The casts are delivered

Today the casts arrived back at the studio from the foundry.

Really pleased with how they look.

There's a little bit of finishing to do, but not an awful lot.

All three pieces set out in the yard. There is still a seating element to be made to accompany these pieces. Once this is completed everything will be delivered to site.

Casts at the foundry Aug 2011

The pieces have now all been cast. They will be delivered to the studio next week.

At the Foundry, July 21st

We took at trip over to the foundry today to see the progress of the Wolverton Mill 'Stepping Stones' and the children's 'Watermarks'. So far only one stone has been cast, anther was being done today. The children's pieces are completed though and looking very nice too!!

The first completed cast.

Weighing in at 520kg.

Watermarks, the children's pieces look great.We've brought them back to the studio and have started the process to oxidize them.

Patterns delivered to the foundry

On Friday 25th June the polystyrene pieces for Wolverton were delivered to the foundry for casting.

(above H. Downs & Sons Ltd sculpture by Dave Bradbury, photograph by Nigel Downs)

Hollowing Out

Once completed the pieces need to be hollowed out prior to casting.

Pins are used as a guide to define the thickness of the piece. This needs to be approximately 25mm all over.

There is no quick way to do the hollowing... believe me I've tried everything.

Nearly there!!

Patterns almost ready for the foundry

The polystyrene patterns for 'Stepping Stones' are almost complete. Following a studio visit from our Milton Keynes Council clients we will now put the finishing touches to the three pieces and deliver them to the foundry for casting in the next fortnight.

Progression of the Pebbles

Once the blocks of polystyrene have been cut down and a rough shape has been cut, work can begin refining the form.

Using a surform to refine the shape.

Sanding using various grades of sand paper to smooth the surface.

Work Begins

Beginning work on the polystyrene patterns for the Wolverton Mill Play Area pieces.

The sound on these little videos is quite harsh so if you are in a room with others I recommend adjusting the volume on your computer.

Final Designs and Maquettes

Final designs were presented to the client on Wednesday May 4th.

We have now been given the go-ahead to begin fabrication.

Scale drawings.

Overall lay out.

Bench.

Scale models/maquettes

Mill Race

Use Stepping Stones Where The River Runs Slow

Use A Mill Wheel Where The River Runs Fast

We intend to create a series of sculptural interventions to compliment the experience of the play area. A series of giant 'stepping stones' drawing on the heritage of Wolverton Mill and the River Ouse. These pieces will be cast in cast-iron.

The 'stepping stones' can be used to play on, play around or simply sit upon.

The 'stepping stones' could be seen to represent a continuity of life stages - childhood - youth - adulthood.

We are currently working on designs which we hope to complete by the end of April.

Watermarks paving patterns

The work produced at the workshops has now been composed into nine 450mm x 450mm squares.

These will be cast in cast-iron to create a paved entrance feature for the play area.

Watermarks - Wolverton Mill Workshops

Watermarks Project - To work with groups over the period of two days at Slated Row School, The Radcliffe School and a community drop in session on site. In all 95 participants took part in the workshops.

The aim of the sessions was to create low relief tiles on the theme of water patterns. The intention is that the pieces produced during the session will be used to create cast iron paving panels to be included in the proposed art work for Wolverton Mill Play Area.
Once our project is completed we will return the works to the school along with a permanent plaster replica of the paving panels.