Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Elephant Sculpture

Visiting  Melbourne last year,
I loved all the Public Art-
Everywhere we went there were Sculptures!
They really make a sense of place.
St. Marys is the best little town but...
it doesn't have any public Sculpture
SO
           Under the tutelage of  John McColl ,         
St. Marys's resident 'National Treasure' Sculptor,
 I began making a small version of a
Ferrocement Elephant Seat
which I propose to make
at full size for the proposed "Elephant Park" 
(in front of the Online Center, behind the Town Hall)
This project is being championed by the
St. Marys Assn. for Community Development.
(Association's Website)
Below is a Photoshopped impression of the
full sized seat on the site:



sitting on the bench,
one would look directly at Mt. Elephant,
a local iconic landscape feature.

I will Photoshop in the plantings when we have
decided on what to put where.
I kinda go for the idea of a Cedar Arch and espallied Pear Trees myself...
We particularly need to decide on a good species of shade tree
 as the stump (center left) is all that remains
 of the magnifcent 100 year old  tree that was there-
it wobbled when they put down the slab for the Picnic Tables
so it had to come down as it's trunk was split
We will begin designing soon-
any ideas?


       This is the wire armature of the small Elephant
        prior to beginning the cement work:



Ferrocement is an awesome way to make sculptures
as it is strong and light weight, easy and low tech.
Have a look at  http://www.ferrocement.com/- be amazed
(and possibly inspired) by the possibilities!

2 comments:

Dudley said...

Was wondering how the Elephant Bench was progressing.

Chris Adams said...

The elephant is looking good Eo!

A mate of mine specializes in ferrocement for making boats.

Big ones; 40-60ft. He uses essentially the same technique as you; metal skeleton then apply cement.

regards,
Chris.