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The skeletal framework learning curve
- Freda Wilken
- May 17, 2017
- 2 min read
Once I demoulded the leg piece the foot mould ripped so to set the foot in the right angle I used plaster strips and wrapped it around a piece of wood which was set in place onto the outer mould jacket to reinforce the foot in place. However working with the mould upside down meant you could not quite get the correct angle of the foot right unless somone held the semi-casted mould in mid-air whilst the reinforcement set.
In hindsight I should have propped the mould up on bricks so the foot could hover in the air in order for me to get the correct angle right, but unfortunately this was a flaw in the piece that I wish I had corrected. Nevertheless, this brought on the idea to have a levitating sculpture instead to use the flaw to my advantage. Therefore I researched some existing artists who work with levitating sculpture and so the process began to plan the skeletal frame.
To carry the weight of the plaster, metal was the best option, so I had to learn how to weld very quickly, after careful planning of size and length to support the sculpture, I was ready to start.
This piece titled 'Lavitating Ladies' by Lone Morch is what inspired the skeletal frawework. I wanted a material sturdy enough the carry the weight but also think of ways to make the frame as discreet as possible as to not dominate the aesthetics of the piece.
in the metal workshop you are given freedom to work independently so the tutorial and induction was crucial.
After a 15 minute online tutorial given by the workshop Technician, I was ready to learn the tricks of the trade.
The workshop is quite spacious and has several welding stations to work from, here he demonstrates how to torch a metal rod to a certain heat to make it bendable to shape the frame.
Within 2 days I had my structure welded and assembled. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!
VOILA!! At this point I was well aware of the metal frame base being large so it can support the balance and weight, but I knew I wanted to cover it somehow to hide it for the exhibition.