There once was a time when I was a grungy art/sculpture student. As I have posted prior, an influential figure in my life as an art student began with Charles Hook, my undergrad sculpture teacher. He died this past St. Patty's day of Pancreatic Cancer.
This past weekend would have been his 60th birthday. In celebration of him, there was a retrospective of his work and an Iron Pour in his honor. Also, a sculpture park was dedicated in his name at Railroad Square - a long tradition of artist studios, galleries, etc. in Tallahassee, FL (where Florida State is located and where I went to undergrad). I so wanted to be there to participate in the weekend activities. However, being pregnant with Jake would have made for a very tiring and trying weekend. So, I opted not to go. Luckily, Deborah, his wife, completely understood and has sent me a link to a video that was made of the Iron Pour.
Just a little information for those who may not know, when you are casting metal, whether it is aluminum, bronze or iron, you must melt the metal in a furnace. There are a lot of different types of furnaces and ways to do such a thing. However, iron has the highest melting point of the 3 most common metals used in sculpture, therefore, the process is different than for aluminum or iron.
As you will see in the video, the upright tube in the picture is the furnace or cupola as it is called. Also what you will see are people holding a "bucket" with long handles under the tap hole of the furnace. They are going to catch the molten metal coming out. Then, a person will take an instrument looking like a hoe and scrap off the slag or the impurities from the molten metal that is on the top. Then the metal will be poured into the various molds that are on the ground. If I remember correctly, that furnace, when tapped full has about 100#s of molten metal coming out at a time. Yes, it is very hot. The starting melting point for iron is around 1800 degrees, but most of the time what is coming out is more in the 2200 range. That is why everyone around the furnace is wearing leathers. Yes, I have a pair of those along with a Fireman's helmet that I wore when I poured iron.
There is a lot more technical stuff to it as well. And it amazes me that I remember so much of it. I owe that to my great teachers Charles Hook & George Beasley (my graduate instructor).
I hope you enjoy the video. The music may be a little loud - but the video is definitely the type of pour that I experienced in undergrad and grad school many times.
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