Jump Down the Rabbit Hole to Celebrate 150 Years of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Houston-Area Park to Receive Original Sculpture of Mad Hatter Tea Party
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jump Down the Rabbit Hole to Celebrate 150 years of ‘Alice in Wonderland’
Houston-Area Park to Receive Original Sculpture of Mad Hatter Tea Party
July 2, 2015 – HOUSTON –
Tea party for eight? No reservations necessary! As the world celebrates the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” July 4th, Houstonians eagerly anticipate a monumental sculpture of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
The Jerry and Maury Rubenstein Foundation commissioned the sculpture, in honor of their mother, Evelyn. The scene will be larger than life and reside within Evelyn’s Park at 4400 Bellaire Boulevard (the former site of Teas Nursery) with an anticipated completion of late 2016.
Bridgette Mongeon, a local Houston artist, designed and titled the sculpture, “Move One Place On.” The title of the sculpture is what the Mad Hatter beckons at the tea party. Mongeon hopes visitors will develop a tradition of shouting the proclamation and change places at the bronze table as they visit the sculpture.
The characters in Mongeon’s maquettes, which are miniature sculptures, are now growing like Alice. Over the next few months, the small digital and clay designs will turn into a 10-foot table with eight-foot bronze characters hosting the fanciful feast. The artist is carefully crafting each character to interact with visitors at the table. She invites everyone to join her in her studio through the Finding Alice Sculpture Facebook page where the scene comes to life.
The sculpture will seat six-to-eight additional guests allowing families to bring a picnic and join the tea party. The monumental figures of Alice, the March Hare, Cheshire Cat, Dormouse and Mad Hatter are waiting for you and your family to complete the scene!
In honor of the sesquicentennial, Mongeon is also creating – and hiding – 150 different elements within the scene, inviting park visitors on an interactive journey. For example, if guests look carefully, they may find a small Humpty Dumpty hiding, and the waiting White Queen tucked into the bronze “bark” legs of the table and benches.
The sculpture and Evelyn’s Park, located in Bellaire, will be a “destination spot” for visitors to the Houston area and the fans of the endearing story of Alice in Wonderland. To follow the artist’s process, learn more about the treasure hunt and receive hints about the 150 hidden items in “Move One Place On,” visit the artist’s website at www.creativesculpture.com or follow the artists’s process on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FindingAliceSculpture.
Learn more about the sculpture from this YouTube Video https://youtu.be/P1J821vwkr8
Bridgette Mongeon is a Houston, Texas sculptor whose commissioned work is collected worldwide. She is also an author of a new book “3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling.” She looks forward to documenting her process of creating “Move One Place On” for a new book. Mongeon uses a mixture of traditional sculpting and digital technology such as 3D printing in her work. She enjoys encouraging others as a visiting speaker on creativity, technology and math using this famous literary work and her art.
Evelyn Park is made possible by land donated to the City of Bellaire by the Jerry and Maury Rubenstein Foundation to honor their mother, Evelyn, who valued nature, community and family. The Rubenstein brothers hope to create a special kind of curious adventure on this 5-acre site in the heart of Bellaire by maintaining a green space in the heart of the city. For more information about Evelyn’s Park, please visit www.evelynspark.org.
ABOUT EVELYN’S PARK CONSERVANCY Founded in 2011, Evelyn’s Park Conservancy is a nonprofit citizens’ organization dedicated to the stewardship and improvement of Evelyn’s Park. The land was donated to the City of Bellaire on the condition that it would be developed as a park; a beautiful, safe and quiet respite for its surrounding communities. EPC is committed to designing, developing and transforming the 5-acre historic former Teas Nursery site into a park that will enhance the health, safety and well being of the citizens of Bellaire, Texas and surrounding communities. For more information, please visit www.evelynspark.org.
________________________________________
For more information about this press release, please contact:
Bridgette Mongeon 713-540-3201
Bridgette@creativesculpture.com
IMAGES- Images for this press release are found at:
More information can be found on the Finding Alice Press Page
Bridgett invites the media to come and jump down the rabbit hole and watch the process of creating “Move One Place” on.
A Wonderful Podcast Extra Segment About Me and B. B. King
I’m so glad that Tracy and Tom put together this page and extra little podcast segment about my interaction with B. B. King and how his death sparked my family into remembering. The message also holds some special things for all artists and artistic families. If you have not had a chance to listen to the short segment, it is not long.
