ROBERT CHAPLiN

Amuse-Bouche De Roi- the Kings Dinner

2011-11-19T13:44:00.000-08:00

Queen Elizabeth I
Let us celebrate the Crowned Head of Gastown.

Funny there’s a municipal election going today, and it matters not at all. For on this last Thursday evening in Gastown, a monarch was selected by Amuse-Bouche, followed by a coronation dinner. I mean really, who said democracy has to be achieved by something as mundane as an election. In the City State of Gastown things are a run little differently, it’s Government by lottery. Our head of state is selected by Amuse-Bouche, from among a court of 20 dinner guests. Each guest receives an Amuse-Bouche/Objet d'Art, one of these treats contains a sterling silver Ruckle bean. The Person who receives the Ruckle bean is then coronated, ascending to the position of Ruling Monarch.

THE LUCKY GUEST WHO GETS THE BEAN
BECOMES THE RULiNG KiNG OR QUEEN

Queen Elizabeth I and the consort King Ravi

There are two crowned heads at the table. The Ruckle bean selects the monarch, the monarch chooses who may wear the other crown. On the King’s crown is inscribed this verse, “ Long live our King, lets celebrate, Gastown is a city state. Sing and Feast and Celebrate, Our King is Good Our King is Great. ” The Queen’s crown is inscribed with a very simple truth “However The King may rule The Queen runs the show”. I designed these crowns, first by sculpting components for casting, after the components were cast and finished, I brought them to a goldsmith for assembly and stone setting. The Amuse-Bouche/objet d’art were loaded each with a sterling snowflake from the Royal Canadian Snowflake Collection.

will post more pictures on this one...

Crown Commissioner : Scott Hawthorn
Goldsmith: Karen Morrow
Casting: Jess Sarber
Leather Work: Ravi Pankhania
Photo Credit: Landon Marie

Sheep Graffiti

2011-10-04T18:26:00.000-07:00

Ireland is a green place, and that’s been said in different ways by many great writers. Further, there’s been much academic attention paid to the importance of street art and its rise, from late twentieth century graffiti, through to a kind of museum quality death. Perhaps something that’s not been discussed enough is sheep tagging. Farmers used to the history of grazing their livestock on common land, get into branding their sheep in this manner. It makes the sheep easy to identify and reveals a savage beauty; in stark contrast, to all those bucolic eighteenth and nineteenth century genre paintings, depicting country life.

Serious beauty, I was lagging behind my hosts on this walk and saw a lovely cow, grazing on grass which I’m certain had been infused with absinthe. I fell in love here, this land and it’s beauty, the Irish are inspirational. I participated in Clifden arts week. My dear friend Joanna Galloway operates Hair Gallery on Bridge street and she sponsored my exhibition. And so for one amazing week I was able to meet and greet people, read my stories and show my work. In the evenings I went to gigs in the pubs of Clifden and was treated to a musical feast. Electric Jazz, Country, Folk and Irish Traditional, It was truly an honor to participate in this event and I had a super time.

This is one of the pieces I exhibited, it is a representation of a deer being hunted by wolves, it’s a synthesis inspired by the form lines of pacific northwest coast art, celtic knot work, mathematics and retinal color theory.

Also for the first time ever, I exhibited the complete collection of scanning electron micrographs, of the worlds smallest book. ‘Teeny Ted from Turnip Town- a success story’ was written by my brother, Malcolm Douglas Chaplin and designed and published by me. I'm glad that I saved the premier exhibition of this for Ireland, as the most significant part of the story happens on Blooms Day.

On the Last Friday of Clifden Arts Week there was a fantastic parade. It's a celebration and the craic is mighty! The parade is a kaleidoscope of color and imagination. I hope to return to Clifden as soon as possible, to stay for as long as I can. Shout out to Joanna, Simon, and Catherine. Word.

An Object Lesson in Macro-Economics

2011-07-07T20:36:00.000-07:00

what is this mysterious object ? this sphere of hematite carved by my hand using diamonds and water? The designs are inspired by the backside of a Greenback, American dollar bill and circumscribed with magic text. “Made round to go round”, Something my Father used to say about money. An object lesson in macro-economics, perchance to help with quantitative easing?

My Grandfather said, “ you can’t spend yourself rich” and, “ the next depression would be high priced ”. He was right of course, the elderly very often are. The US government is printing money faster than anyone can spend it. The effect is that it costs more to buy anything. It’s not that things have increased in value, rather that the money is very very cheap. Fiat money never survives long, a symptom of a regime in decay.

This stone is a crystal of iron oxide, yet it will never rust. When Hematite is carved it makes blood red dust. It can be magnetized and it’s hardness is about 5 1/2 on Mohs scale. It is a durable, hard stone, carving and it will remain intact until the sun consumes the inner planets. Metaphysicians believe this stone has grounding properties. With money and metaphysics, grounding has value.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer

Free Range Democracy: Leaf in the Wind

2011-06-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

What happened in Vancouver last night ? Our team lost a hockey tournament, and we tore our city apart in angry rampage. A riot, poor sportsmanship and free range democracy, we can only blame ourselves.

And so I present, my latest carving, a ‘Leaf in the Wind’, an individual carried by current, without intention. People are a bit like that and one at a time is no problem. This work was made of basalt, carved by my hand, using diamonds and water. I wanted to create the illusion that hard stone could be weightless, that a leaf could be thin and light and carried by the spiral form currents of turbulence.

Some may pick up a hard stone and throw it through a window, I choose to carve something interesting. Most people are unfamiliar with work like this, it has a production value similar to dentistry. And in the end, I believe it’s more worthwhile than looting and rioting.

private collection: John Taylor
photo credit: Peter Lattimer

Amuse-Bouche De Roi

2011-06-03T07:34:00.000-07:00

LONG LiVE OUR KiNG LET’S CELEBRATE
GASTOWN iS A CITY STATE
SiNG AND FEAST AND CELEBRATE
OUR KiNG iS GOOD OUR KiNG iS GREAT

There’s a crowned head in Gastown, and what Royal proclamation would be complete without a crown? Considering Gastown's historical relationship with the colonial Government of British Columbia and the Nation State of Canada, it's hardly surprising that Gastown has succeeded. That the Crown Commissioner of Gastown through his agency, saw fit to have me work upon this project for our King is a blessed miracle! and clearly illustrates the ancient relationship between Divine Right and Artistic License.

We will celebrate the Coronation with Amuse-Bouche De Roi. A festive tradtion for investing the King of Gastown. Long Live The King !

Crown Commissioner : Scott Hawthorn
Goldsmith: Karen Morrow
Casting: Jess Sarber
Leather Work: Ravi Pankhania
Photo Credit: Mel Yap

Political Geography...Somwhere on The Border

2011-04-25T18:30:00.000-07:00

Somewhere on the border between BC and Alberta, Bull Moose poses majestically in alpine vista with Grizzly Bear and Bighorn Sheep. If we look out on to the plains we can see a heard of Bison and a sky full of birds in flight. Life here is good, despite a federal election, and I thank the power of Creation that my animal friends maintain a certain kind of respect for Political Geography.

This 40”x 60” brush drawing was commissioned by architect, snowflake sponsor, and friend Gair Williamson. Further, my nature pictures are not cartoons, and so all of my animal friends sport the gifts of creation. Bear has mighty teeth, Birds have wings, and Bull Moose has magnificent antlers.

Photo Credit: Mel Yap

What’s in a Book ? - isbn 978-1-894897-25-9

2011-02-12T23:36:00.000-08:00

What’s in a book ? and anyways, why are books so magical ? I've some thoughts on the matter and may at this point share them.

A book is a containment system for knowledge. Whether it be a clay tablet, scroll, codex or electronic application; a book is a compartmental unit of specific information. The information contained may be of any level of importance, everything and anything; understanding modern plumbing, instructions for burning witches, recipes for delicious cakes and pies, poetry, history, nonfiction, and fairy tales. Irregardless of relevance, form or content, engaging with a book is an act of revelation. Open up the covers, and we are in, experiencing the word, entertained, and enlightened.

