Applying medium to the participant.

Having expressed myself through silkscreen prints and acrylic paintings all my life, the process of cast making was a challenge in many ways.

When dealing directly with people as participants, it places equal emphasis on one’s creative abilities and the psychological aspects involved. Prior to the cast taking, one must create a safe and comfortable atmosphere and help the participant become aware of how to look at the resulting cast in a new and informative way. This process should be viewed as a creative collaboration between two people. It seems to be akin to "giving birth to oneself" and has seemed to be a catalyst for self-discovery.

The actual cast impression only takes about 20 minutes. Taking the impression to its finished state involves a month of some intensive labor.

 

I would caution you that before one works with someone doing this or any type of modeling, be sure the person is reputable. In art, as in any field, there are certain unscrupulous people who take advantage of others. Take time to check people out - never put yourself in a compromising position.

Drying the cast.  This was just after it was taken and it is very fragile.

A few remarks as to why I present these pieces as they are:

* The edges are finished to make these look like older sculptural pieces - ABSOLUTELY NO REFERENCE TO BODILY MUTILATION IS INTENDED.

* The focus is on the parts of the body most used to sell products.

* Faces have been utilized but generally not. Whenever they have been included, viewers seem to read too much into the piece (eg. they are "happy" or "sad", etc.). This deflects from the ;point trying to be made. It also helps give the participant anoniminity. If viewers know the identity of the cast, that changes the dynamics of what you see also

* The surfaces are added to give the viewer some distance and acceptability of the piece as "shape" and "form".

Moving a cast that is completely cured.

What makes the medium unique is that this is not as much my impression of a person, where the end result depends greatly on my artistic skills and particular style. It is the person themselves.

While this form of art is limited in its breadth as compared to a painting or a print, it does possess a depth that is difficult to equal with other visual mediums.

I consider this a very personal and private experience but there have been occasions when university art departments have asked that I take a cast for a class. The following photos are from one of those sessions.