The van got Andy Goldsworthied

I replenished my stick collection from the forest at my parents property. At the end of the day (in the dark) we piled the van full of fallen branches and twigs and one log from a tree that fell over the drive way (in the strong winds that have been plaguing the Sydney area). I wish I had taken a photo but I doubt it would have come out well of the inside of the van at night. It did though, look as if a Andy Goldsworthy sculpture had been installed in it.

Sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy

Surgery!

Surgery...well it felt like it. After having left the rubber to cure properly, I came back to it a few days later and sliced it down one side in a wavy pattern so it it more likely to lock together more. I used my scalpel, and having to prize apart the rubber with my fingers (which as you can see is red and rubbery) it felt rather gross. I also ordered 4 kilos of plastimake today to make my 'mother mould' with. The mother mould will keep the floppy rubbery bit firm and in shape. A lot of people use plaster or fibre glass. I have made one with plaster, but with this size it becomes very heavy and somewhat fragile with man handling. Fibreglass on the other hand is light and strong but isn't allowed in our studio because we aren't equipped safety wise. However yet another offhand comment from Marcus made me think...yeah WHY don't I make it out of plastimake? We shall see...

Remaking the long branch mould

My last attempt at making a long branch rubber mould was a failure. After a chat with Marcus I decided on another method.
The idea is to pour the rubber around the entire object in one go then slice it open. This means entirely surrounding the branch and levitating it.  With a new microwave and electric stove top we just had enough heating power an volume to pour most of the mould in one go.

Branch held up with boards and screws
The beginning of the clay damming

branch inside completed clay dam

View of poured and set rubber