This wise stuff aside, the book in codex form has another, more inappropriate function. It can be used to conceal an object. This old chestnut... take a big book in hard covers, one seldom opened, commonly the Bible. Open the book and cut holes in the pages , until you have created enough usable space, to hide something important. Place your secret object in the book, close the covers, and place the book on a bookshelf. Excellent! you have successfully hidden the goods in a manner no one will ever suspect.

Now that I've given you the background information, this is what you are looking at. A book, a medal, my latest publication: The Robert Reid Medal, to be precise. The medal was commissioned by the Alcuin Society and named after Robert Reid, a pioneer in Canadian book design. Presented nationally, the Robert Reid Medal celebrates lifetime achievement in book creation. The design was carved by my hand then cast in bronze at the studio of my colleague Jess Sarber. After the medals were cast, each one was hand finished by me. This work was completed in an edition of 25 with 5 artists proofs.

Regarding the revelatory and concealing power of books, it seemed most fitting, to encase each medal in this manner. Within this context the medal becomes a dimensional illustration, and since I've taken to publication as an act of contemporary art, it would be reasonable to assign an ISBN to this project. The book itself consists of an essay written by Yosef Wosk, regarding the value of a life spent in creation. The typography was designed electronically, burned into polymer plates, then printed and bound at Black Stone Press. A purpose built and published work to simultaneously protect and reveal a lifetime of excellence.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer

robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca

The Royal Canadian Snowflake Collection

2010-08-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

The Royal Canadian Snowflake Collection came to me in the vision of a flurry, wind hustling silver snowflakes, swirling, dancing, everlasting. Every snowflake in the collection is sculpted by my hand, then permanently cast in sterling silver. The collection is produced exclusively through sponsorship, like discovering a new star, sponsors get to name their snowflake.

Sponsors receive the first snowflake cast, to keep or give to a friend. The first snowflake is signed and delivered, as a pendant or lapel pin, it's name engraved on the back. The pictorial collection is updated periodically, each snowflake pictured includes the name of the sponsor and the name of their snowflake. We are all Royal Canadians and sponsoring a snowflake is easy, to find out more please visit. http://royalcanadiansnowflake.com

photo credit: Peter Lattimer

-© Robert Chaplin admmx. copy cats are dirty rats
* Hats off to Wilson Bentley, for inspiration and a life well spent.

Faire Dodo, perchance to dream... in sterling

2010-08-13T17:29:00.000-07:00

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have heard it said that, “faire dodo” means nighty-night in french.

Regarding the sterling Dodo, at some point I published ‘The Last Dodo’, complete with cast sterling medal, isbn, rhyme and dedication. The text portion of this work was reproduced in ‘Brussels Sprouts & Unicorns’. Here’s a taste of the medal for your perusal, The model was first carved in hematite, by my hand using diamonds and water, it was then cast in sterling , hand finished, then signed. Each and every dodo is slightly different, an original work of art, to be worn as jewelry. Own one, if it pleases you...

for $180.00 Canadian Dollars
* shipping included

photo credit: Peter Lattimer

robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca

Bull Moose in Alpine Space: Magna Carta du Canada

2010-08-04T08:51:00.001-07:00

Magna Carta du Canada. Let the free and wild peoples of this nation reign supreme. Let the majesty of wild lands blind all suburban vision. Let taxation be paid directly to the land which sustains us; to the mountains, plains, forests, rivers, lakes, streams, and seas. Let the seed of legend be planted in wilderness, that we might hunt together and build a society, which is as elegant as the trees, and as happy as my animal friends.

This 40”x 60” brush drawing depicts Bull Moose in Alpine Space; it is the result of a conversation I had with my friend, patron , and colleague, Peter Lattimer. You may notice this picture has a lot of wild space, and that it has been populated with my favorite Canadian animal friends. Beaver is sitting on his lodge, Grizzly mother and cub are taking the time to reflect, Mountain Goat is overlooking the entire vista, while the birds migrate left. Complete with teeth, antlers, horns, and tails, my animals are anatomically correct; after all this is fine art, which means respect has to be paid to naturalistic representation.

Photo Credit: Mel Yap

robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca

cribbageridoo

2010-07-14T20:45:00.001-07:00

So it's summer and you’re in Canada. Some people drink Gin & Tonic, while others throw lawn darts. Some people play horse shoes, swim, sun bathe naked, or drink beer & fight the black flies. There’s fishing, and hang gliding, and hiking and then; there’s the Bad Assest, grand daddy, of all pastimes... Cribbage. What better way to while away those too hot summer nights than in an intoxicated, card counting, rhyme timing, stupor ? It’s a backwoods groove, fifteen two fifteen four, and the rest don’t score ... fifteen six , fix, and the rest don’t mix...“honey, are we all out of mix ? ”

Speaking of mix here’s ‘Cribbageridoo’ a Cribbage board I worked on with my friend Jim Smerdon, I’d do anything for that man. He is truly remarkable, and when he asked me to help him with this project, I immediately agreed. After Jim and I wrangled the wood, Jim cut it to length and drilled all of the holes, then he gave it to me for a paint job. I was as surprised by the final results as anyone, and ultimately pleased with the Abo-critter dream time vibe. Complete with some new Cribbage rhymes, skunk-punk, Funky Monkey Double Skunkie, Finish in victory, ants in your pants, everyone does the finishing dance.

Thanks Jim.

Photo Credit: Jim Smerdon

robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca

Minted Proof...

2010-06-05T19:57:00.000-07:00

This ancient silver coin is a hobo nickel, adjusted for inflation; it was minted in Canada, circa the mid 20th century. That was a long time ago, and back then we could still see majestic herds of wild Unicorn running along by the sea. The Unicorn range is much smaller now and the population is protected by the Royal Canadian Government. Making a token effort to prevent the extinction of this noble beast.

Fifty Cent Pieces are treasured and hoarded by Canadians, who feel this coin carries with it’s provenance, a value greater than it’s denomination. I added value to this fifty cent piece by first, grinding and polishing one side, then I engraved it with the oath from ‘Brussels Sprouts & Unicorns’. Simultaneously an objet d’art, and minted proof of the existence of Unicorns. You can specify the date of the coin, anything minted before 1967 is made of silver.

If it pleases you I'll make one and deliver it
for $ 360.00 Canadian dollars

The Carrot & The Stick Routine

2010-05-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

Carrot and stick, stick and carrot; simultaneously they speak to Pavlovian response conditioning and the general theory of rabbit hunting. That said, this will be a 24 karat lesson in gold, and just how to determine, how much gold is in that thing anyways ? It’s grade 5 math, so don’t worry if you get bored and start doodling or looking out the window. 24 karat is for all intents and purposes, 100% gold, expressed as a fraction this is 24/24. When you look at a piece of jewelry you might see a stamp denoting the purity of gold. 18k, 14k, 10k are pretty often seen, and expressed as fractions, these are 18/24, 14/24, and 10/24 respectively. These fractions can be converted to percentages. If you know the weight of a piece of gold jewelry, and the percentage of gold that is in it, you can easily calculate how much gold there is. Try it sometime, it’s fun.

Sometimes we forget our friends in the vegetable kingdom. My friend Jesse Sarber, kindly suggested that I make a carrot to go with my other precious metal vegetables. And so I did, this unique creation is a necklace, made from colored gold and sterling silver. The carrot is made from 9k rose gold and 14k green gold. The central stick is 16k yellow gold, the toggle ring is 14k yellow gold, and the stick chain is sterling silver. I sculpted the carrot and leaf bail in epoxy resin, then cast them using the lost wax method. The sticks for the chain were found in trees, and then cast using the lost stick method. The lost stick method is interesting, as it guarantees that no two pieces will ever be the same. Delicious, free range, organic jewelry, made by my hand, for your enjoyment.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer

robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca

Goliath: Humble Beginnings

2010-05-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

What good is art, if it is not a language one can use to back talk a Renaissance master or carry on the conversation with cave painters ? I got it in my head to sculpt ‘Goliath’, that means I get to go head to head with ‘David ’, it’s biting off a lot, and these are my humble beginnings. I'm building the armature with cardboard, packing tape, and hot glue, Michelangelo never had it so good :) it is my plan to do as much as I can with these materials, before putting on the “skin”, using space age epoxy resin, further, it is my intention to cast ‘Goliath’ as a monumental bronze.

