TRENT
metal art
Going to work
The concept
Creating caps for each piece
Cutting an end cap
a sealed piece
fitted with end pieces
one piece
Pieces taking shape
a welded seam
Visualizing the final piece
A good days work
Starting the day
Cleaning the metal
The base
Final touches on the base
Day to assemble the pieces
Starting from the bottom
Balance
Day 1- Saturday, August 15, 2009
Considering available scrap metal in my shop, this was the idea.
Two ways to cover the ends of the tubes, this was the easiest, but uses the most metal.
The edges are ground to provide a smooth edge and a clean seam & weld.
Using an acetylene torch I heat the metal along the chalkline and then fold the metal using a sledge hammer.
Utilizing scrap to find flat pieces to cover ends of the tubes.
.This is another way to cap the end of the metal tube.
Hammer to bend the flap over the end of the tubes.
Some of the metal already had coloring and character that I would never be able to duplicate.
Ready for grinding
It helps to stop and see if the piece is following the vision. Rarely is the final piece exactly like the original concept.
I'm looking for balance, spacing, whether I have the metal needed, the finished size and whether other directions appear.
Some days the progress is more apparent than others. This is 7 hours work.
Day 2 - Sunday, August 16, 2009
It is necessary to remove the rust and debris including rough edges from torch cut.
I often say that I'm not a sculptor, but a grinder.
Before I assemble the piece, I've got to consider the base and how to secure the final piece.
In my work, I'm always considering how much of the flaws and imperfections to remove and what to keep.
Cleaning the base
Instead of holes in the base, I will sometimes create channels that I can slide bars with holes on each end to insert the bolts into a concrete pad.
Checking whether the base sits level.
Day 3 - Monday, August 17, 2009
This is the fun part, finally after all the cutting, grinding and welding to create the individual parts, now I get to assemble the piece and see if it works. If it's art!
It's art from beginning to end. I find my challenge is not to ruin it.
Two full days of work... 14 hours
The logistics/engineering is as interesting as the aesthetics.
The geometric shape is one place I create tension as the weight will appear to be balancing atop.
It is very important to position the pieces so that I get the most flush contact and best welded seam. I have to use the weight of the metal, as opposed to trying to hold a piece in the right position.
The pieces are falling into place. This is always a good sign and when I most try to stay out of the way and over think the work.
The metal has it's own patina.
It's important that the top rectangle sits flush to the point of the triangular piece to create the illusion that the weight is balanced atop the triangle.
I was sure until the piece was complete whether the base would be enough. I was pleasantly surprised at the stability I'd hoped for.
Initially, the small square at the first level was suppose to be on top, but it works much better in this position as it serves as a stabilizer as well.
The bottom cube is attached to the middle post and limits swaying.
I plan to add color and then a protective coating to keep the piece from rusting.
See more scott work
67" x 45" x 21"
$2,750