Sculpture- Move One Place On – Alice in Wonderland
Visiting the Bellaire Library
I had fun at the library. My favorite part was meeting Ms. Teas. For those of you who don’t know, the park is placed on the land where Teas nursery used to sit. A long time ago, when I was first starting to sculpt, I had a line of gift items that I called Dandelions and doodlebugs. I sold them at the nursery and would come and sculpt in their gift area to bring attention to the pieces. I guess I have come full circle. I love to hear about the history of the place, the houses, and the teas. Mrs. Teas was the fan of the day. I think people enjoyed the adventure. Can’t wait for the next one. I’m so glad we could meet.
Posted onJuly 15, 2017CategoriesUncategorized
Look Past The Whimsy To The Love
Today I went to Evelyn’s Park. I have not been there since the grand opening April 22, 2017. The grand opening for me was exciting, but also a little bit sad, I had hoped my sculpture would be there for all to enjoy.
Today I went to the park, and especially the memorial garden. Many may not know that there is a special place in the park. It is on the south-east corner of the park and is called Evelyn’s Memorial Garden. You will know it because the pathway changes. It goes from pea gravel to gray brick. In the middle of this memorial garden, there is a spot that is filled with brown mulch and empty. That is where the sculpture of the Mad Hatter tea party will go.
I was delighted that the hard work of the Rubnestein family and foundation had finally come to fruition. It was a long road for them, and they worked hard to get the park to this point. No one, but them and those who dedicated themselves to getting the park done, knows how hard that was. I wanted to go there today and think about that. I wanted to think about Evelyn and how thankful I am that I have been a part of creating a memory in honor of a woman that will be cherished by many. A memory that two boys began, because they loved their mom. I’m thinking back to the dedication plaque
I think we are all so caught up in the idea of the whimsy of the sculpture, and the hidden objects, that somehow the love, the true meaning of this sculpture has been overlooked. Today I went to Evelyn’s Park and talked to Evelyn. On my way. I was overwhelmed with the need and sorrow that I did not bring a rock. I am not Jewish, but my best friend is, and I grew up surrounded by the Jewish culture. Because I also create many sculptures of deceased loved ones I have studied death and the traditions surrounding death. The Jewish traditions surrounding death are some of the most endearing. But my urgency for a rock came from a simple custom combined with my absolute love of rocks. I collect them from wherever I go. Rocks line my window sills. In the Jewish tradition, it is customary to bring a rock to the grave of a loved one.
In article I found on my Jewish learning they quoteRabbi Simkha Weintraub, rabbinic director of the New York Jewish Healing Center . “They say that by placing the stone, we show that we have been there, and that the individual’s memory continues to live on in and through us.”
I don’t know where Evelyn is buried, but I want to celebrate her life. I have studied her as I was also commissioned to do a sculpture of her for the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center. I have been celebrating her life all through the last few years by creating this sculpture. Her children have celebrated her by creating this park, and by commissioning me to do this sculpture for the park in her memory. I do know she was an amazingly strong woman, and I hope I can have her strength, courage and business sense as I proceed in my life. I have decided that I may go and walk this pathway once a week until the sculpture is placed. Don’t be surprised if you see random rocks in the midst of the empty spot. I will be culling through my personal collection and placing them there to honor Evelyn and her memory.
If you go to the park, after the sculpture is installed, look behind this book and dedication plaque. If you see a rock, now you will know what it means, and perhaps you will know that I have been there, or maybe others, and that her memory is indeed continuing to live on, in and through us. We are celebrating the memory of her and finding her love through the whimsy.
Dedication plaque reads…
Once upon a time,
In a land called Bellaire, there were two brothers,
Bo and Jerry Rubenstein.
The boys wanted to do something special,
To honor their mother, Evelyn.
Evelyn would often say,
“The way to make a difference is by giving and sharing.”
And so, in her memory,
The brothers created Evelyn’s Park
And placed within it
Wonderland.
-2016-
The Opening Of Evelyn’s Park
April 22nd was Earth day but this year in 2017 it was also the long awaited opening of Evelyn’s Park Conservancy in Bellaire, Texas. We had hoped the sculpture “Move One Place On” would be installed before the opening, but it is delayed at the foundry. We did have one metal piece – the dormouse, that will sit on the table. We also brought some of the hidden objects and talked to everyone about the sculpture that is schedule to arrive in November- we think- we are still waiting for a new confirmation from the foundry. This is the spot where the table and characters will be- one the Corner of Bellaire Blvd and Mulberry Lane. Keep watching on this blog or the Finding Alice Facebook page for more information.
