Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The making of "Bulldog and Hydrant", by Marshall Svendsen [Part - III]





The making of "Bulldog and Hydrant" [Part-III]..
by Marshall Svendsen..
I have met with Marshall a few times, but as far as documenting the making of this sculpture is concerned, today [Jan 25, 2011] was my third visit..
I have put images from my earlier visits..
# Jan 16, 2011..Making of "Bulldog and Hydrant" [Part-II] ..
# Dec 30, 2010.. Making of "Bulldog and Hydrant" [Part-I]..

In today's visit I saw the process of patina of the bronze sculpture..
When cast in bronze, the sculpture looks golden in color. Patina is the surface color of bronze. It can be natural or man-made. Here we are talking about the man-made patina, as a result of reaction of copper with chemicals.. In the case of this sculpture, I saw Marshall use two types of chemicals. He began with Liver of Sulfur and later used Ferric Nitrate.. These chemicals were sprayed on the sculptural piece and then the piece was torch-heated, for the chemical reaction to expedite.. The process was repeated over and over again..to get the desired result..


When I arrived, the sculpture was on the table. Before any work could begin, it was essential that the sculptural piece be put at a spot where the patina process could be carried out.. So it was lifted and placed on the floor..






Soap rinsing of the sculpture..


Preparing the chemical spray [Liver of Sulfur]..


Spraying chemicals. Initially the chemical concentration is low, to see the changes..




The chemical reaction is expedited by heating the sculpture..


More chemical and more heating.. The process of spraying chemicals and heating is repeated over and over again, till the desired colors are achieved.. Notice the fumes coming out..Also notice, the work suit is taken off by now.. as the sculptor is heated up too.. Not it's simple jeans and T-shirt..




The sculpture is rinsed many times, after torch-heating, to see the true colors..


The sculpture is also scrubbed a number of times for the highlights, and color variations....


By this time, the color of the sculpture has changed significantly..
Marshall was not yet satisfied, and he needed to carry on the work and I had to leave, to avoid the rush hour traffic..
I hope to see the installation of this piece..
Marshall, I cannot Thank You enough, for the privilege of allowing me to document the process and share it with others, through my blog..

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Temporary Sculptural Exhibit at Willis Tower by Mike Baur..





Temporary Exhibit at Willis Tower.. by Mike Baur..
I have very little information here.. Any information is welcome..
If I am not mistaken there are 9 sculptural pieces, five in the front lobby [S. Wacker Drive entrance] and another four in the inner lobby..
All I know is that these were installed last weekend [Jan 15/16, 2011].. Most [or all] of these pieces are fabricated at the Vector Fabricating, and our dear friend Adrian Calderon helped Mike Baur with the installation.












Blue Mast, by Mike Baur..
2009 / steel, PVC and concrete / 31"H x 23"W x 13"D..


From left.. Staff, Knight and Bow..


Staff, by Mike Baur..
2008/ steel, PVC and cast iron / 35"H x 21"W x 10"D


Knight, by Mike Baur..
2008/ Steel and concrete / 20"H x 23"W x 10"D..



Related Links..
# Sextant Yoke, by Mike Baur at Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park..
# Furrow by Mike Baur, Art Prize, 2010..
# Immigrant, by Mike Baur at Temporary Exhibit at IIT, 2010..

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Willis Tower / Sears Tower ... [More than 50,000 unique views]



Willis Tower / Sears Tower
 
Top tourist destination of Chicago..
Skydeck and the Ledge at Willis Tower
 
For more information, images and videos on Willis Tower, click here..
 
 

I also realize that this is one of the most copied images of mine ..
Please give photo credit while using images..

Friday, January 21, 2011

Cliff Dwellers [Sculptours presents "The Nature of Things", organic sculptures by Vivian Visser...





Temporary Exhibit at Cliff Dwellers
"The Nature of Things"..
Organic Sculptures by Vivian Visser..
There is also a painting display by Jennifer Webster..
Curated by Christine Rojek of Sculptours..


Untitled
Willow, Digger Cone, Steel /12x17x53 inches, [laying]


Untitled
Willow, Digger Cone, Steel/ 52X15X12 inches [standing]


Uprooted
Wood and Raffia/ 20X7X5 inches..


Wiggle Root
Willow, Pods, Wood/ 30x16x9..


Armament
Willow and Pine Cones / 19x10x8 inches..




