The Artwork of Alan Irwin

Klingon 4-Sided Die, 2008

Amboyna Burl

¾ inch x ¾ inch x 1½ inches

Pyrography, Klingon Script

This 4-sided die is engraved with Klingon script for the numbers 1 through 4. Klingon is a constructed language created for the Star Trek universe owned by Paramount. The written script is as well defined as the language (works of Shakespeare have been translated into Klingon).

The pictures, below, show each side of the die in the order of the numeric value – the first photo shows the symbol corresponding to the number 1, the second for the number 2, etc.

Although a part of my Script series (as well as the Kinetic series), the meaning of the symbols is a stronger than usual element in the design of this object. This is a fully functional 4 sided die that is meant to be used, and so the numeric transliteration of these symbols was used in its design.

Cha’, 2008

Dyed Maple

3¾ inches diameter x 1½ inches height

Pyrography, Klingon Script

This bowl is engraved with the Klingon phrase that translates to “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” Klingon is a constructed language created for the Star Trek universe owned by Paramount. The written script is as well defined as the language (works of Shakespeare have been translated into Klingon).

The engraving and texturing were burned into the maple wood. The title Cha ‘ is the Klingon word for “two”.

As with each piece in my Script series, I’m more interested in the abstract patterns created by the script than the meanings created by the source language.