Aragorn’s memories of working alongside metalworkers in Marrakesh, Nepal and the Tibetan Plateau
Aragorn told me where he had worked beside other copper makers. Marrakesh first, then memories of Nepal and the Tibetan Plateau.
Where did Aragorn work with copper in Marrakesh?
Aragorn worked copper in the Marrakesh souks. His studio’s own sculpture account dates an earlier inspiration to Haiti in 1987.
How did Aragorn describe working with copper workers in Marrakesh?
But it’s an interesting it’s a whole the Islamic cultures, a very strong copper.
So I did I did my time in the souks in Marrakesh.
Yeah.
Just beating copper with them.
And I and I worked in some a long, long time ago.
How physical is the copper work Aragorn makes?
It’s definitely raw and natural, but it’s very physical too. You know, there’s a lot of hammering and beating and fire and all that involved, you know.
What craft work did Aragorn see near Kathmandu in Nepal?
Aragorn remembered Bhaktapur’s different craft areas. UNESCO’s Kathmandu Valley record includes its Durbar Square among seven monument zones.
What pottery did Aragorn remember seeing in Bhaktapur?
Aragorn remembered potters making large pots in Bhaktapur.
I hung out in.
Have you been to Nepal?
Okay.
There’s this town outside Kathmandu called back to poor, which is when I was there, which is a long time ago, 35 plus years ago.
But it was a very every art form was in that one town.
So one little district was pottery, ceramics.
And they made big pots off the hump on a big pile of clay.
Which other crafts caught Aragorn’s attention in Bhaktapur?
Aragorn also remembered metalwork, woodwork and fabric in Bhaktapur’s craft districts.
And you just and they put them all out in the courtyard to dry.
And other parts of town were coppersmith and brass beating, and other town with woodwork and other part of town was fabric, and it was brilliant.
So I just had like a total field day there, just going around all the different districts and just getting big inspired.
UNESCO describes craftsmanship in brick, stone, timber and bronze. Aragorn remembered individual workshops.
What did Aragorn learn about copper on the Tibetan Plateau?
Aragorn worked copper on the Tibetan Plateau. The V&A’s metalworking guide explains hammering and embossing metal into relief.
What copper work did Aragorn describe on the Tibetan Plateau?
Aragorn worked with coppersmiths making temple Buddhas on the Tibetan Plateau.
It was it was cool.
I went to this place in China in the in the Tibetan Plateau, where they make all the, all the Buddha’s for the temples in Tibet and all through were not so much in China anymore, but they make the Buddha’s.
It was such fun.
When I spent a day to bang in copper with some coppersmith on big pitch beds, they.
Why did Aragorn mention pitch when discussing copper work?
Pitch supports copper while a maker works depth into the metal; Aragorn described using it for certain pieces.
I just used rubber.
But for certain things you need like a bed of pitch of tire so you can get really good depth.
I have some tile, but I don’t use it much right hand, but.
So that was kind of good.
Aragorn did not name the plateau workshop or city.
His spirals and flamingos story follows a later commission. Read Angie’s painting interview for another maker, or the British Virgin Islands stay guide to plan your visit.
Keep exploring, my loves. Discover more makers in My Ideal World.