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| Wax working space |
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| Breaking the iron used in the metal casting process. |
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| D'Jean leading the pour teams. |
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| Cupola team maintaining the furnace. |
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| Pour team catching the iron. |
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| Comparison to casting in aluminum. |
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| An example of surface texture in my welded work. |
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| The cupola, pre-firing. |
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| More surface treatment/texture in my welded work. |
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| Tucumcari, New Mexico |
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| A view of the Mesalands campus |
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| Safety gear--highly fashionable. |
My spring break this year overlapped with my time in Tucumcari, NM at the Mesalands Community College Iron Pour. I've been lucky in years past to have permission from my principals to attend the pour the week prior to spring break. I didn't know how great it was to have a week of rest after the pour until this year, when I found myself back in the swing of things at work without having rested up, post pour.
My sculpture professor/friend invited me to the pour three years ago and I have completely fallen in love with the iron casting process. I've cast before many times in bronze and aluminum, but love the physicality of casting in iron. Iron casting requires a community effort--it is impossible to cast alone. Perhaps that's what I love most about pouring in iron. I relish the time with other metal fabricators, artists and art educators; it's a week filled with conversation, both serious and ridiculous. The furnace takes on a personality; I think I finally wrapped my brain around the science behind how it functions--an amazing process.
The physical space in New Mexico is inspiring to me; although it is dry and seemingly devoid of life (both in the landscape and the town) I absolutely find beauty in this place. I'd love a chance for a residency in this particular place. Something about the town, the landscape, and the facility feed my soul. Perhaps it's the quiet compared to my normal existence?
The art program at MCC is run by an amazing woman, Donna Jean (D'Jean) Jawrunner. The energy she has poured into the program in her 13 (or is it 14) years running the program is countless. She will leave big shoes to fill, not only as a teacher, but as the coordinator of this magical iron pour event.
I love the photos. I do a lot of foundry work as well and it is always great to see other facilities and how everyones process varies little: given materials, access to technology, different processes, ect. I believe I will be participating in a bronze pour in the next couple weeks, I'll try and take some photos.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see your photos! I've been interested to see a lot of variety in how various facilities pour iron. MCC's pour is always calm, organized, and safe. I've heard about (and seen pictures) from pours that seem...haphazard.
DeleteI use a lot of resin-bonded sand molds when I cast in iron, mainly because of my limitations for clean up once I get the work back home. Shell requires access to tools i don't have...yet.
Wow Emily-
ReplyDeleteNeat to see the texture on your pieces. How large are they?
The closest I have been to this is a jewelry class and pouring some silver...
It looks amazing and you look highly fashionable and intense.
What a great experience!
Martha
Martha, my largest welded form is 6 feet tall (the photo that has a large "gash" with banded "scabbing"). I've worked large and small in my welded forms, basically size depends on what metal I have on hand and how much energy I have! Haha, I had to ask for lots of help in maneuvering my 6ft piece towards the end of its fabrication.
ReplyDeleteI've developed a reputation at this pour as "The Mouth;" I can keep up a constant stream of conversation through everything--wax work, mold making, smashing of iron, casting of metal. Haha, I really enjoy shoulder-to-shoulder work though.
Wonderful images and story. Thank you for sharing. I wish all principals understood how important it is to allow/support art teachers being artist.
ReplyDeleteGood work.
That is impressive Emily! I love the texture as well as the color! That is very cool you got to do that during spring break! 6ft! Wow! I love the gash with the banded scabbing, which is my favorite photo! It looks amazing! BRAVO!
ReplyDelete