Truth To Materials

The concept of truth to materials is that there are appropriate uses of materials which should be left as they are without camouflage, or change to their appearance. This idea originated in modern architecture as a way of reducing structures to their essentials, which also reduces expense and waste. Giving power to the natural properties of materials also applies to visual art, furniture design, and interior design. 

The intent of truth to materials is to not make wood look like metal, clay look like leather, or marble to look like flesh. Instead, the true properties of these materials are exalted. For example, wood evokes warmth and softness, stone: hard, heavy, solid and ungiving. Aluminum evokes lightness, ductility, heat conductance, and electrical conductivity. Every material has inherit elements that make them useful for specific purposes. 

In the Homage to Function project, material choices must be intentional and follow the truth to materials principles. Although the results are hand scale sculptures, referencing the aesthetics and formal aspects of monolithic industrial structures, they don't actually have mechanically functional parts. However, the materials originally used in those reference structures must be considered in the creation of sculpture. For example, concrete is a cast material that is rigid, has tremendous compressive strength, weather resistance, and is fireproof. Corrugated sheet metal is thin, light, and flexible – ideal as a barrier that is not under high levels of physical force. Glass, being transparent, waterproof, and brittle, denotes occupied spaces. Many descriptive properties can be considered in the determination material choices. The materials you use will influence the viewer's perception of your work.

To be avoided entirely is the use of materials that pretend to have the necessary desired qualities.

Here is a list of interesting and appropriate materials for use in the Homage to Function project:

• cast concrete and cement
• sheet metals: sheet steel, sheet aluminum, corrugated metal, perforated metal
• rough machined wood
• cast iron
• metal tubing, pipe, rod, bar, angle
• metal mechanical fasteners: rivets, screws, nuts, bolts, washers, nails, drive pins, etc.