Goliath was the champion of the Philistines, and there is only one thing to be done with a head. I’ll be updating this project with subsequent posts so you can monitor my progress.

Photo Credit: Mel Yap

robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca
-© Robert Chaplin admmx. copy cats are dirty rats

Good Books Well Made

2010-04-07T00:53:00.000-07:00

This is the coat of arms of the Alcuin society, the motto is Latin for “good books well made”. The Alcuin Society recognizes excellence in book design with an annual competition. Mostly in celebration of fine books and rare letterpress productions, the chief exception being the children’s books category. All of the publishers in Canada submit their kids books to this competition, this year there was 53 titles in the running. I submitted ‘Brussels Sprouts & Unicorns’ and am pleased to report that it placed first. Thanks to Sian Pairaudeau, and Scott Hawthorn, for helping me publish this book. Also, thanks to Leah Gordon for organizing the competition.

robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca
-© Robert Chaplin admmx. copy cats are dirty rats

Goat, Judas Goat

2010-01-30T19:19:00.000-08:00

I painted a text mural at Judas Goat Taberna. It's Gastown, what can I say, who can argue with Blood Alley ? it's a great place. Interesting views of the city's very own ornamental hermitage, from the comfort of clean well lit spaces, and fine dining. My writing sometimes poses difficulty for the uninitiated so the following comprises the body of text; it speaks to the problems faced by judas goats, when government regulations protect corporate interests, with respect to food production.

Goat, Judas Goat. Pleased to meet you. Welcome to my place. Please sit down, have a drink, and a bite to eat. Enjoy yourself, relax. You deserve it. It’s rough out there, and I ought to know. I had a nervous breakdown, victim of my own success really. On stress leave, and thinking about rolling this into a sweet retirement. It was simple back in the day, when farmers were allowed gate sales, the meat you ate came from one animal. Every so often I would lead a herd of spring lamb to the truck or a few cows to the slaughterhouse. Things got busy later, operations got bigger, increased demand and I was working steady, every day busy. The money was good, up at Seven, get my stink on, take a load of sheep to the truck, move 30 head of cattle, break for lunch, then back for more cows, a coffee, a few more sheep, and knock off at five for a cold one. Like I said, the money was good. Then one day, THEN ONE DAY!! The government changed the laws, no more gate sales, each and every animal slaughtered had to be taken to an abattoir. I was working insane hours. No lunch. No coffee. They upsized and I was head of the largest department in history. Crazy making. Up at four thirty, meet the team by teleconference. Each moving six hundred head of cattle by seven. Don’t even mention the sheep. Millions, literally. The stress was giving me an ulcer. By the time the cows went nuts, I walked. We take it slow here, it’s peaceful. The food is good. The company is excellent.

Globe Review
-© Robert Chaplin admmx. copy cats are dirty rats

GANjA CLAUSE - ISBN 1-894897-11-0

2009-10-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

GANjA CLAUSE: THE GREEN MAN
A TWENTY-FiRST CENTURY ADDiTiON TO THE HiNDU PANTHEON

Not wanting to acquire cannabinoid induced schizophrenia, I gave up the leaf for Lent. That said, at one point I studied art history and learned how to write in the academic style. Having always been interested in the Green Man, it seemed appropriate to make this version, like some baked hybrid of Bob Marley & The Bhagwan. This hard stone objet d’art was carved by my hand using diamonds and water. Made from a Shiv lingam, it represents a personification of the hemp plant, for these reasons it would be reasonable to make claim that.This green man, ‘Ganja Clause’, is the western most incarnation of Shiva. Through morphological, theological, and whimsical associations ‘Ganja Clause’ makes a fitting contemporary addition to Hindu mythology.

Morphology:
Fertility is associated with Shiva, and the phallus or lingam is accepted as a symbol of Shiva *. ‘Ganja Clause’ was carved from a Shiv-lingam, a stone, composed of crypto-crystaline quartz.These stones are found only in the Narmada river in India, a sacred site of pilgrimage **. The stones are only accessible in the dry season and are hand shaped to harmonious proportions. The shape represents the male principal, Lingam*. The coloration in the stone occurs naturally and represents the female principal, Yoni*. When carving ‘Ganja Clause’, I worked with the natural coloration of the stone to accentuate the design. The red end and yellow banding in the stone were incorporated into a hat; while the bulk of the stone, being green, was used to define the visage and hempy hair.
* Roy C Craven
*Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom
* Vatsayana/Burton
*ibid

Theology:
Cannabis use is associated with Shiva in the Hindu Religion.*
The Hindu God head is composed of Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu. Brahma the creator, Shiva the destroyer, and Vishnu the preserver. Shiva is the god, in whose domain exists all manner of calamity and good time. The ritual use of cannabis in combination with tantric sex originates at some point in medieval India. Vedic scripture makes mention of a sacred nectar, Amrita. This may have originally been a species of psychedelic mushroom, but was replaced by cannabis between the 7th -11th centuries*. The marijuana is mixed into a yogurt milkshake called a bhang-lasse, and combined with yoga and tantric sex.
* Schultes, Hofman
* Aldrich

Whimsy:
Ganja Clause is the western most incarnation of Shiva, he has two green thumbs. Thumbs up for the crop, Thumbs down for the law. Green and leafy are his dreads and beard, his hempy hat is red and gold. Ganja Clause has a secret grow-op located in the far west, where his little helpers Tokey, Munchie, and Giggles, help to harvest and separate the buds from the shake. After each harvest Ganja Clause loads up his El Camino and delivers to all the good boys and girls. Ganja Clause is far too busy to check any lists, so everyone remember to be nice please. Ganja Clause is winking because he has a Mrs. Ganja Clause, who is a juicy fruit, just like Watermelon. *

Bibliography:

* Roy C Craven
Indian Art. p16
Thames and Hudson Ltd. London, 1976
ISBN O-5OO-2O146-3
* Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom
Lucasfilm, 1984
* The Kama Sutra of Vatsayana
Translated by Richard Burton 18OO

* Richard Evans Schultes, Albert Hofmann
Plants of the Gods, p 92
Healing Arts Press, Rochester, VT, 1992
ISBN O89281-979-O
*Aldrich, Michael R.
tantric Cannabis Use in India.
J. Psychedelic Drugs 9(3):227-233. 1977

* Watermelon
Cannabis Culture, #5O: Cover. 2OO4
Vancouver, BC.
ISSN 1497-8237
* Watermelon
High Times, #3O1: Cover. 2OOO
New York, NY.
ISSN O362-63OX

robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca
-© Robert Chaplin admmiv. copy cats are dirty rats

Brussels Sprout Magic (contemporary art as genre)

2009-07-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

‘The Brussels Sprout Testimonial’ isbn 1-894897-09-9

“Sing and shout and dance about,
there's magic in the Brussels sprout,
boiled up and served in butter,
baked into a pie,
I love to eat the Brussels sprout,
to go without would make me cry.

