. I'm hoping to have it available in March or April, depending on availability.

COST for Participants: TBA

Included in the kit:

• Mini Linesman plier
• Large Round Nose plier
• Memory-Wire Shear Cutter
• Slim-line Centre-punch
• Special Capped Glue Syringe filled with Fuller Ultra-Clear
• Roll of 1.57mm reo tie wire
• Roll of 1mm tie wire
• Roll of .8mm tie wire
• Lenses (these will be supplied in class)

REQUIRED TOOLS:

The tools below are things you will be certainly using in the workshop, and to avoid having to wait for a communal tool to become available, you should plan on getting them for the class. Note that some of these are included in the kit, should you get that:

• roll of 'reo tie wire' (found for under $15 in some hardware stores in the construction materials section, near the cinder block and chain-link fencing. IMPORTANT: make sure it is steel or iron wire, NOT galvanized!...it should be dark grey-black) If met with blank stares, tell them it's for tying reo-rod together. NOTE: You won't need to haul the whole roll, as it's quite heavy - bring 1/4 of it with you and you'll have plenty!
• Cordless hand drill -If you have a variable-speed hand drill already, you won't need a cordless, but if you don't own a power drill yet, this is a great example. If you can afford it, this might be the best tool you've ever bought - trust me on that - you will get a LOT of use out of it.
• Memory wire cutters (this makes cutting the re-bar wire a cinch) - I will have them for sale in class.
• automatic centre punch: - I will have them for sale in class.
• foam ear plugs, if you're sensitive to hammering (we'll keep the noise down as much as possible, but there will be some, so just to be safe....
• Work gloves (to protect hands while working the wire - look for a close-fitting kind, rather than a big gardening-glove type)
• A small ball-pein hammer - Perfect size (and inexpensive) one - here
• a regular pair of utility or linesman pliers (you can buy the bees-knees ones here - another tool you'll be glad you own!)
• round-nose pliers: I will have these for sale in class.
• Bench Pin: This is what they look like:<Here> If you already have one, bring it. I will have some for sale in class.
• Bar clamps <Here> 150mm is shown. The even smaller micro ones are handy as well for small projects. You'll need one of the 150mm clamps, and one or two of the micro ones will get A LOT of use! (Note: other brands of these bar clamps are just not the quality of Irwin - here you do really get what you pay for)
• small file (any fine-tooth file will do)
• drill bits (any standard hardware-store twist drill bit set - avoid 'starter-point' sets, just the regular ones)
• extra 1/16" drill bit
• piece of scrap wood to drill into
• fine steel wool (find it in a paint-supply section of a hardware store) or Scotch-Brite pad (from supermarket)
• SAFETY GLASSES! - If you wear eyeglasses, they should be ones that will fit over them.

HELPFUL TOOLS:

NOT required, but will help you in all sorts of ways in class.

• rotary tool (preferably cordless) (here is an inexpensive off-brand one)

IDEAS FOR FOUND OBJECTS / RAW MATERIAL TO BRING:

Containers: Boxes, tubes, old housings, any hollow structure things can be put inside! Even little hand-size things are fair game, like little jewellery boxes, cigar boxes, etc. The more you have to choose from here the more fun you'll have in designing your chamber...

glass scraps
acrylic paint
wire
sheet metal stock
tin cans
medicine tins
eating utensils
electronics / machine parts
broken cameras or appliances
small scraps of wood or small readymade found boxes
books to use for collaging
personal effects or memorabilia
letters
documents
postcards
maps
photos
stamps
fabrics
buttons
keys
record albums
audio cassettes
eyeglasses or magnifying glasses
medical tools
dental tools
interesting old pencils or pens
toys
dominoes
dice
game pieces
artifacts: religious or secular
bones
feathers
leaves
acorns
insects
straw
stones
eggshell
bark
teeth
fossils
pressed flowers
screws
washers
hinges
hooks
nails
x-rays
keys
ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
Get the picture?
The list could go on forever, because nothing you bring CAN'T be used!

It's really a list to perhaps spark some inspiration on your end for what to pack. Any small objects that you find interesting for any ole reason should be brought.

 

RESOURCES FOR OBJECTS:

thrift / junk / antique shops
scrap metal yards
flea markets
garage sales
auctions
antique / ephemera fairs
hardware stores
art / craft supply stores

FREESOURCES FOR OBJECTS:

roadsides
parking lots
beaches
bush
abandoned buildings
dumps
dumpsters (only for the strong-stomached)
caves
eaves
attics
neighbors' attics
friends' eaves...

 

OPTIONAL TOOLS:

The tools below are not required for the class; they're helpful, so don't run out and buy them all. They would facilitate you to go in many directions with your work. Bring what you have, and call the workshop venue to check and see if they have some of these things on hand. Some studios are very well equipped, and some rely on students bringing what they need.

screwdrivers
tin-snips or metal shears
scribe
hacksaw
circle / geometric templates
masking / sticky / scotch tape
sandpaper
paint brushes

And any tools particular to a media you are conversant in...if you're a book artist, bring materials for binding, etc., painters bring your paints and sketchbooks...and those who've never ventured out into creative waters bring some junk and an open mind!

I look forward to a wild ride of exchange and creation with you all!

Please email me or message on Facebook with any questions you might have that this page didn't address.

See you there! Keith