These small-scale sculptures are placed along the glass-windows of the 22nd flor penthouse..




There was also a stunning "New Works on Canvas" show by Jennifer Webster.. which I should cover later..


And before I started my photography, I warmed up at this beautiful fireplace..



Related Links..
# Exhibit by Artists at Vector Fabricating [at Cliff Dwellers]..
# Spectacular Chicago Cityscape, as seen from the Cliff Dwellers]..
# Sculptural piece at the Cliff Dwellers..

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Recap of Temporary [Sculptural] Exhibits - 2010


# Artropolis, 2010 at Merchandise Mart [Apr 30- May 3, 2010]... For more, click here..


# Large Scale Sculptural Exhibit, by Various Artists, at Art Chicago [April 30 - May 3, 2010].. For more, click here..


# Countercurrents, by members of CSI, at Artropolis, [Apr-Oct, 2010].. For more, click here..
CSI stands for Chicago Sculpture International..


# Lakefront Sculpture Exhibit, 2010.. by Various Artists... For more, click here..


# Silver Clouds - by Andy Warhol [June 1 to August 1, 2010].. For more, click here...


# "Eye and Cardinal", by Tony Tasset [July to October, 2010].. For more, click here..


# Refrigerator Art, by Various Artists, at the Magnificient Mile [Aug 02 - Sep 15, 2010].. For more, click here..


# Art Prize, 2010, at Grand Rapids, Michigan [Sep 22 - Oct 10, 2010]... For more, click here..


# "A New Eden" - by Dale Chihuly, at Frederick Mejer Garden, Grand Rapids.. For more, click here..


# "Form in Flora", at Garfield Park [Indoor], by CSI Members [Oct-Nov, 2010]..For more, click here..


# F"orm in Flora ", at Garfield Park [Outdoor], by CSI Members [Oct-Nov, 2010]..For more, click here..


# "Public Notice 3", by Jitish Kallat at AIC [Sep - ?].. For more, click here..


# Art Loop Open, 2010.. For more, click here..


# "Horizons: The Figurative World of Steinunn Thorarinsdottir".. Temporary Exhibit at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park..


# "Neil Goodman in the Park", Temporary Exhibit at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.. For more, click here..


# "InvIITational", at IIT [Oct-Nov, 2010], by members of CSI.. For more, click here..


# Small-scale sculptural display at Cliff Dwellers [Oct-Nov, 2010].. by artists at Vector Fabricating..


This is not sculptural exhibit, as such, but maybe called architectural sculpture..
# Louis Sullivan Idea, at Chicago Cultural Center..

# Sculpture by the Sea - Chicago Artists ..


# Reinstallation of American Windows, by Marc Chagall [at AIC}..
Although not a Temporary Exhibit, but I wanted to feature this RE-installation anyways..

Related Links..
Temporary Exhibits, 2010..
# Artropolis, 2010 at Merchandise Mart [Apr 30- May 3, 2010]...
# Large Scale Sculptural Exhibit at Art Chicago [April 30 - May 3, 2010]...
# Countercurrents, by members of CSI, at Artropolis, [Apr-Oct, 2010]...
# Lakefront Sculpture Exhibit, 2010 [I have yet to organize photos]...
# Silver Clouds - by Andy Warhol [June 1 to August 1, 2010]...
# "Eye and Cardinal", by Tony Tasset [July to October, 2010]..
# Refrigerator Art at the Magnificient Mile [Aug 02 - Sep 15, 2010]...
# Art Prize, 2010, at Grand Rapids, Michigan [Sep 22 - Oct 10, 2010]...
# A New Eden by Dale Chihuly, at Frederick Mejer Garden, Grand Rapids..
# Form in Flora at Garfield Park, by CSI Members [Oct-Nov, 2010]...
# Form in Flora at Garfield Park [Outdoor], by CSI Members [Oct-Nov, 2010]..
# Public Notice 3, by Jitish Kallat at AIC [Sep - ?, 2010]..
# Art Loop Open, 2010...
# "Horizons: The Figurative World of Steinunn Thorarinsdottir".. at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park..
# "Neil Goodman in the Park", at Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park..
# InvIITational, at IIT [Oct-Nov, 2010], by members of CSI..
# Small-scale sculptural display at Cliff Dwellers, by artists at Vector Fabricating..
# Louis Sullivan Idea, at Chicago Cultural Center..
# Sculpture by the Sea - Chicago Artists ..