Have faith and never ever doubt,
there's magic in the Brussels sprout,
in cheese sauce or in minestrone,
I will stand and Testify,
I love to eat the Brussels sprout,
to go without I'd rather die!” *

This Sterling Silver Brussels Sprout is given out as an award every year by my excellent friend Barbara-Jo. It is to honor and celebrate excellent cuisine and literature, and is given to the chef who makes the best cookbook. Since this award began in 2007, it has been given to:
Matthew Stowe, ‘ The Tastes of Sonora Resort ’
Jennifer McLagan,‘ Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient, With Recipes ’
John Bishop, ‘ Simply Bishop’s ’
Vikram Vij, ‘Vij’s: ‘ Elegant and Inspired Indian Cuisine ’

This precious metal vegetable is also made available to private collectors, and is currently priced at $800.00. To order yours and become a silver sprout farmer, simply contact me by email robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca

photo credit: Jennifer McLagan

*-rhyme available in ‘Brussels Sprouts & Unicorns- library edition’
-© Robert Chaplin admmx. copy cats are dirty rats

PROOViNG THE EXiSTENCE OF UNiCORNS

2009-05-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

Testimonial evidence of Brussels Sprouts and Proof of the existence of Unicorns. They Live in Canada, & once you've sworn the oath you will be able to see Unicorns in the most surprising places, My friend Sian saw one at the passport office ! In any event, the book launch was a success. To see more Brussels Sprouts and Unicorns please visit www.libraryeditions.com

robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

OFFiCiAL SELECTiON

2009-05-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

Ten Counting Cat -The motion picture from robert chaplin on Vimeo.

This is the Michigan Theatre, it’s in Ann Arbor Michigan. Home of the world renowned Ann Arbor Film Festival. I was very lucky to be able to attend this festival, as it so happened to be that my film, ‘Ten Counting Cat-the motion picture’ was selected for screening. This was the world premiere of my first film, and my first film festival. Over the course of a week I met many excellent people and made friends in Ann Arbor. When in Ann Arbor I stayed at the home of Roland Neynaber, a most excellent host. I fell in love with the community, this was a truly unforgettable experience...

I had help making my film and would like to thank those people on my blog. Hobo Divine, Bill Schwarz, Lisa Ovens, Laurie MacMillan, Scott Bucsis, Sue Hill, Lorne Jee, Blessing Mubaiwa, Clayton Gunguwo, Lance Burger, Bardel Animation and The NFB. I could not have attended the film festival if it had not been for the generosity of my excellent friend, patron, & partner in crime, Lisa Southam.

Photo Credit: Roland Neynaber
robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

THE ANCESTORS LiKED iT, WE STiLL DO

2009-01-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

Elegance, it would be my greatest pleasure to express, in stone and theme, the feelings which move us to rapture, peals of laughter, tears of joy, and quiet satisfaction. However, this post concerns much darker magic. And so, let’s cast our thoughts to more occult practices, shamanism, and the markets...

Upon close inspection, beyond the mathematics and technical jargon, the markets are filled with rich mythology. The language of magic, superstition abound. A “ dead cat bounce ” happens after a stock has hit bottom, but before it goes completely flat.“ The Bear ” is the market going down , “ The Bull ” is the market going up. Then there is the “ triple witching hour ”, on “ triple witching day ” , when all hell breaks loose. Face reality, market speculation is a form of gambling; so if you’re going down that path, you will need all the luck you can muster, and the stones to follow the timeless edict, “ buy when there is blood in the street” -Baron Rothschild

These carvings in hematite, were made by my hand, using diamonds and water. This bear and bull are talismans, animist representations of the binary godhead of the market. They are carved in three dimensional relief and signed by my trademark. Please note, the peaceful and joyous expressions. Free from the anxiety, which has of late caused the ruin of many traders: the bull is at peace because selling gives one liquid freedom, the bear is happy because the sweetness of the trade is determined at the point of purchase, the good deal.

Since it is levity which is the seed of inspiration, these works make use of visual puns. The bull has maximum scrotal circumference because it takes “ balls ” to work the markets, and when ranchers buy bulls, this is the most important measurement. The bear has a cute bear bum, because sometimes you have to “ cover yours ” if you want to survive. To hold the entire market in the palm of your hand is a powerful value. Name your price Dear Trader, these works are for you to enjoy, in prosperity and good health.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer

robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca

Globe and Mail
-Timothy Taylor

-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

Publish books and live smarter

2009-01-04T15:47:00.000-08:00

Indulge me on this one and maybe I'll tell you a tale, a story populated by prancing pirates and sensitive cannibals. not likely ! At this publisher’s house we deal only with the big picture stories, important works of ultra educational literature. So word to the hopeful, don’t pester me with insipidity, if you have something that’s really good, I’ll look. If I send you a rejection slip, it’s going to have instructions for how to get an isbn so you can do this publishing thing for yourself. You see, that is what I’ve been doing, and now I have my own imprint. Publishers often whine about it being a tough business, and maybe that’s true, but at this point I’d like to weigh in on the discussion. It seems to me that the industry is polarizing, big house media conglomerates on one hand, and a plethora of little houses just trying to eek a living on the other hand. It seems to me that we all have to pull together a little bit. We have to produce lean, high quality material, we also must find inventive ways to bring our work to the public. A book is a form of treasure! This was true, when King Francis I established the original legal deposit library, it is just as true today. I sell books to stores, libraries, schools, and individuals; from my website, and out of my backpack. My house is as good as it’s titles. Would that our industry adopt my standards and practices, we might well save trees, and space in landfills.

I'm proud of my latest publication, ‘ Delicious Chicken Soup’ by Andrey Durbach. We had the launch at Barbara-Jo's Books to Cooks, and it was most successful. This childrens book for ages 8-188, teaches all people, young and old, how to make delicious chicken soup properly from scratch. In light of our current economic circumstances, I'd argue that this work is more important than the Gutenberg bible. This is not chicken soup for your soul, it is chicken soup for your whole, to nourish your body and keep you alive.

Reviews:
“Sublime, Literally”
-William Gibson
Globe and Mail Review
-Rebecca Tay
CBC radio
-Margaret Gallagher
Scout Magazine
-Michelle Sproule
Available:
at quality bookstores
and from my publishing house
http://l ibraryeditions.com
*wholesale to the trade

robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

the moon revisited

2009-01-02T21:26:00.000-08:00

‘‘There's a rocketship leaves here
each day at noon,
not too expensive,
it goes to the moon.
Where it's lovely to picnic,
on warm days, in June...
But In July and August
there are too many damn tourists.

There's a rocketship leaves here
each evening at nine
it goes to the moon,
There's great places to dine.
On pairings of cheese
and white lunar wine.
And its more fun with you...
so don't freak out”

Further to previous lunar exploration; this work represents the face of the moon, carved by my hand using diamonds and water, in a lovely piece of picture jasper. On the darkside you can see a cutaway exposing the tide controls, hinting at the solution to the exquisite mystery of the lunar connection to the tide; the local motion found in all water, including seas and lakes, ponds and rivers, even the water found in the cells of plants and the blood which moves through our veins. Little wonder the ancients established a link between the moon and our emotional state, that the study of the moon lead to the first attempts at understanding madness and romantic love. Currently I’m over the moon, but promise to show you the rabbit after my next visit.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer

collection : Jess Sarber

robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca
-© Robert Chaplin admmix. copy cats are dirty rats

Robert Chaplin Vs Garry Kasparov

2008-10-24T21:53:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, the world was a place where tall tales reigned supreme and great men walked upon the earth. These great men ascended by virtue of their gifts, focus, and dedication; lumberjacks, steel drivin’ men, and chess masters. Now I'm an ordinary man, I make things, and some of them turn out well. This chess set I’ve designed in Lego seems to fit that bill, and this is me getting my ass kicked by Garry Kasparov .

The really cool thing about playing Kasparov is that, you can have no expectation of victory, so there's no pressure. He started playing chess when he was a very little boy. Kasparov’s young mind wrapped itself around the secrets of the game, and this process formed the consciousness of the man sitting across the table from me. The thing about focus on a single activity at a young age, is that it creates people who can do things very well, and this experience can inform lateral thinking. Garry Kasparov has retired from professional chess and is now active in Russian politics, his understanding of situations is sublime.

