The uses of skulls as art are in the earliest records of human expression. From Asia, ancient Buddhist and Hindu traditions include the use of skulls. Cannibalistic tribes from the islands of the East used skulls (mostly of their defeated enemies) for ritualistic use and for artistic expression, not to mention as a source of dinner.

They were right. But instead of packing up their canvases and sneaking away into oblivion, they moved from realistically copying actual objects, to depicting things not as they are but as they seem, or in conveying feeling and sensations, or in translating intellectual thought into visual expression. Symbols became even more important in artists’ work, and human skulls, that had been a subject of artists’ explorations for almost as long as there have been artists, gained even more importance.

Weigand’s line of 3D wooden skulls are beautiful, sleek (like his chairs). They make use of the figure, strength and carvability of native hardwoods. They are tactile and seductive. They are tied to history and culture and religion and dedication… and to good humor and the economics of having a tool and needing to use it. And they will be instantly recognized by everyone who sees them.

And he says, “That philosophy made me think of symbolic representations of death, and that led to skulls, and here we are.”

Richard says, “On the surface that sounds like something out of a kung fu movie, but the reality of that to them is that, if they confront a horrible death daily, only then can they lead a life of integrity. The general belief is that the worst consequence of most things could be death. If you are afraid of dying then you won’t take the risk, or stand up for what you believe, or take a daring chance in business or in life. That’s the point of it, that they must face what is scary to them and so overcome the fear.

Richard says, “I’ve always been interested in the Orient,” he said, “in the culture, spiritual and aesthetic expressions.  The samurai are fascinating. They were warriors, dedicated to a master and totally loyal. Bushido is the code of the samurai, and in the Bushido the number one thing a samurai has to do is to confront a horrible death – daily.

It started with the economics-based decision to buy a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine in order to produce more of his signature chairs. Weigand explained, “A CNC is, basically, a computer-controlled router. You make an original item and then the machine can make copies of its pieces, drastically reducing the time involved in producing a series.”

Once the chairs were completed, Weigand considered what other project would make good use of the machine’s capabilities and fulfill his need to create in wood.

Richard Weigand is currently exploring skulls as symbols and subject. He explains that his production of wooden skulls arises from the convergence of a philosophic interest and an economic opportunity: samurai and a CNC.

Clearly, for many reasons, skulls are objects of fascination and meaning, and have been for ages.

Finally, a skull with its lower jaw attached, especially with most of its teeth in place, can be interpreted as grinning. For this reason, even though it may seem to some as macabre or fantastical, there have always been depictions of skulls (and skeletons) as humorous. There’s a famous black-and-white cartoon with dancing skeletons in rows (Disney Studio’s Silly Symphony “Dancing Skeletons” 1929); there’s a talking skull who “drinks” imaginary wine in Peter S. Beagle’s fantasy, The Last Unicorn; there are the many renditions of cheerful skulls and skeletons in happy celebrations of the Day of the Dead, in Mexico.

Visit from a Harley friend this morning…

One who is supposed to be a warrior considers it his foremost concern to keep death in mind at all times, every day and every night, from the morning of New Year’s Day through the night of New Year’s Eve.

As long as you keep death in mind at all times, you will also fulfill the ways of loyalty and familial duty. You will also avoid myriad evils and calamities, you will be physically sound and healthy, and you will live a long life. What is more, your character will improve and virtue will grow.