Thaw

Properties & Qualities

Application

Sculpture

Qualities

3D Shiny Textured / tactile Translucent Transparent

Colour

White Other

Sample Information

Date of creation

September 30th, 2020

Dimensions

46x11.5x4.5cm

Weight

8kg

Culture & Context

Landscapes are changing fast, this work is a statement on the mark and revolution of the Anthropocene on the natural world. This work presents the land moving as the glacial landscape is formed and then set, it continues to reset. This kiln cast glass sculpture represents a natural landscape that has been scarred and is starting to thaw, I add my commentary about the environment to form my narrative.

Process & Production

The model for this piece was made using gelflex (a type of silicon rubber), which was roughly cast it was then cut by hand using a scalpel, to create indents and facets on the form. This was moulded in more gelfex, the original form was removed and wax was poured into the cavity left behind. Hot wax was then poured into the rubber mould and allowed to cool. The wax is taken out of the mould and any over casts or flaws removed by hand. The wax model is used to measure the volume of the glass that is needed for the cast. The wax model is immersed
in cold water and the amount of water it displaces is noted down, it tells me how much glass to use. The wax model is then set on a table and the mould investment is covered over the wax model, the wax model is covered in mould material. The wax model is then steamed out of the mould using a wallpaper steamer, the hose is placed into the mould and the wax heats up and runs out of the mould. Once all of the water has been taken out the mould cavity is cleaned by pouring boiling hot water into the cavity until all of the wax is completely removed. The cavity left by the steamed out model is then ready to be fired with glass. A white prefired Bullseye glass element is set into the mould, Bullseye clear glass cullet is then added around, it is all added in to the open top of the mould. The mould and glass are then high fired to around 890 degrees Celsius, the glass flows into the cavity and fills up the mould. The cast is slowly cooled following an annealing schedule which is pre-programmed into the kiln. Once the kiln has cooled to below 50 degree the door can be opened and the glass filled mould
taken out. Once fully cooled for a further 24hrs the glass can be removed from the mould, by carefully breaking off the fired mould. The glass is then cleaned up with water and can then be cold worked, the over cast at the base which is where the glass flows into the mould needs to be cut off on the diamond saw, the base of the cut is then ground flat on the flat bed grinding wheel and softened on the linisher. The surface is then sand blasted all over to remove any flaws, the glass is then cut on a diamond wheel, the surface is carefully refined, the final touch is to brush polish the glass using pumice which creates a sheen where the glass has been cut.

Recipe Details

Prepare the mould, measure equal parts of plaster and flint with water to create a mould mix which can then be used to cover the model. Carefully apply a thin spray of hairspray to the wax model, then apply a thin face coat (first coat) of the mould mix to the model, allow to dry.
Continue to add layers of mould mix in a slightly thicker consistency to the model, continue into the mould has an equal thickness of around 6-8cm all over. Allow the mould to dry, flatten off the base and put into the drying cupboard overnight. Once the mould has dried the wax can be steamed out and the mould is ready for casting.