I flew to Toronto to meet Kasparov and deliver his Lego chess set; this happened on Monday morning, it came about because my family loves me, and I’ve made some damn good friends. I taught Kasparov the secrets of Lego chess, how to take the set apart , put it away, and how to move the men using the piece picker. From Kasparov, I learned about the traditional board orientation, and that you can’t castle out of check. Getting a lesson, and high praise from a giant feels pretty good :) Nothing can replace the play of chess, in real time, on an actual set, with an actual human. Now you can play chess like Kasparov, anywhere, anytime.

to: books{at}robertchaplin{dot}ca
* price includes shipping

Photo Credit: Taralea Cutler

articles
Globe and Mail
-Timothy Taylor
Globe and Mail
-Timothy Taylor

My suit: Modernize Tailors.
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

‘Real Wooden Robot’ ...Oh Canada

2008-10-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

Oh Canada! I’m not political, and today I had to exercise my legal right to participate in an advanced democracy. I don’t support any political parties, and I have publicly admitted to ballot spoiling. I always make a drawing on my ballot, with the secret hope that one day a ballot counter will exercise some lateral thinking and “collect” some art. This election was no different than the last one, however... After reviewing the quality of this election’s candidates, I was struck by the notion that , Democracy is alright, but we really ought to use some softer paper for the ballots. I don’t understand why the whole process is not electronic.

Now everybody say, “ Real Wooden Robot ” five times fast, it's even harder than Chinese arithmetic.‘ The Real Wooden Robot ’ is contemporary treen, old timey, made from wood, ‘cause wood is good. Constructed with the finest tree fort craftsmanship; ‘ The Real Wooden Robot ’ is a working machine, it will open your beer. Fully articulated for freestanding domestic work, suitable for the tasteful decoration of any home or office; ‘ The Real Wooden Robot ’ doesn’t make boring speeches, or recommend Crown commissions. ‘ The Real Wooden Robot ’ does what it does, It opens beer, and validates the good feelings of all people everywhere. Finally, unlike elections, with paper ballots and cardboard booths,‘ The Real Wooden Robot ’ has a very small ecological footprint, simply owning one gets you valuable carbon credits. So you can feel less guilty about driving a gas sucking pig, pouring your old turpentine down the sink, or spoiling your ballot.

I got some help building my Robot from Val. Val knows how to use a saw to cut big wood, and manages the workshop across from the Chape l. Val likes the things I make and had a good laugh when she saw the The Real Wooden Robot ’ finished.

Photo Credit: Laurie MacMillan

-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

HOT POTATO aka Old Four Eyes

2008-10-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

The ‘Hot Potato’ has four eyes, and sees
through lies, and answers questions which arise...

What is Hematite ?
What is the Eye of Horus ?
What are the fashions in Potato Bug Country ?
What is the Hot Potato Game ?
What is the Illuminati ?
Who are the Freemasons ?
What is Mr Potato Feeling ?
Where can I find a good optometrist ?
Where can I study conspiracy theory ?
When is Now ?
Why is that freaky eye and pyramid on the backside of a greenback ?
How do I grow a potato ?
How do I build a spud gun ?

This objet d'art, in hematite, was carved by my hand using diamonds and water.
A mysterious process indeed.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

Hello Ookpik, my old friend.

2008-09-21T19:51:00.001-07:00

There was a time in this fair land when the arctic influences ran wild, as a child, it seemed that I couldn't turn around without spying Ookpik. Ookpiks everywhere, made from just about everything, once I even saw an Ookpik made from a taxidermied caribou rump. And then, one day when I wasn't looking, Ookpik disappeared. Whatever happened to Ookpik ? When I pulled this rock from the Bulkley River, in northern BC, I thought I saw my old friend Ookipik. Carved by my hand from felthispasic sandstone, this piece has a natural quartz ring separating the head from the body. It was glued together at creation, by mother nature, using the heat and the pressure which made the world. Notes: Ookpik is Inuktitut for Snowy Owl; to find out more about snowy owls, arctic art history, and arctic culture, simply follow the links.
Snowy Owls: hinterland who's who
Inuktitut syllabary ᑎᑎᕋᐅᓯᖅ ᓄᑕᐊᖅ
Jeannie Snowball ate an Ookpik
* footnote Douglas Coupland
Arctic Studies, Smithsonian
* Hobo Divine

photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

The Double Dingle Jingle Plunger - For those with aural fixations: isbn 0-968818-30-7

2008-08-26T14:55:00.000-07:00

Is there a plumber in the house ? Way back in the days of my great grandfather M. Duchamp put a toilet in a museum and called it art. Citing this precedent, I figured that I could possibly put a plunger, in the national library and call it a book...so I did. At the turn of the century, I published an actual toilet plunger, complete with jingle bells, an ISBN, and a piece of potty poetry bound to the handle with an elastic band. If you click on ‘The Double Dingle Jingle Plunger ’ you can see the actual catalogue information at Library and archives Canada.

Behold, and witness the miracle of creation. Cast in solid bronze, complete with copper clapper; this is the 10th anniversary edition of, ‘The Double Dingle Jingle Plunger’. Not wanting to have my acheivement eclipsed by the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, I'm releasing this a year early. A perfectly pitched potty plunger for your perusal and quiet enjoyment.

Powered by : Salt
Copper Clapper Casting : Jesse Sarber
Photo Credit: Lara Hill

* newspaper article Edmonton Journal
Photograph by
Kirsten Reite

What is the difference ?

2008-08-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

Between Craft and Art ? I know, and this is it. A craftsman works in one tradition, achieving perfection through skill and artifice. An artist works with whatever is available and does the best he can. I'm not a craftsman, although my work may be well crafted. I see equal value in form and content, and believe a work must have at least enough of each, to achieve the basic objective. To satisfy this premise, “a good work of art needs only to simultaneously stimulate and relax the mind” - Charles Murray Chaplin. And so, I present this piece, an organic exploration, carved by my hand using diamonds and water, in mushroom green adventurine quartz. This work represents the mythological synthesis of sexuality, an hermaphrodite*. Like some strange creature living beneath the sea, neither animal nor vegetable, but something like both. This work provides gentle humour and fascination to some who pick it up, while perplexing, and disturbing those inhibited or weak of mind. This sculpture was collected by my excellent friend Melanie Carlson, who uses it as litmus test, to gauge compatibility of humour.
*It seems the term “hermaphrodite”, when applied to people, is both inaccurate and offensive. For persons who live in the physiological spectrum between genders, the correct term is “intersex”. Although these persons would probably prefer to be called by their actual names.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

Flying Bird... Saying Goodbye is Hard

2008-08-02T14:50:00.000-07:00

In mythology, the Soul, or Atman is represented by a bird. And so I made this ring design, a bird in flight, in rose gold. I've posted it today, to honour the memory of Fenwick Lansdowne.

Fenwick Lansdowne was my colleague, a fellow rca, sadly now he is gone. Fenwick spent his childhood in a Japanese prison camp, he contracted polio, and lost the use of one side of his body. Fenwick raised a family and painted birds perfectly. Fenwick began painting birds while very young, and he finished at almost seventy-one. A life well lived indeed !

photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

Testimonial Evidence

2008-07-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Anne Ainsley ! my friend, whose simply mad about Romans. This piece which I've made in Basalt, Tourmaline, 18karat gold, and an actual Roman coin, has been commissioned, Thanks to our beloved Dodo.

The coin was minted under Philip the Arab, the pagan warrior,
who ruled Rome from 244-249 AD. The Basalt carving was done by my hand; it represents ‘The Black Sun’, wonder of the ancients, the solar eclipse. In concert, these two items form a unique pendant, and provide testimonial evidence that ancient Romans enjoyed holidays in British Columbia. It is a well understood fact that Roman Emperors and high ranking citizens used to work in AD and vacation in BC. Coincidentally, the basalt on which this design is carved, was formed in BC and found in beautiful British Columbia.