The little podcast above was cropped from our long podcast. Here is a link to Tom and Tracy’s podcast about the book. Though their podcast primarily focuses on fused filament fabrication (type of 3D printing ) they diverted a bit to podcast with me about my book coming out in Sept. called 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling
PAY ATTENTION- Important- They Are Going To Blow Up This Treasure Trove
I wrote about the importance of our cultural heritage in my new book 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling
In the book I talk about how a company called Cyark is scanning cultural artifacts from all over the world. They are doing this in the hopes of preserving and documenting these treasures in case of natural or human destruction. Mes Anyak is a 5,000 year old and very large archaeological site that is an incredibly rich cultural reservoir with art that is being uncovered and expected to be uncovered for the next 40 years. Here is the catch— it is scheduled to be blown up. You will have to follow the links in this post and be sure to read my book to discover why. ( Don’t wait for the book- act now!)
Only 10% of Mes Aynak has been excavated, though, and some believe future discoveries at the site have the potential to redefine the history of Afghanistan and the history of Buddhism itself. (From http://www.savingmesaynak.com/)
I came upon Mes Anyak while writing my book and my heart wept at what I saw. I immediately felt a kinship to Brent Huffman for his work in trying to spread the word about Mes Anyak. I was honored to feature his photography and this incredible place in the book. Though 3D scanning is a wonderful way to preserve and document, and I would love to talk to anyone who is 3D scanning any part of Mes Anyak for my Art and Technology Podcast. But scanning feels like putting a bandaid on a gun shot wound. To me, it is senseless to blow up this treasure trove- akin to murder. Brent is trying to make a documentary to spread the word about Mes Anyak in the hope of saving it. Please visit his kickstarter campaign.
Like Mes Anyak—Brent has limited time.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Please watch the video of this incredible place, visit the kickstarter, help and pass on this post to others.
Time is of the essence.
Help #SaveMesAynak from Kartemquin Films on Vimeo.
National Sculpture Society – “Hand Versus Computer”
I’m delighted that the National Sculpture Society invited me to participate in education at the National Sculpture Society Conference June 26-28, 2015.
In 2007/2008 I wrote an article about combining traditional and digital technology called Exploring Digital Technologies as Applied to Traditional Sculpture and a sidebar on Shan Gray’s sculpture The American . The magazine that I wrote this for is Sculpture Review – a publication of the National Sculpture Society. All those years ago I was working on a degree combining 3D technology in fine art. This type of degree was not even heard of and would not have been possible without the support of Goddard College Master of Fine Art in Interdisciplinary Arts degree. Eight years later, my book titled 3D Technology In Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling by Focal Press is being published, and I’m headed to the National Sculpture Society Conference to discuss these topics.
I’ll be participating in the conference in Philadelphia on a panel- “Hand versus Computer.” I’m accompanied by some incredible artists.
The panel consists of Sabine Howard, George Nista, Simon Indrele, Sandis Kondrats, Jim Licaretz, and me Bridgette Mongeon. Once again, I’m the only female on a panel talking about technology. Tuck Langland will be moderating the panel.
Though the Society Conference has me listed for the book signing, my book won’t be ready. It is coming out in Sept, but is available for pre-order on Amazon. So, technically I won’t be able to participate in the book signing. However, when I’m not on the panel, I’ll be in the vendor area. I’ll be talking about the process of creating the Grambling State Tiger featured in the book, the many different technologies and the artists that I featured in the book. Of course, I’ll also be talking about my new book and art project of Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Tea Party. This new project is pushing the combination of art and technology to the max. Check out the video below or on YouTube. My time in the vendor area will be like my interactions at 3D Printer World Expo 2015, 2014.
Thank you Focal Press for believing it is time for this type of book.It took a long time to convince a publisher to publish a book on the topic of art and technology. I also want to thank them for supplying me with a sample of the book prior to the release date so that I can have it for this conference. The book is available on Amazon but, the actual release of the book is September 2015.
There is still time to register for the conference. Also stay tuned. I’m trying to podcast with some of the participants from the conference for the art and technology podcasts. I’ll either do this before if we can fit it in or after. But, as always, keep checking the book’s website as I podcast monthly with those working with art and technology. You are also welcome to use the podcast episodes on your website or ezine.