Local Press About Alice
Much thanks to the Buzz Magazine for the wonderful article. Thank you Jodan Maziner Steinfeld.
How to Create a Monumental Bronze?
This video was created for a home fundraising party for Evelyn’s Park. It describes the process of creating Alice.
Houston Public Broadcasting and Bridgette Mongeon
For artist Bridgette Mongeon having Houston Public Braodcasting come to her studio and film was like old times. When she first began her career they came to her studio and created an artist documentary segment. It won an award. Now, all these years later they are back in her studio.
Just in case you would like to compare the very old channel 8 segment here it is. This was produced by Manny Santos and won the best artists documentary award.
Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon Is Mad As a March Hare When It Comes to Bringing Literature to Life.
Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon is completing the sculpting on a monumental sculpture of Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter Tea Party. As a lover of literature, she would be thrilled to find more patrons that could help her to bring to life children’s literature.
“I want to encourage literacy, inspiration, family and community, and wonder through these works. There are many wonderful books in the public domain from which we can choose- The Wizard of Oz, Brothers Grimm, Peter Rabbit just to name a few.” States Mongeon.
Follow along with the Alice in Wonderland’s sculpture on Facebook.
Alice Gets Bigger And Smaller Not With Mushrooms And Elixirs But With Technology
Many of you have been following along with my very busy schedule of creating the monumental sculpture of the Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Tea Party for Evelyn’s Park in Bellaire, Texas.
You may also know that I had a new book that came out last November called 3D Technology In Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting, and Milling. I’m proud to say it has been a number one new release on Amazon. It seems that from starting the sculpture last July, to the book release in November, it has been a whirlwind of activity in my studio.
You may not know that I have used the same digital technology with the Alice Sculpture as I have written about in the book. It is fascinating, and I can’t wait to write a new book on the process of sculpting Alice.
The Whirlwind Continues
I’m thrilled that my publisher, Focal Press is jumping on board. With the new Alice in Wonderland Movie coming out we have an entirely new promotion strategy for the sculpture and the book. I’m thrilled when Focal Press has asked me to come to book signings, be a featured author, etc. This is a great way to start off my first solo book. I have longed for a publisher that could work with me as a team, and Focal Press is doing just that. Thanks to everyone for jumping down the rabbit hole with me.
Bridgette
Continue to Fall Down a Rabbit Hole
did a wonderful photo shoot for press photos.
The studio has been so very, very busy. Those watching along on the Finding Alice Facebook Page can see just how far we have come. We are over 1/2 through the process of creating a monumental scene of Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter Tea Party. The interns that are working in the studio are a marvelous group and have done a great job. I could not have done this project this quickly without them. Of course incorporating digital technology with traditional technology is also important. I’m using the same processes that I recorded in my book 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling. I can’t wait to write a new book on creating this project. So far, The Mad Hatter, March Hare, Alice and her chair and the Cheshire Cat are complete.
The client came by and gave his approval of the main characters.
Christina Sizemore of Diliberto Photo and Design came by and did a marvelous shoot of both the approval and some press photos for the finished pieces. We also had a gathering at the studio to show family and friends the sculpture. Thank you to all who participated, brought food and drinks and dressed up for the occassion. Alice and the Hatter where also in attendance.
Evelyn’s Park also had a gathering at the studio, bringing the Mayor of Bellaire. People are still dropping by for a photo opportunity before the sculpture is cut up and into mold.
MEDIA WEEKS
The last few weeks have been a media frenzy.
* Ruben Dominguez from Fox 26 came to film a segment for the news.
* Street Stories CW 39 came in and did a segment that made me giggle.
* Channel 13 (ABC) Houston came out and did a feature on Evelyn’s Park and the Art for a piece on parks in Houston. Look at the bottom of this page and see the video.
* KHOU Houston gave Alice her debut. Several segments aired live and then later on in the day.
park, the city council and the mayor. The evening hours Bridgette
Mongeon and her interns invited family and friends. Over 130
people took part in this private viewing of the clay.
* Houston PBS created a segment that is expected to come out in April
* Local Houston Magazine also came out and shot some photographs for an article to come out.
The Houston Chronicle also was out shot images and the Leader was putting something together.
