Public Art in Chicago: Vector and Friends: The Art of Fabricating! [Part II: Fire Carnival]

Metal Pour at Vector Fabricating [Oct 4, 2012]

The 23rd International Sculpture Conference [ISC] was held at Chicago
October 4, 2012 - to - October 6, 2012
Chicago Sculpture International [CSI],
an affilitae of ISC organized many sculpture shows,
both indoors and outdoors] throughout the city for this event.

Vector Fabricating, Inc. is a key player in fabrication of sculptures in Chicago, and beyond. Many artists have employed the services of Vector. As an expression of gratitude, Vector organized a public event: Vector and Friends: The Art of Fabricating.

It included Pig Roast and Fire Carnival. And was a HUGE SUCCESS!!!!

[For information on Vector Fabricating, Inc. click here..]

Metal Pour at Vector Fabricating [Oct 4, 2012]

FIRE CARNIVAL at VECTOR FABRICATING

There was Iron Pour, Aluminum Pour and Glass Blowing
And also Professional Fire Performers
with Pig Roast and Drinks!!!
IMAGES from the Day [Oct. 4, 2012]

It is important to note :
Metal Pour was closely associated with Lunarburn Studio, click here..
Glass Blowing with Ignite Glass Studio, click here..

Some sculptors participating in the metal pour were,
Eric W. Stephenson, Kelly Ludeking, Llyod Mandelbaum,
Marshall Svendsen, Alisa Tonitano, Asli Luldag, Margaret Dancy
[I'll love to add more names when I get them..]

Igniting the fire pit..

It was a cold October night.
As evening progressed, people started flocking around the fire..

People flocking around the fire pit.

There were professional fire performers.. showing..
fire spinning, fire breathing, fire hooping

Professional fire performers..

Preparation for metal pour..

But what made me stay that night was not the fire performers,
but this apparent prepartion for metal pour.
This place was soon to be become hub of activities.

Metal pour is a lenthy time taking process,
and while some sculptors were preparing for the pour,
professional fire performers kept us entertained!

IMAGES of IRON POUR

Furnance melting iron for pour

Pouring fluid molten iron into crucible..

Pouring molten iron from crucible into molds..

Pouring molten iron from crucible into molds

Pouring molten iron from crucible into molds..

IMAGES of ALUMINUM POUR

Melting aluminum ingots in the furnance

Pouring molten aluminum into crucible..

Pouring molten aluminum from crucible into molds..

WOW! Fire spakles!!

Not every pour resulted in fire sparkles..

He [Kelly Ludeking] really is standing on fire!!!

Another shot from the day!

As the night progressed, I saw the coolest furnance I have seen:
LIFT- POUR FURNANCE
Below are some images of lift-pour furnance.