FINISHED!!!

We arrived on site this morning at 7.45am.

By 11.15am everything was completed.

Patinating the Bronzes... day 2

Today my new Bullfinch torch arrived so I could continue with the patination.

Applying the copper nitrate solution needs a 'softer' flame.

The bronze needs to be heated before the solution is applied. It's heated to an 'ouch hot' temperature.... rather than an 'aeeya burnie' if it is too hot the chemicals will simply burn off.

I want to work on these a little more tomorrow, but essentially this is how the finished patination will look.

Patinating the Bronzes

Today I started to colour the bronzes. First of all I am applying a black ground using a solution of Potassium Poly-sulphide (Liver of Sulphur). Over this I will apply Copper Nitrate the resulting patina will be a traditional green on black.

Heating the bronze and dabbing on the solution.

A rick black patina.

Bronzes to finish

On Friday 25th I received the last two bronzes from the foundry.
They'll now need a little bit of finishing and then patinating.

I'm aiming for a traditional green patina.

I'm hoping to have these finished mid week.... then they can be installed.

Nearing Completion

The base is now complete.... I am just waiting to take delivery of the bronzes.
Tomorrow (March 17th) the foundation pad is being laid ready for the final installation.

Conversation Lozenge Blocks

The 'Conversation Lozenge' blocks have now been fired.

Waxes

The figures for 'Conversation Piece' will be cast in bronze. I've found a little foundry in Blubberhouses who are going to do the casting for me. I collected the waxes from them yesterday. I need to do a bit of work before they can be cast. I've spent today fettling and filling... hopefully I'll have them ready to return to the foundry on Monday.

Conversation Lozenges

Making the 'Conversation Lozenge' blocks.


All the statements and conversation starters have been suggested by children and adults from the community.
It's around 4 degrees C in the studio just now...

Moulds and casts

All the moulds are now made and I've taken some plaster casts from them. The moulds are going to the foundry for casting at the end of the week. I should have the bronze casts in about 3 weeks time.

Look to the Future

The third figure is completed and I am now ready to make the mould.

Talk about the present

It's 5.30pm on a Friday evening. Michael a Micklegate resident has just completed another busy week at work. He stops to pick up a few bits and pieces from the bustling shopping parade on Bishopthorpe Road before finally heading home. He chats as he goes, to his partner of 15 years, on his hands free mobile phone. They discuss the days events and plan their weekend ahead.

Modelling and mould making

Work in progress.

• LISTEN TO THE PAST
  

• TALK ABOUT THE PRESENT
  

Beginning to make a rubber mould to cast the first figure.

Conversation Piece

Conversation Piece

Conversation Piece, the proposed sculpture for Bishopthorpe Road / Scarcroft Road junction features 3 modern day guardians. Paying homage to the figures found on walls around the city. The figures represent the past present and future development of the area

The sculpture features:

• A sweetie maker holding a Terry's Chocolate Orange to represent the past
  

• A professional person representing the present community

• A child representing the future
  

The figures will stand on a base made of stone. The stone will be carved with the inscription:

• LISTEN TO THE PAST

• TALK ABOUT THE PRESENT

• LOOK TO THE FUTURE

Surrounding the base will be a small area of block paving created during workshop sessions. The blocks will feature 'CONVERSATION LOZENGES'

Terry's daring 18th-century conversation lozenges appealed to the Victorians. Those who were tongue-tied could always offer their companion a little piece of sugar paste printed with some suitable inscription. 'How do you flirt?' "Can you polka?' and 'Love me' were amongst those available from Terry's in York.

Our modern day Conversion Lozenges will have phrases suggested by local people representing their aspirations for the area. I have set up as Twitter account to enable people to engage with the project. Perhaps an idea will come to you while sitting on the bus, or walking the dog. Become a follower www.twitter.com/ailsamagnus and tweet your conversation starters.