If you are going to the conference and want to set up a fireside chat around some drinks or a meal, I’d love to organize one. Just let me know. We did this at 3D Printer World Expo and those participating found it helpful. And as usual you can share your own work on 3D tech and fine art projects and questions on both LinkedIn and Facebook. I’ll be glad to help!
See you in Philly!
An Offer To The New Yorker
As many know I’m working on a magnum opus- a monumental bronze sculpture of Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party for a Texas park. The details are found in this video. I use traditional processes and digital processes which make this entire project a very intriguing story. How do I use 3D printing, or CNC milling to create this art? Watch the video, though there is no way to show all the technology in this video. I’m really pushing the limits here. I’m also hiding 150 elements within the bronze scene in honor of this year being the 150th anniversary of the story of Alice in Wonderland.
Those who study Lewis Carroll know he loved puzzles and riddles. Well, these hidden objects celebrate Carroll’s curiosity of puzzles and riddles. Don’t fret, you will be able to follow along and find some of these hidden treasures if the New Yorker takes up my offer. I will reveal the hidden items, the placement and their meaning to the New Yorker so they may publicize them in their paper for the duration of the time I am sculpting the monumental bronze pieces—approximately the next 6 months.
You will notice by watching the video that I am creating two books on the Alice Project. One is a process book that explains the process of creating the Alice scene. This shares many of the details of using the technology and combining it with traditional sculpture, and is very similar to my recent book, but just focusing on Alice. The other book is the field guide. This field guide gives you hints to the 150 hidden elements and a place to record them. I expect these books to come out in 2017 as the sculpture will need to be placed before I can finish writing the books. However, If the New Yorker takes me up on my challenge then individuals that read the New Yorker, will have some of these answers.
So what do you say New Yorker? Will you jump in the rabbit hole with me? I will only make this offer for one national magazine and I sure hope it is the New Yorker.
There are several media pages for this Alice project that you can find on my website
Also there is a Facebook page for Finding Alice.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
A Challenge For Bill Geist of Sunday Morning
CBS Sunday Morning
Bill Geist,
I would like to invite you to come and hide something in my monumental bronze sculpture that I am making of the Mad Hatter Tea Party for a Texas Park. Yes, you will make your mark forever captured in bronze. If you prefer you can bring a grandchild to create something to hide. ( Please note this offer is not open to the general public. The only other people working on this sculpture is me and my interns. ) I’m hiding 150 elements of the story in the scene of the Mad Hatter Tea Party before it is turned into bronze. Come be creative and take part in helping me develop this treasure hunt.
You must be “curious.” Join me in creating this incredible piece of bronze art that will last long after we are gone. I’m looking forward to celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Alice in Wonderland with you.
Don’t worry, not all of the hidden elements are 3D printed and embedded into the clay before it goes to bronze. I can give you some clay to create something fun, I’ll even help you if you need it. Of course this celebrates the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland so you might want to brush up on the story a bit to find something to sculpt. I’ll even let you place your hidden object in the large Mad Hatter scene, but I ask that the camera’s not divulge the place we put it and you must not tell a soul, as it is, after all, a treasure hunt.
So Bill do you accept the challenge?
Please let me know.
Here is a link to a press release about the project
And… if you would like to see a video of the art the concept and the process that incorporates traditional sculpting and digital technology here is a video that explains how that is happening. ( Yes, We will be using 3D printing on a monumental bronze, no Bill, you won’t have to work on the computer to do this, unless you want to.)
Looking forward to your response.
Bridgette Mongeon
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Option 2.
I will 3d scan your face using just photographs – Yes, it is all apart of some of the crazy technology and math combined with traditional sculpture that is involved with this project. I’ll use a program such as 123D catch which is free for anyones phone. I have done this with a friend which you can see the results here. He will be one of the 3 naves that paint the roses red. If you did not want to sculpt one of the 150 items and would prefer to do this, I would be happy to immortalize you in bronze.Pick a nave and an expression. You would actually be perfect for this. I could use the digital scan of your face and attach it to the sculpting that I do of these naves, and then 3D print the image and add it to the scene before it is turned into a bronze sculpture. Then just like that you are a part of the sculpture captured forever in bronze.