In order to produce this work I had help from, my friend and colleague, Karen Morrow . I provided her with my basalt carving, tourmalines, the roman coin, and a working sketch. After some time, consideration, and effort, the resulting work of art shines in perfect existence, the evidence is right before your eyes.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

Danish Modern Travel Chess

2008-06-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

Lego is a toy, a wonderful, whimsical, readymade way to create things. And so, I've designed this actual sized travel chess, in Lego. It's contemporary art, built from recycled Lego, each set is unique and made to be permanent. The Lego has been welded together to form a board table and independent chess pieces. The game pieces are all stored inside the board table. The pieces use Lego technology to defy gravity, sticking them to the board. Play chess like Kasparov. Play on trains and in automobiles, space shuttle cruises and trips to the moon. Anytime, anywhere, the game is yours.

-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

photo credit: Peter Lattimer

Globe and Mail
-Timothy Taylor

The Kinder Gentler Knuckle Duster

2008-05-10T22:32:00.000-07:00

I'm no Angel and sometimes I find myself impecunious.
It usually seems though, that someone requires my services at these times, and once my friend Idar commissioned me to carve this bad ass skull ring. After I completed the master; Idar made a mould and finished one for his client in white gold, using black stones for the eyes. Afterwards Idar sent the mould to me and I made this one in rose gold. I've sold a few of these to really excellent people, I cast each ring on an individual basis and then carve and finish them by my hand. In this manner I can maintain the highest standards of quality, while providing original and beautiful work.
Photo Credit: Femke Van Delft
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

Spirit Bear aka Kid in a Bearsuit

2008-04-05T16:13:00.000-07:00

Carved this in Hematite aka Alaskan Black diamond.
Used diamonds and water. It turned out rather good and so I posted it for you to look at.
This piece was inspired by two of my favorite artists.
Hobo Divine, for the whimsy of his dream journals.
Andrea Tucker, for her kid in animal suit paintings.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

SUNSHiNE

2008-03-25T08:18:00.001-07:00

‘ SUNSHiNE ! ’ ‘Cause it’s springtime, There’s Cherry blossoms, and spring fever. and sunshine. So check out this 18 k gold pendant. It is made with two colors of gold, yellow and white, it is set with 4 lovely 5 point diamonds. The face was sculpted by me and then made using the lost wax method of casting. After I finished the metal face, I did design sketches and then gave the face, and the diamonds, to my friend Karen Morrow. Karen has a laser welder and was kind enough to help me assemble this project. A little ray of sunshine, the harbinger of spring .

photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

Full Moon Cocoon

2008-02-14T16:16:00.001-08:00

I'm sensitive to the things people tell me, and this piece speaks to the power of that. On a lighter note, There's a lot that can be said about Yellow Submarines, and 18 karat
eggs, the work of Carl Faberge, Russian Imperialism, Manifest Destiny, Chairman Mao, and the Man in the Moon. There's a lot that has been written concerning the Moon, lunacy, romance, and wonderful journeys.
If you can take his word as a gentleman, Baron Munchausen travelled to the Moon and enjoyed the hospitality of both it's crowned heads. Over one hundred years before Neil Armstong planted an American flag on Lunar soil, Edgar Allen Poe wrote a lovely story regarding 'The Unparalleled Adventures of Hans Pfall', a tale concerning the ingenuity of travelling to lunar destinations by way of hot air balloon. The renowned physicist, Dr Hayden, has assured me that If you ignore friction, it is possible to skip a fast moving automobile off of the horizon and drive to the Moon. Lunar mythology pre-dates civilization, and by the light of the moon we mark time, hunt, and make love... And so I carved this stone, 'the Full Moon Cocoon'.

This magical egg was made in 18 karat gold, the body of the work is yellow gold, with white gold accent porthole cover. My friend Karen Morrow made this egg, complete with hinges. The egg acts as nest and frame to this carving, which I've made, in the hard stone known as jasper. I produced this carving by my hand using diamonds and water, it represents the chrysalis from which the full moon emerges.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

A Book Review...In Scrimshaw

2008-02-03T15:05:00.000-08:00

Scrimshaw is an ancient art, an artist who makes scrimshaw is called a scrimshander. A scrimshaw is made by "scrimming" a design into bone or ivory, and then staining the scrim with pigment. In this way, neolithic artists decorated their bone implements, and jewelry.

Scrimshaw is most celebrated, by the contemporary world, as an archaic craft of sailors and whalers. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, scrimshaw was produced by sea faring men, to decorate ivory trade goods. Scrimshaw is widely collected in the United States of America, where it is claimed as the first "American" art form. Nowadays, whaling is largely obsolete and, scrimshaw has become something of a lost art.

I made this scrimshaw in whale ivory, which I'd acquired
at a pow wow . This piece records my review of
' Treasure Island ' by Robert Louis Stevenson...one of my favorite sea faring stories.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

UCKFA * OLiTEPA * OCiETYSA

2008-01-08T22:53:00.000-08:00

If I had a Hammer, I'd hammer all the folk song singers...just kidding. Who'd want to do that :) I carved this little hammer for a society I belong to, The New Vulgarians Society. We like to pick edulicious mushrooms, cook yummy food, and drink good whiskey. Unlike the Malleus Maleficarum, this hammer will be used for cheerful ceremonial purposes, as a gavel, scotch opener, garlic smasher, picture hanger, and last spike driver. While carving this commission, James Barber passed away. For those too young to remember, James Barber taught an entire generation of Canadians to cook. James liked cooking and eating, and had the scar on his chest to prove it. I met James at his home office a few years ago, we talked, about food, art, publishing and life. These things were on my mind while I carved, and maybe that is why James Barber appeared in my work. Somehow, I don't think James would mind sticking his tongue out at polite society, and officiating at the commencement of our feasts; on wild mushrooms, fine spirits, and all of the bounty, that which, only nature and ingenuity, can provide.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

I've Been Working on The Railroad

2008-01-05T18:47:00.000-08:00

What can I say... I have the best land lord in the whole world, Bernie! He set the whole thing up, so that I could make an appointment to speak with the chairman of the Canadian National Railway. I showed a piece of art that I'd made, entitled, 'King of The Railroad'. The Chairman liked my work, and ordered three of my carved Railway Spikes. With regard to semiology, I hand engraved actual railway spikes, with the CN logo, the owners name, and actual hobo signs. Railway spikes are made from high carbon steel. I engraved them using diamonds and water.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer

The Snow Flakes of Canada

2007-10-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

It's the snow really, the dread and deadly beauty of it. Each snowflake is unique, and even more ephemeral than the ones we cut from paper, as children in kindergarten. These snowflakes I've carved, using the graal technique, working with hot glass master Jeff Burnette, at Joe Blow Glassworks. I worked the glass cold, carving the snowflakes using diamonds and water. Jeff worked the glass hot, using a furnace, and molten glass. Together, we made these snowflakes to last forever. In Canada, special members of the canadian establishment are honoured, and given the Order of Canada. This honour is represented by the snowflake. All Canadians are eligable, except politicians and dead people. Nominate someone you know for an Order of Canada, It dosen't cost anything and makes a thoughtful Christmas present. This work in glass would also make a great Christmas gift, or a perfect addition to any serious collection of art glass.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer

King of the Railroad

2007-10-03T19:42:00.000-07:00

By my calculations, If the Roman Empire had railroads, people would have landed on the Moon by 1820. This is an actual railway spike. These things are made from carbon steel, and used to fasten the train tracks to the wooden railway ties. I carved the end of this one using diamonds and water. The design is classical, and incorporates latin scripture. “ Ferrum Via Rex Rgis”, the English translation is, "King of the Railroad".

photo credit: Peter Lattimer

“ What's In a Name ? ”

2007-09-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

Flowers have no expectations and are indifferent to admiration; their future is for certain, and in the moment of blossom, we celebrate the beauty, inhale the nectar, breathing in and out in harmony with these short and uncomplicated lives...
Can flowers last forever ? would Diamonds made From Roses smell as sweet ? Sweeter in fact. I carved this rose, on which my friend, John Nels Hatleberg, is displaying these fantastic coloured diamonds. These diamonds are real, and made by a miraculous process, guaranteed to be the most romantic, ethical, and beautiful of stones. If a diamond is forever; these rocks speak to the endurance of the human spirit, and its capacity for invention, goodness, and true love, throughout the universe, and in perpetuity.

