Advisor’s note: An unforeseen technical issue in the editing and uploading process resulted in an incorrect version of this story being published. This story has been updated to reflect the final version produced by the writer.
In 2010, artist and designer Christine Lee received a unique opportunity to work with the USDA Forest Service Products Laboratory in Wisconsin.
Through collaboration with a research mechanical engineer at the lab named John F. Hunt, Lee would co-create a new type of composite wood board.
“Working with John was fantastic because I was coming in as an artist and a designer, and he really supported my input,” said Lee, who had completed her master’s in fine arts at the time.
These Naturally Bonded Boards, or NB boards, are the focal point of this semester’s exhibit at the City Gallery at San Diego City College. Titled “Low-VOC,” the exhibit is named after the board’s low environmental impact.
“Low-VOC” refers to the volatile organic compounds that are slowly released into the air, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Unlike conventional particle boards that use formaldehyde to bond the wood together, the boards created by Lee were bonded using only heat and pressure, creating wood that is both safe to make and environmentally friendly.
“It’s actually better because there’s no VOC off gassing,” Lee said. “It’s a better quality material for the environmental purposes and also your health purposes.”
The exhibit opened with a reception on Thursday, Aug. 29. Every piece on display at “Low-VOC” was made using NB boards, such as a sprawling anchor and chain created by Adam Manley, a professor of furniture design at San Diego State.
“’I’m sort of obsessed with making chains right now,” Manley said. “When I got this material, I just wanted to play with it.”
The material was impressive to San Diego artist and designer Miki Iwasaki, who fashioned lamps from it.
“If it’s an interior piece, it’ll last quite a quite a long time,” Iwasaki said. “It just depends on how often it’s handled, really.”
The artist was not totally satisfied, however. Manley said the board’s lack of dangerous bonding chemicals causes the material to have a tough time in wet conditions.
Manley is still a fan of the material, however.
“I would recommend people come check this out, because it’s an interesting conversation about the material we use,” Manley said.
Lee is ecstatic with the final product.
“The way the other artists of this show our approach to the materials is fantastic,” said Lee, commenting on the work of her colleagues. “I love that there’s such a wide range of perspectives and how people used it, and the outcomes are really fantastic.”
“Low-VOC” be open for regular viewing on Tuesdays-Thursdays, from noon to 4 p.m. The exhibit will close on Oct. 3.
Correction: This story has been updated to accurately reflect the timeline of events of Christine Lee’s education. City Times regrets the error.