Complicated? Not really, but it is my challenge to introduce others not just to the story of Alice, literature, and fine art, but the wonders of incorporating digital technology in fine art as I featured in my last book. Check out the video to see how else I use digital technology in my traditional sculpting.
So, are you up for the challenge?
For Immediate Release – Sculptor Jumps Down the Rabbit Hole in Celebration of Alice In Wonderland’s 150th Anniversary
Monday June 15, 2015
A Sculptor Jumps Down the Rabbit Hole
in Celebration of Alice In Wonderland’s 150th Anniversary
As the world celebrates the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” an artist is creating a special kind of curious adventure. Houston, Texas artist Bridgette Mongeon designed a monumental sculpture of the Mad Hatter Tea Party. She was inspired by the famous sculpture of “Alice in Wonderland” located in New York’s Central Park. Philanthropist George Delacorte commissioned that Alice sculpture from José de Creeft and donated the sculpture in 1959.
Mongeon has been working diligently over the last few years to finalize the design to celebrate Alice. The artist is now translating the small, sculpted maquette and digital designs into a ten-foot table that will seat six to eight additional guests. Eight-foot bronze characters host the fanciful feast.
Mongeon has titled the new sculpture of the Mad Hatter tea party, “Move One Place On.” The title reflects the Mad Hatter’s announcement at the tea party prior to everyone changing places. The artist hopes visitors will develop the tradition of shouting the proclamation and changing places on their visit to the sculpture at the park.
The Texas park (The location will soon be announced.) and the sculpture will be a “destination spot” for those in Texas and the fans of the endearing story of “Alice in Wonderland.” Visitors can bring their picnics, sit at the bronze table, and share a meal with the monumental figures of Alice, the March Hare, Cheshire Cat, Dormouse and Mad Hatter. In fact, Mongeon created each character to interact with the visitors at the table. That means that you and your family, as a curious guest, complete the scene.
You won’t need reservations for the most imaginative dining in Texas. However, if other guests occupy the Mad Hatter scene, there is still much to do as Mongeon is also creating a treasure hunt within the sculpture. In honor of the sesquicentennial Mongeon is placing 150 different elements within the scene. Look carefully, and you might find a hiding Humpty Dumpty and the waiting White Queen tucked into the wooden bark legs that make up the table and benches. To learn more about the treasure hunt and receive hints about the 150 hidden items in “Move One Place On” visit Bridgette Mongeon’s website at https://creativesculpture.com or follow the process on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/FindingAliceSculpture
Mongeon expects to complete and install the sculpture late 2016.
________________________________________
For more information concerning this press release contact:
Artist— Bridgette Mongeon 713-699-1739 landline
A video featuring the process and showing Bridgette Mongeon’s work has been created to accompany this press release. Find it on you tube at https://youtu.be/P1J821vwkr8
2 New Book Projects!
I have already started on another book project. This new project I’m tentatively calling Finding Alice- Process Book. It is similar to the 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling
The second book project is titled Finding Alice-Field Guide. As the press on the project states, if you go to the sculpture and all of the seats are taken at the bronze tea party, do not dismay. You can begin to look for the 150 different elements hidden in the bronze. This second book written in rhyme, riddle etc is a field guide to understanding and finding all of the 150 elements. You may need the process book and an understanding of Lewis Carroll to know them all. Still looking for the correct publisher for this book. I’m not sure it is the right fit for the publisher of 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling
These two books will be out in 2017 as I need to finish the sculpture first. Still have two other books 3/4 of the way done and inspired by others. Ah my two loves. Sculpting and writing, they do vie for my attention.
For hints on the 150 items follow this blog or the Finding Alice Page on Facebook.
The media and press pages have much more information about this sculpture project.
Here is a wonderful podcast that talks about the books. Thanks to Tom and Tracy for the interview.
Being A Mentor-
I love to inspire other people in their creative endeavors. In all my own explorations of writing, art, podcasts, tutorials, blogging it is what excites me. By my sharing I might be able to help another person in their creative exploration.
I take on interns in the studio on a regular basis, but I wanted this mentorship program to be more one on one, more instructional and geared to advancing the knowledge of the individuals particular direction. I have looked for mentorship programs in the arts. I had the idea that I could mentor a young student or even college student either locally or abroad. In my research I have found their are mentor programs in just about everything else but… the arts. Last year, before our regular Upside Christmas Party and Art Show I put together a small poster of my desire to be a mentor and put it on my door. There was a young visitor at the studio who came with his parents. He saw the post and asked his parents if he could apply.