Sacred Heart of Artichoke - isbn 978-1-894897-23-5

2007-09-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

Sacred Heart of Artichoke is a precious metal vegetable. The artichoke is a solid gold pin which can be worn as a lapel pin, brooch or tie pin. It is cast in 14 karat green gold. Colored gold is created by alloying gold with other metals, rose gold is made by alloying gold with copper, white gold happens when gold is alloyed with nickel, green gold occurs when gold is alloyed with silver.

The Sacred Heart of Artichoke pin was inspired by my excellent friend, Barbara-Jo. Barbara-Jo is the proprietrix of Canada's Largest Cook Book Store, Barbara-Jo's Books To Cooks. After acquiring several sterling Brussels Sprouts, Barbara-Jo asked If I could make an artichoke, and this is what I came up with. I hope you like the artichoke as much as Barbara-Jo. Like much of my art, this work has a literary component; delivered upon a prayer card featuring the beneficent image of Jesus Christ , the prayer for The Sacred Heart of Artichoke , and published complete with it's own international standard book number. Delicious, free-range, organic jewelry, made by my hand, for all whom we love.

Prayer: Sacred Heart of Artichoke

Sacred Heart of Artichoke
Guide me in contemplation
of the beauty found in your
divine proportions and
Teach me to savor the
ecstasy surrounding
your immaculate
consumption
amen

Photo Credit. Peter Lattimer

This lovely pin makes a suitable gift for apostate and practicing Catholics, Protestants, Brights, Atheists, Buddhists, Confucists, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Jains, Zoroastrians, Vegetarians, Young lovers, Newlyweds, Old folks, and people of good will everywhere. If you would like to own a ‘Sacred Heart of Artichoke’ or buy one for a friend, simply contact me or Barbara-Jo, the price is $300.00.

Three Stories About the Gold Buckskin Whincher isbn 978-1-894897-65-5

2007-06-29T07:46:00.000-07:00

Cabin Fever will drive a man mad; not much to do at that point except to roll with it, read and/or write some crazy beautiful books, and wait till spring. Re: Buckskin Whinchers, they are for luck. A figment of Carl Sandburg's * imagination, and written in the good book, ‘Rootabaga Stories’ there are ‘Three Stories About the Power of the Gold Buckskin Whincher’. In the Rootabaga Country it is well known that different whinchers have different powers. I'm the sole distributor of trademark Buckskin Whinchers they are made in durable silicon bronze with sterling whinching posts. and are produced under exclusive contract with the worlds largest manufacturer. Accept no substitutes! For good luck and great gold buckskin whinching get a trademark Buckskin Whincher. Made to go round, at the nice round price $360. add $20. for shipping.

Carl Sandburg was a Pulitzer prize winning poet, he wrote the book on Abraham Lincoln. Carl Sandburg was likely Chicago’s greatest native son, he understood that town’s mythology and dedicated it to word, in the following...

CHICAGO

HOG Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders:
They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I
have seen your painted women under the gas lamps
luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it
is true I have seen the gunman kill and go free to
kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the
faces of women and children I have seen the marks
of wanton hunger.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who
sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer
and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing
so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.
Flinging magnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on
job, here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against the
little soft cities;
Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning
as a savage pitted against the wilderness,
Bareheaded,
Shoveling,
Wrecking,
Planning,
Building, breaking, rebuilding,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with
white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young
man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has
never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse.
and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of
Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog
Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with
Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.

** Update 18 August 2008

My Friend, Michael Oved Dyan of Helliwell Pictures, gave a Trademark Buckskin Whincher to a monk in Tibet. The monk then went into solitary confinement, to meditate for three years, three months and three days, with nothing but his robes and a Trademark Buckskin Whincher.

World’s Smallest Book,‘Teeny Ted From Turnip Town’ isbn-978-1-894897-17-4

2007-04-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

Simon Fraser University, April 9, 2007

The world’s first, nanoscale book was published as a work of fine art, April 9, 2007 by Robert Chaplin at the Nano Imaging Facility of Simon FraserUniversity. This book, complete with an International Standard Book Number (ISBN-978-1-894897-17-4), is entitled ‘Teeny Ted From Turnip Town’. It was written by Malcolm Douglas Chaplin and is a fable concerning the success of Teeny Ted, from Turnip Town, and his victory in the Turnip contest at the annual county fair.
It is at present the world’s smallest published book.

The Robert Chaplin - SFU nanobook project was produced using a focused-gallium-ion beam with the assistance of Dr. Li Yang, and Dr. Karen L. Kavanagh of Simon Fraser University, located at the summit of Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby, BC. The gallium beam has a minimum diameter of 7 nanometers, and was programmed to carve the space surrounding each letter of a book. The book was typeset in block letters with a resolution of 40 nanometers, and is made up of 30 micro-tablets, each carved on a polished piece of single crystalline silicon. The carving of the letter forms invokes the look of ancient cuneiform tablets, the undisputed root of publication. The entire collection of micro-tablets is contained within an area of 69 x 97 microns square, with an average size of tablet being 11 x 15 microns square.

The ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ cites two records for very small books: The new testament of the King James Bible, (5 x 5 mm, MIT, 2001) and Chekhov’s ‘Chameleon’ (0.9 x 0.9 mm, Palkovic, 2002).‘Teeny Ted from Turnip Town’, is much smaller. This original publication has a total size of less than 0.07 x 0.10 mm. It is an exquisite work of contemporary art, available in a signature edition of 100 copies, from Robert Chaplin.

http://nanoimaging.sfu.ca/

http://robertchaplin.ca/

RiPLEYS BELiEVE iT OR NOT

'Minushka' - isbn 1-894897-21-8

2007-02-22T18:33:00.000-08:00

" Opera is beautiful because it's the only world where a person can actually be lucky enough to die from a broken heart." - Malcolm Douglas Chaplin

I survived a broken heart, and I used it as keen fuel to publish this exquisite collection of Russian Dolls. This is a photograph of all of them, a multicultural family, Sold in sets of five. These nesting dolls are in fact a novel form of book, a hand painted manuscript if you will. Each set of dolls has an ISBN, and contains a story, the outside doll is the cover and each nesting doll is a page, concluding with the last doll; on which is painted the last word. The story is a love poem , which would melt the panties off of Leonard Cohen *. I composed this work and painted the words on each doll. As a Publisher, I reserve the right to work with other talent and so the faces were painted by the incomparable Andrea Tucker, whom I retained to illustrate this work. There are eleven of copies of this manuscript in existence, each is an original work of art. I've sold through these, however; if you are a librarian or curator, with at taste for livre d'artiste, I will gladly connect you to one of my collectors .

* Just kidding about the Panties, Leonard Cohen is Canada's poet laureate. He has been appointed by popular consensus and will hold this designation for life.

Photography credit: Lauralee Gordon

' The Brussells Sprout Testimonial ' a monumental miniature actual size - isbn 1-894897-09-9

2007-02-21T09:26:00.000-08:00

What creature of this stature, in all of English common law, is so much loved and detested ? Those who love sprouts love to love them, those who hate sprouts love to hate them. We are united in our passion and few can feign indifference. Regarding the notion of scale, by and large considered by most asthetes, to be the primary focus of sculpture. Ponder this, how would it be possible to monumentalize a Brussels sprout ? For one that is huge, would be confused with the cabbage; and one that is too small, would not be very much at all. In solving this problem, I've made this monument to the Brussels Sprout on the kawaii side of actual size.
This photo was taken by my friend Mel Yap.

