bebenchedbolingbal

by Kewndeche

Photograph by Nancy Nolan

bebenchedbolingbal is a functional re-purposed passenger car hood-topped bench designed to accommodate the basic standing-to-sitting process from all directions. The stilted base is made up of coated steel rods embedded into the finger holes of re-purposed black bowling balls. The bench stands 24 inches above the ground to accommodate the basic standing-to-sitting process while also allowing ventilation through the bottom of the bench. The bench top included a re-purposed aluminum highway traffic sign, cut and bent in a manner which resulted in the linking of the original graphic image of the sign. The pyramidal back acts as a focal point for the bench as well as a backrest for Bernice Garden guests. All components of the bench are in their original colors, including dents and scratches.

The artist, Kwendeche (pronounced, ka-when-day-chay), is an architect/artist whose approach to design-related projects is first imagined always as a challenge with a distinct reverence to the delicate environment of this planet. The effective and creative use of re-purposed and found objects is his primary challenge, with the intention of making aesthetically appreciated works using simple hand tools within a simple workshop setting.

Kwendeche says he is very grateful to The Bernice Garden for accepting bebenchedbolingbal as a permanent installation at this renowned location in the SoMa district of downtown Little Rock.

the gardner’s bench

by Justin and Minah Tucker

The Gardner’s Bench was created by local Architect Justin Tucker and his daughter Minah Tucker. Justin was also project manager for the recent canopy project in the garden.

“The inspiration for The Gardner’s Bench was tree swings and canoe seats,” Tucker says. “While it does not have the shape or size of either of those, I was going for the feel. I also wanted the bench to be one that could accommodate a person reclining against the poles, and that would fit two people on it leaning against opposite poles.

“The Gardener’s Bench is made from job scraps and left over materials so it is 99% recycled (I would guess about 85% post consumer.) The seat is made from reclaimed deck wood that was re-milled, laminated together, sanded, and painted with milk paint.”

bebenchedrotagilla

by Kwendeche

bebenchedrotagilla is a functional square-topped bench designed to accommodate the basic standing-to-sitting process from all directions. The stilted base is made up of eight slayed steel plates welded to a concealed round steel plate attached under the truck tire. The bench stands 22 inches above the ground to effectively accommodate sitting on the bench while also allowing ventilation through the bottom of the bench. The truck tire is re-purposed from an 18-wheeler, saved from a pile of defective tires stored for recycling. The wood slab is composed of laminated treated wood posts, coated with a semi-transparent deck stain. The wood slab is bolted through the tire to the steel plate under the truck tire.