I was also featured on Women in 3D Printing and listed as one of the 25 most influential women in 3D printing.
WORK CONTINUES
The studio has 58 days to get these pieces into mold, but we are still not done.
We have the table and benches along with the hatter’s chair and the pedestal with the book, and we are still hiding things in the scene. Still we celebrate all that has been accomplished so far. It has been a great trip down the rabbit hole.
Speaking at Penn State
This past week, Penn State University, The Behrend College invited me to Erie PA to speak on my new book, “3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling
My host was Heather Cole from Penn State’s new interdisciplinary degree major- Digital Media, Arts, and Technology. My visit was supported by the Endowment Fund. Penn States interdisciplinary degree combines the broad perspective of the liberal arts with technical skill. The Penn State website describes the Digital Media Arts, and Technology major. The students study technology history and theory at the same time they are learning to use the newest programming languages, digital tools, and computer systems. I’m thrilled that this program is looking at using my book as a textbook for Digital Media, Arts, and Technology major.
There were both students from the campus and others from art groups in the area that attended. Many students from the engineering department were also in attendance, in fact, when I asked how many students in the arts that there were in the audience, 1/3 of the audience raised their hands. There were, in fact, more people interested in engineering than those working in the arts. That is no surprise to me. The book and the lecture are very interdisciplinary. I cover such things as 3D printing, and computer numerically controlled machining, digital presentation, and the workflow of a project from digital concept to fabrication. It is a good lecture for both those in the art, those studying engineering, architecture, design, industrial design and more.
Along with the book signing, I had samples of the 3D prints created by 3D RP of the digital design that I used to create the 15-foot bronze sculpture of the Grambling Tiger. 3DRP also created a 3D print of the March Hare. He is a bit stained with clay as we have been looking at him constantly while we are making the 8-foot tall sculpture. Other examples that I brought of 3D printing were some 3d printed bronze by exone. Some 3d printed wax jewelry, articulated pieces and 3d prints that are examples of the great detail you can get from the different types of 3d printing and 3d printing of objects inside of other objects.
Of course, there were plenty of Alice in Wonderland pieces that I was showing and I encouraged attendees to follow along with this newest project on the Finding Alice Facebook Page. And I always try to have other materials that attendees can take home like a list of all of the contact information such as:
- A description of the website created for the book at digitalsculpting.net that has further information will hold tutorials and has podcasts about art and technology.
- There is also a Facebook page for the book. These are created for others to share their work. It is a place where others and I can address questions that people have about the technology and processes, I also encourage vendors to come and share their processes and expertise.
- Brochures from my vendors like Shidoni foundry, my ( CNC) Computer numerically controlled milling companies such Synappsys Digital Services and Across the Board Creations. The video of milling by Synappsys was a big hit in the presentation, and you can see it for yourself on you tube. (Fast forward to about the two minute mark.)
The Digital Media, Arts, and Technology Department brought their MakerBot fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3d printer and had it running. Many thanks to Heather’s Bread and Circus Club at Penn State who monitored the table while I was in giving the lecture.
My daughter created a wonderful banner for my new speaking engagements, and we had that outside the auditorium.
The attendance was great, the hospitality and the quaint campus a pleasure to visit. The next day on my way back to Buffalo for my next engagement, I took a short jaunt to Presque Isle state Park. It was a lovely little side trip. I drove through the park, looked at the wildlife and learned about the Battle of Lake Erie, from which came the saying “We have met the enemy, and they are ours.” The Penn State Library with their intriguing exhibit complete with a replica of the ship was my first introduction to the-the battle of Erie and Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry.
Thanks, Penn State University, The Behrend College. I look forward to helping your students through the various resources mentioned above. Who knows, maybe their work will be in the next edition of 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling
If you are interested in having me come to your University or group, please contact me through my fine art website. I am traveling around quite a bit and would love to come and talk.
Bridgette’s presentation excellently conveyed the practical aspect of 3D modeling. Being able to see the models she created come to life in a real physical project was very inspiring.
Will Gerould- Student
I was thrilled about the broad turn out of students and community members that were in attendance. Bridgette did a wonderful job of covering the subject from an interdisciplinary approach and I think many came out with a better understanding and appreciation of the work involved.
Heather Cole- Instructor Digital Media, Arts, and Technology
Heather, thanks for bringing Bridgette, it was a great glimpse into the life of a professional artist and some amazing technology.
Dr. Chris Coultson- Professor School of Engineering.