Veľká Richňava 1738
CHAPTER I: HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
The Birth of the Water Works
In the first half of the 18th century, tajchy – artificial water reservoirs built to provide energy for mining and ore processing – began to appear around Banská Štiavnica.
The dams of the tajchy also included an oak wooden structure (a sluice gate, or stavidlo) used to regulate the water level. This technology stood at the peak of contemporary engineering, combining natural materials with precise mining calculations.
CHAPTER II: CRAFT AND MATERIAL
The Strength of Oak Wood
The oak structure was skillfully crafted by carpenters and assembled into a functional outlet system.
I obtained the first parts of the structure from the Vindšachta tajch during its reconstruction in 2001. Wood preserved in water for three centuries retained its remarkable strength and acquired a unique dark patina.
Veľká Kolpa 1730
CHAPTER III
Legacy
Each object is made from wood installed in various tajchy between 1712 and 1743. My goal is to give this material a new form and preserve its story for future generations.
I believe the transformations of this beautiful material will delight you.
WITH RESPECT
Vindšachta 1712
Bakomi 1736