'The Brussels Sprout Testamonial'- isbn 1-894897-09-9
Sing and shout and dance about, there's magic in the Brussels sprout, boiled up and served in butter, baked into a pie, I love to eat the Brussels sprout, to go without would make me cry.
Have faith and never ever doubt, there's magic in the Brussels sprout, in cheese sauce or in minestrone, I will stand and Testify, I love to eat the Brussels sprout, to go without I'd rather die!

This precious metal vegetable was originally produced to celebrate love, for the wedding of my Friend Jonathan Wreglesworth. Available in Sterling and Bronze I raise the price by $50, each and every time one is sold, so check back to see the current price of sprouts.
Current Price $800.oo

Photo Credit: Mel Yap

Starry Night in Canada

2007-02-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

This is my ‘Starry Night’, It is an official NHL Hockey Puck , which I have carved and inlaid with gold. It is a contemporary objet d'art, decorated with a swirling spiral night, containing six stars and a golden moon. The design is carved in relief, within a circle, this type of composition is called a ‘Rondelle’. I have carved this word ‘Rondelle’ on the backside, as it also means ‘Puck’ in French.

My Grandmother & Her Moose, Molly

2006-12-10T20:52:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, in 1955, at Babine Lake, in beautiful northern British Columbia. My Grand mother, Laura Chaplin, had a pet moose, whose name was Molly. Molly was a good moose and learned to play shuffleboard and Canasta. Molly got so good at these games that she was eventually sent to live at a Game farm in Alberta. There Molly studied the secrets of chess and was eventually ranked higher than Marcel Duchamp.

The Chicken Egg Reccursion Generator

2006-12-10T20:48:00.000-08:00

Raven Transforming into a Lawyer - isbn 1-894897-13-7

2006-12-04T12:57:00.000-08:00

To negotiate within this hectic world, mired in the puzzles and conundrums of our age, it would befit the trickster to transform into a lawyer. This work of satire is carved in hematite, a hard stone, also known as Alaskan black diamond. Hematite, is a form of crystalline iron, FE03, it never rusts because it is already oxidized; obviously the perfect raw material for such a subject. I carved the master model sometime shortly after Delgamuukw vs The Queen. Occasionally I produce hand finished versions cast in silver, and copper, for those lawyers with an ironic sense of tradition.

The Crystal Cabbage

2006-12-02T22:11:00.000-08:00

The size of a small radicchio, behold the crystal cabbage. Gaze deeply into this crystal to accurately predict cabbage futures on the commodities exchange. For interesting reading, check out Edgar Allen Poe, ' The Devil in The Belfry' . This fantastic tale, quite likely provided the inspiration for 'The Crystal Cabbage'. An objet d'art carved by my hand, in lead crystal, using diamonds and water.
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

Dodos Ex Machina

2006-11-26T18:11:00.000-08:00

This is a photograph of the first Dodo bird I ever carved. I made this sculpture in obsidian, and carved it by removing material, using diamonds and water. It represents a Dodo Bird nesting on a machine. This sculpture has a kinetic element as, when one tips the work, an egg pops out of the other side of the machine. At the time I thought reverse engineering dodos would be a way to resurrect the species. This sculpture resides in the collection of my very excellent friend, Ralfe Whistler. If you want to see this sculpture you must travel to Battle, in England, and visit Dodo House. Further, I can lay it out cold for the institutions, with all due respect to the late Hilaire Belloc, this one's mine.

The Last Dodo:
The Dodo (raphus cucullatus) became extinct by the end of the 1600's. Although the exact date The last dodo died is unknown, the last intact specimen was consigned to flames in ignorance, at THE ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM, Oxford 1755.

was it shabby and rotten, was it creepy and rude ?
was the curator just in, a house cleaning mood ?

was it bad taxidermy, was it dusty and old ?
was it flea bitten, mangy or covered with mold ?

was it really subversive, was it smelly and putrid ?
was it aesthetically weak, were the trustees all stupid ?

all questions have answers, but we'll likely get spurned...
if at Oxford, we ask, Why the Dodo got burned ?

Rhyme published in
‘ BRUSSELS SPROUTS & UNiCORNS ’

-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

The Malleus Maleficarum...an objective review

2006-11-17T14:38:00.000-08:00

Which witch, which hammer, which witch hammer ? My ‘Malleus Maleficarum’ is a review of the 15th century classic, ‘The Malleus Maleficarum’ (the Witches' Hammer ). This book was written by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger and published in 1484 by THE HOLY SEE. Written in response to a general clamor, to get all of the disruption of medieval witch burning under control, this work provided a perfectly bureaucratic solution. By codifying an official doctrine, for dealing with those persons accused of witchcraft, the church inadvertently provided a systematic method for human extermination. With the blessings of the church, the inquisitors were absolved from personal culpability in the torture and killing of the accused, the atrocities committed against the accused were interpreted as acts of divine mercy. I believe that those accused of witchcraft might well have felt a little differently about the situation...and perhaps those ladies could have used a little something in their defense, a right proper witches' hammer...This image presents such a thing, a representation of the god Pan, carved by my hand from a 12 oz ESTWING hammer, an 18 karat gold detail separates the unbreakable steel shaft from the leather handle. The end normally reserved for hitting nails is decorated by an 18 k gold bezel containing a fat round garnet. The stone would snap under about 20 lbs of pressure. However, the horned end could be used to some considerable effect, against an inquisitor, an objet d'art for the purpose of self defense.
* Read ‘ The Malleus Maleficarum ’ of Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger
** Search ‘Acta Apostolicae Sedis’ , in the Vatican archives to review Church's formal apology.
***A little more reading on the topic of Witchcraft.
****The gold details on this piece were completed in collaboration with the excellent goldsmith, my friend Karen Morrow.

-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

The Common Toad (Bufo Americanus)

2006-11-07T10:26:00.000-08:00

Deride not this ugly American, as even toads are beautiful...if one takes the time to notice. Not to be confused with ‘Mr Toad’; this work is an actual sized representation of the common toad, carved by my hand, in Russian Nephrite. I've always been struck by the beauty of amphibian eyes, the solution to these eyes was found in construction and inlay,18 karat gold bezel and Black jadeite from Guatemala. This exquisite creature resides in the excellent collection of my friends the Knox's.

**The gold details on this piece were completed in collaboration with goldsmith, Karen Morrow.

THE TEALACANTH - iSBN 1-894897-03-X

2006-10-30T21:29:00.000-08:00

THE T E A L A C A N T H

The Tealacanth, rhymes with Coelacanth (See La Kanth). The ancient living fossil fish, from whence it takes its name. Latin Latimera Sisyphusticus. The Tealcanth is known to spawn at the headwaters of the river Styx and winds out eternity spinning in the swirling stygian backeddys.

The Tealacanth a contemporary expression of classical mythology and describes the modern condition to a tea. We have electricity and plumbing, economy and debt, and we toil to maintain it all and like all of us, and Sisyphus†, The Tealacanth can get no satisfaction.
† Sisyphus is the character of ancient Greek mythology, whose task in Hades, was to push a boulder, up a hill, which at once would roll down again. In perpetuity.

The Tealacanth, is a product of my imagination and was carved by my hand, using diamonds and water. Removed from a solid block of machine quality aluminum, in the Gastown District of the City of Vancouver, at the dawn of the twenty first century. This smiling addition to the classical pantheon, The Tealacanth, has a cup in one hand and a teapot in the other, and no matter how many circles he swims in, he can never pour his own tea...

Autobiography

I was born under a lucky star and raised in the Canadian wilderness. I know how to quickskin a grouse and I've fed pancakes to Whiskey Jacks. My first artistic influences came from my family , and as a child I was inspired by the carved poles of the Gitksan people at K'san and Kitwancool. At some point I went to school and earned a BFA, that's a ticket with a gold seal on it. Then I worked. Later, in 2004 I was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, that's a bigger ticket with an even bigger gold seal. I'm still working, sometimes I need help.

Photo Credit: Brian Creswick
robertchaplin (at) lightspeed (dot) ca