Daniel Biehl
Sculpture and Sculptural Furniture
Pictured here is a selection of images of wood and mixed media sculpture. Several of these pieces
have associated images of their stages of manufacture, which can be viewed on the
Process page. Slate carvings are grouped seperately on their own
Slate Carvings page.
27 Distortions, 2009
fabric, plywood
One of three Urban Art Project parking garage window installations in downtown Great Falls in the
spring and summer of 2009. 27 Distortions is an examination of regular distortions of the
fabric field, in imitation of patterned ground. As a tensile structure, it also draws inspiration
from tents or goose bumps and other remarkable features of skin. Any resemblance to the Sea of Holes
in the Beatles’ 1968 animated film Yellow Submarine is purely coincidental.
Thanks to Jean L. Price for her steadfast active support for the arts and artists in north-central Montana,
and single-handed instigation and promotion of the Urban Art Project in Great Falls.
Respirator, 2009
fabric, wood, mechanism and drive from IBM Selectric typewriter
Another of the three Urban Art Project parking garage window installations in downtown Great Falls in the
spring and summer of 2009. Respirator is an attempt at creating a kinetic architectural element, and
along the way a symbolic breathing apparatus for the building. Powered by the original GE motor and drive
mechanism of an IBM Selectric typewriter, it operates from about 6:30 AM till 11:30 PM daily, with four
half-hour breaks in the course of the day.
View a brief youtube video of the three windows, including a view of the Respirator workings
here
Flying Cloud, 2009
stiffened fabric with plaster and wood supports
Another of the three Urban Art Project parking garage window installations in downtown Great Falls in the
spring and summer of 2009. Flying Cloud seeks to transport subconsciously, as if in a dream. The
billowing of sails is the main focus and challenge in making this installation.
Canoe Party, 2007
wood and painted canvas
An Urban Art Project parking garage window installation in downtown Great Falls in the spring and summer of 2007,
produced in collaboration with Julia M. Becker.
Fashion Statement, 2006
mixed media with missile silo gasket
This was another installation in one of the eleven display windows of the Great Falls Parking Garage structure
in the spring and summer of 2006.
Bison Range , 2005
mixed media with walnut ink, willows, silk tissue and video
Another collaboration with Julia Becker, the impetus for this piece was the Spirit of Place invitational
exhibition at Beall Park Art Center in Bozeman, Montana. The exhibit was composed of artist's interpretations
and responses to the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition's passage through our area. Bison Range
referred to the tens or hundreds of thousands of bison which L&C reported in the vicinity of Great Falls,
the missile silos which dot the landscape, Air Force bases, automobiles, power lines, etc.
Emergency, 1994
slate, cotton cord, electric light
50 x 54 x 57"
Shown here in the Vessels, Vehicles and Dwellings exhibit
with Julia Becker at the Beall Park Art Center
in Bozeman,
Montana in 1994, the title of this piece is meant to reflect
a place of emergence
in addition to the conventional
sense of emergency. It was made after the birth and
subsequent complications experienced by my daughter.
Flying Boat, 1994
wood, raw deerhide and string
56 x 48 x 43"
Another piece from the Vessels, Vehicles and Dwellings exhibit, the Flying Boat gambles that an operator with
limited mobility can move the two paddles, which are in the form of double-helical airfoils, to propel the
craft airborn. The paddles are free to move in all directions because of wooden universal joints, which can be
seen in some of the construction detail images on the Process page. As in most of my
work, there are no metal fasteners in the structure.
The Traveling Sphinx, 1995
trailer parts, polystyrene foam,plywood, canvas
17 x 9 x 8'
I was priveleged to one of the fourteen members of the Caravan Project, or Montana Artists Caravan,
in the summer of 1995. Together we traveled to seventeen rural communities all over the state in our mobile
exhibition units. The Traveling Sphinx was a way of taking a sculpture to where the people are - out on the road.
Check out other images on the Process page, and visit the
Caravan Project website.
Boat of Bones, 1996
bronze,copper wire
29 x 8 x 5"
A few images of the spruing arrangement are available on the Process page.
Bureau No.1, 1997
We were
having lots of trouble organizing our domestic junk mail. Our neighbor renovated his garage and put a bunch of
old fir two by fours in the garbage, so I used them to make this device to help solve our problem.
Table for my Father, 1997
oak and slate
26 x 26 x 28"
This table was taking shape when I learned that my father had terminal cancer.
I had previously noticed that it had a distinct funerary aspect. See some of the raw parts on the
Process page.
Elaborate Receptacle, 1998
oak, plywood, purpleheart/ebony/birch inlays
43 x 27 x 34"
Collection of Rosalind HudgensInspired by the experience of building the Table for my Father and
Bureau No.1, I absorbed myself in making the oak parts for this standing bureau, some of which may be
viewed on the Process page.
Gout Stool, 2007
cherry, upholstery
22 x 11 x 17"
Stool, 2004
black walnut and upholstery
Knees, 2004
pine
14 x 15"
Vessel for Small Dreams, 1990
ash, maple, string
70 x 20 x 13"
Nuclear Family, 1994
ash, walnut,pine
24 x 20 x 25"
Collection of Stephen and Sharie Babb
Eula's Sled, 1992
ash, oak, maple
Collection of Great Falls Clinic, LLP
Valentine, 1989
pear wood with ivory and ebony eyes
18 x 8 x 3"
private collectionView detail images on the Process page.
Huntred, 1990
slate, antler, hair, cottonwood, leather thongs
Collection of Jo Anne Dillenberg
undergraduate car project, collaboration with Jane Halvorson,
1979
Built on a $20.00 budget Jane and I did this in a sculpture class at DAAP. Photo from the
UC News Record of June 1, 1979.
Leaper, 1995
wood relief
Collaboration with Julia Becker.
Collection of Sean and Nolita Becker
Slipping Through the Jaws of Death, 1995
wood relief
Kesselheim/Zitzer Collection
Slipping Through the Jaws of Death (reverse)
St. Francis, 1995
wood relief collaboration with Julia Becker
Horn Player, 1995
wood relief collaboration with Julia Becker
Garnsey Collection
Guitarist, 1995
wood relief collaboration with Julia Becker
Garnsey Collection
Card Player, 1995
wood relief collaboration with Julia Becker
Thirsty and Ye Gave Me Drink, 1995
wood relief
collaboration with Julia Becker
