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Wheels & Throwing
Slip Casting
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There are many misconceptions about slip casting..
Robert is self taught in the process, which he pursued when a back injury
prevented him from throwing for several years. |
Architectural Clock forms
were cast in two piece molds |
This design required a five piece mold |
Slip Casting
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| Three piece molds for making the upper
tiers of the waterfall fountain. |
Diaphragm Pump Compressed air operates
the pump, which pushes liquid clay ( slip) into molds, the pump then
reverses to draw the clay back into the storage tanks ( blungers) |
Robert using a nozzle similar to those in a gas
station,
for controlling the flow of slip.Slip is left in the molds 5
to 14 hours to build the required thickness |
Slip Casting
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Slip Casting
The advantages of slip casting
is the ability to make exact reproductions.
When producing a multi sectional sculpture, such as Roberts fountains,
each tier needs to be consistent in shape, color and texture. Projects
like these make casting both a logical
and practical choice. |
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| Robert removing the largest section of
the waterfall from its three piece mold |
This three piece mold incorporates both "Drain Cast" and
"Core Cast" elements. The piece above is the base tier of the
waterfall fountain. |
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A one piece drain cast mold worked best
for making the water tube exits on the reservoirs. |
Slip Casting
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Liquid slip is pumped into molds then
vacuumed back to the tank when the required wall thickness of the piece is
achieved.
Robert is drawing back the slip in this photo. |
The mold is turned upside down to release the clay casting. A board strapped
to the top of the mold catches the fountain basin. |
The molds are too heavy to pick up, so a bracket was incorporated into the
plaster. This allows it to be lifted with a hoist. |
Slip Casting
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| The primary advantage of casting was the
ability of Robert to interchange parts. Casting made every piece
that came out of a mold an exact
duplicate of the original. |
Susan Kuehnl ( at left) fettling the seams on
the casting of a water sculpture tier. Christine Homer (at right) and
Susan worked at many aspects of process at the pottery. |
Slip Casting
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Fountains were originally thrown on the wheel.
Prior to casting these fountains, Robert threw each piece and altered the form
to produce every fountain. In the 1980's he was throwing 15 to 20 tons of
clay a year.
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1991 Robert Standing next to the molds that were in constant use
making fountains in the 1980's.
Since 1991 the molds are used only on an occasional basis, when inventory runs low
and a run needs to be produced. |
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Since1984, Robert's two most successful designs, the
Waterfall & Scalloped Petal, have been made by slip casting |
02/16/08
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