Modeling and Casting Multiples
We were tasked with finding an everyday, ordinary item that could be altered in some way using modelling clay. After changing the form, a mold would be created and used to pour multiple casts of our altered form. The multiples would then be given surface treatments and displayed together as a grouping.
I have made and sold Hydrostone plaster castings for years. I am excited to experiment with a new molding compound, and make something for fun. Something that has nothing to do with fulfilling a store order, or building inventory. This is what I did…
I chose an ashtray as my object to alter. My mothers parents were heavy smokers. They chain-smoked unfiltered cigarettes constantly. My grandparents grew up in a time and culture where smoking was seen as something different than it is today.
In my gramma’s house there were many ashtrays. Some were made from beautiful cut glass crystal that shot prisms of rainbow light when the sun shone in through the sitting room window. Others told tales of exotic locations from all over the world. Still others, kitchy in form. Imagine a wee claw foot porcelain bathtub with “Cool your Hot Butt in my cool tub”. That was in their bathroom. Each room revealing a clue to a shared life between two people. All those ashtrays, all that smoke, all that cancer just waiting to happen.
Pages from my sketchbook thinking about my concept and design.
Now came the time to build. we were given two types of modelling clay. One was softer to work with than the other.
I used the softer light color clay to fill in the undercut on the sides of the ashtray. You do not want your item to be wider on the top than the bottom. this will cause problems trying to release from the mold.
When I had the sides as smooth and even as I could get them, I used the dark, harder clay to fill in the centre of the ashtray. I then used a tool and started carving out the lungs.
I do so enjoy Anatomy and love looking at old textbooks and pictures of body parts. I went into a fantasy land while carving this out. In my mind it was the late 17th century and I was tasked to create this model for the head surgeon reporting to the Duke of Southampton himself! Late night, poor light, and tired eyes saw this finished.
Now it was time to cast my new ashtray. I found a plastic container that was a bit larger than my item. I will use this as a cottle (container) to support the sides of my mold. I glued the bottom of the ashtray down inside of it. A mold release spray was applied to item and all around inside to help with release after mold has set.
The product we used was called OOMOO 30. It is a two part silicone rubber mold mix
The two parts are mixed together to start activating the compound. It took a fair amount of mixing to turn it into a purple color.
The mixture was then slowly poured down into the container. I filled it up to a line that I had drawn that was a half inch above the height of my ashtray. I wiggled the table it was sitting on to help bring up any air bubbles to the surface. This was then set on some shelves and left to cure for a few days.
After the mold had cured, I turned the container upside down and pulled my mold out. I then removed the ashtray out of the new mold. The product was flexible and did not tear. I used an exacto knife to clean up a few edges. Time for casting!
When it came time to mix the number one pottery plaster, I learned a whole new way. After years of pouring the plaster into the water until a little mountain formed above, has now been replaced with a formula that makes the perfect plaster every time. I figured out what I needed for my mold and was ready to mix and pour.
I am not the best at math, but was able to figure out the exact amount of plaster and water I needed to pour my item with no waste every time.
I poured all my multiples in the number one pottery plaster. I wanted everything to be the same material in my series. I further altered an ashtray by filling in a lung and adding a scar.
Using acrylic paints, I painted the lungs in progressive stages of lung cancer. I used a sealer in the lungs because I wanted them to be glossy and wet looking.
I was happy with how things were looking.
Next thing to do was paint the outside ashtray black. It added a solid heaviness to the feel of the piece The black also framed the lungs dramatically. I had a design idea/change at this time. I removed a piece out of the middle and added it onto the end. I modified it and broke it into pieces, thus representing the death of the smoker. The lungs were not looking wet enough so I grabbed a bottle of clear nail polish and gave them a slick tip coat. Now they had that wet, mucus look that I was envisioning.
I added some burnt cigarettes to my timeline and narrative.
I made a video vignette using one of the ashtrays. Everything in this video is vintage. The wooden side table, crotchet doily, lamp and picture frame. Even the curtains are vintage. That is a picture of my Gramma Pearl and Grandpa Bud.
I did use some artistic license in this piece. My Grandma had breast cancer mid age, and died of a massive heart attack in her early 60’s. I am sure the cancer was in her lungs too, and would have killed her if the heart attack had not first. The song ‘Only Forever’ was recorded by Bing Crosby in 1940. he was my grandma’s favourite singer at that time.