It took Austin 6 months, but this week I received his letter of intent. His parents said he rewrote it many times.
Now to work out the structure of this Mentorship Program. If you want to follow along I’ll be tagging these posts with the category Mentorship Program. I also created a blog where Austin and I will be working. YOu can find it on The Creative Endeavor- Mentor page. Perhaps you want to follow along or know someone else who might want to follow along. Of course, unless they sign up with me they won’t get the one on one that I am giving Austin.
Yes, I know I am very, very busy. But this mentorship is very important to me. And as long as Austin puts in the work, I’ll be right behind him.
HOW WE STARTED
First off is the contract- I think it is important to hae a commitment between the individuals. I want to know that the student is serious and I am sure he wants to know I am serious.
I hope to structure this mentorship similar to the self guided progreessive education that I experienced at Vermont College or Goddard College.
Structure of contract.
MENTOR CONTRACT
Contract between Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon (Mentor)
and _________________________________________________________ (Student).
Age____________________Birthdate_____________________ Grade_____________
It is understand that student and mentor are entering into an agreement of inspirational and creative nature.
Bridgette agrees to assist _______________________________________
in exploring his/her creative potential through :
- One on one classes
- Instruction
- Conversations
- Field trips and work in the artist’s studio when possible.
It is understood that this is a summer contract and is more rigorous than a school year mentor program. This mentor program goes from The May 19th to August 24th.
The student agrees to a commitment of a minimum of four hours a week to this agreement. The commitment not only includes the above but the student also agrees to:
- Do the designated “homework” as instructed by mentor
- Document his creative endeavors as instructed by mentor
Every other week the student agrees to send a progress report to the mentor. This progress report is a simple letter that states what he/ she has done for the last two weeks, how they felt about it, talk about art they have started/finished, art shows they have attended and artists they have reviewed and books that they have read. (This can also be done, with the permission of the parents on a free blog created by the mentor and student at blogspot.com, and through phone conversations)
- The student commits to keeping a regular hardbound drawing book and filling one page a week.
- Student agrees to read a minimum of 2 art books from the designated list of reading. ( We will be reading one together)
- Student understands that this is a self-guided study with the overseeing of the mentor. Additional work and other artistic distractions are encouraged.
Student understands that should the mentorship program interfere with regular school studies the mentorship will be immediately dissolved. By signing this agreement, parents realize that there is sometimes danger when working with art tools and the mentor will not be held liable for any injury to their child. Should the child and parent wish the mentorship to continue after the designated period the student can apply for another mentorship. Mentor asks that parents send a letter to her after the completion of this program reviewing the program and the progress they see in the student.
Parents agree that they will help encourage and support the student in this creative endeavor.
Date____________________________________________
Mentors signature____________________________________________________
Student’s signature __________________________________________________
Parent’s signature___________________________________________________
The Beginning
In June of 2015 Shirley and David Griffin contacted me about creating a possible commission of John Turner. There are always many things to figure out at the beginning of a commission. What size sculpture does the client envision? What is the vision of the possible client and then, once these are decided, it is important to get prices from my foundry so all of the costs are known. Meanwhile, my client searches for the proper spot to place this tribute and, if I am not installing the sculpture then they will need to figure out who will install the sculpture. Needless to say, there are lots of details to figure out before things are settled, before I can think about sculpting.
|While Shirley and David where working on these details, I was signing one of the biggest commission of my career, a monumental sculpture of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party for Evelyn’s Park in Bellaire, Texas. ( You can follow along with this job on the Finding Alice Sculpture Facebook Page. ) Though this sculpture is not as large as the Grambling Tiger sculpture at 15’ tall, it is the largest in scope as it contains an 8’ mad hatter, Alice and March Still, Shirley said she knew I was the one to create this sculpture. She felt we clicked, and when all of the other details were confirmed, we signed a contract. It was a lovely Christmas gift to get the contract the day before Christmas. I’m delighted that this contract holds a place in our studio schedule and we are all excited about starting the project.
Hare, along with a 10 foot table, and if that were not enough to sculpt, there is a plaque and 150 elements that I am trying to hide in the scene. I knew this job would take a big chunk out of my schedule for the 2016.