Conversations with Chris Hardy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Hardy.

Hi Chris, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’d always wanted to work as an artisan, to use my creativity, work with my hands and become a master of a medium. Almost two decades ago the opportunity to realize that ambition came my way in the form of a Craig’s List job posting from Cosanti Originals. Cosanti, a bronze and ceramic studio founded by Paolo Soleri in 1957 was seeking to hire someone interested in working as an apprentice in the bonze foundry. The pay was shockingly low but the opportunities to learn and create were almost unlimited. Like every other new hire, I spent what seemed like endless days, shoveling molding sand, grinding the daily castings, drilling holes and sweeping. After mastering the mundane and proving my work ethic, I moved into the foundry proper where I learned how to make the molds and design bells.

However, my stay in the foundry was fairly brief. I was moved into a more specialized role that was more focused on assembly and finish work. This work, which involved learning to master an oxy/acetylene torch, allowed me to develop the skillset I needed to become the artisan I am today.

Today, I’m the Senior Specialty Artisan at Cosanti. This means I draw inspiration from Soleri’s work, instill my own vision and create one off/bespoke bronze bell assemblies that are often commissioned by clients. My work ranges simple single bell pieces to massive 300-pound chandeliers that have been installed in 10-million-dollar homes.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth road? Oh god no. Anytime your hired as an apprentice, you should know that nobody is going to allow you to express your vision quickly. You have to pay your dues and earn trust before you’re allowed to do anything that is uniquely your own. That’s the hardest thing in an apprenticeship environment, biding your time until you get your opportunity. Most people quit.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My official title is Senior Specialty Artisan. My medium is bronze. Specifically, I sample the creative catalogue that Paolo Soleri handed down to create one off/bespoke bell assemblies that, it is my hope, become treasured family heirlooms and are considered museum quality.

While I’m proud of all my work, I’m especially proud of my chandeliers, they are my masterpieces. My two largest chandeliers adorn multi-million-dollar homes in Palm Springs and Sedona.

What sets me apart from others? Well, I’d say it’s my unrelenting yet unrecognized artistic genius. Funny story, I once said words to affect to Paolo, he smiled at me, laughed out loud, grasped my arm and said “Yes.” He took a greater interest in me after that exchange.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think we are on the cusp of a boom in artisan/craftsman grounded work. I think AI and robotic automation is going to displace 100 of millions of workers worldwide.

This in turn will force displaced workers to find tasks that AI cannot replicate. And that is the works of artisans/craftsman.

My hope is that we see a new economy one off/bespoke artisanal items emerge. An economy of fewer, but better things.

Pricing:

• $40
• $100K

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/cosanti_originals
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cosanti_originals/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cosantioriginals
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cosanti-originals-paradise-valley-2
• Other: https://www.wallflowerart.com

Image Credits
Corey Rosen