Sculpture
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A New Book Proposal
I just sent a new book proposal to the publisher. Art and Technology- Exploration of resources and advancements in digital sculpting, printing, milling and scanning. I know, I am just able to breath after fishing Digital Sculpting with Mudbox Essential Tools and Techniques for Artists.
I’m also knee deep in the Art and Technology podcast and the new website at http://www.digitalsculpting.net
The new book project is terribly exciting. It will feature a great deal of the research I am doing on this subject for my graduate studies. As I stated in the book proposal.
Art and Technology- Exploration of resources and advancements in digital sculpting, printing, milling and scanning. Finally, a resource guide for understanding and accessing tools in digital printing, milling and scanning. This technology is not just for manufacturing or engineering but can be embraced by designers, traditional and graphic artists who want to utilize these technologies in their creativity and in their workflow. This resource breaks down the process and possibilities for artists.
This book helps to inspire, as artists can see what others have created and push their imagination utilizing new technology. The technology can help save artists time and help artists create in ways that have never been conceivable until this time. Inspiration- strengthens your creativity and enlarges your artistic tool set.
I should know something in two – three weeks.
Frankensteinian Art?
My studies of researching digital technology and incorporating it into my traditional sculpting processes is part of what I am doing for my graduate degree at Goddard. It has taken me to places I would have never dreamed of going. Several months ago while researching 3d printers I began to realize that individuals were pushing anything they could through the printers to see what would happen, metal, ceramic, even glass. It was then that I wondered about biology. And I was certainly thrown for a loop when I found that they were printing bone, skin and now even organs. I wrote about this and had several links to articles about the subject in the October 28th blog article, I’m a genius! 3D Printing of the Human Organs?
I did, at that time, however, happen upon another artist’s work that after finding and reading I quickly clicked off of. The project has haunted me since then. There was such uneasiness when I first happened upon it that I didn’t even put it in my college bibliography. I am wondering now, why. Why am I so uneasy? It was exciting for me to find that science is now printing biology, and that someday, if I need a kidney I might be able to have my own kidney printed. But incorporating this other type of biology into art left me feeling uncomfortable. The topic has come up more than once since this first encounter with Stelarc’s art piece The Partial Head. The Partial Head is a prosthetic portrait of the artist that is computer generated and can talk to the viewer. This portrait is digitally printed and then seeded with living cells. Of course, the artwork needed a bioreactor/incubator circulatory system to survive. It only lived a week before becoming contaminated and “died.”
The Partial Head website acknowledges the collaboration of, The Tissue Culture & Arts Project (TC&A). http://www.tca.uwa.edu.au/ In a Leonardo Journal, article entitled, Growing Semi-Living Sculpture: The Tissue Culture & Art Project by Oron Catts and Ionat Zurr it state that they use “living tissue to create/grow semi-living object/sculptures and to research the technologies involved in such a task.” I need to examine, in my own mind, why creating organs to extend life, and using living cells to create art feels so different to me. Though both remind me of the scene from the movie Frankenstein.
Victor Moritz: Henry – In the name of God!
Henry Frankenstein: Oh, in the name of God! Now I know what it feels like to be God!
Is it my cultural upbringing that makes me uneasy about this? I have warned myself to be careful. Some fear is healthy; it does keep us from danger, however, it can also keep us from exploration. The difficulty is in knowing when have we gone too far.
Doctor Waldman: You have created a monster, and it will destroy you!
Another Sterlarc’s project consists of growing a 1 /2 scale ear. In another piece of art titled. Victimless Leather The TC&A project works at initiating a discomfort in the viewer as they digitally print a miniature coat over scaffolding with tissue that looks like — human skin.
Of course, growing things can be found everywhere. How is this technology any different than growing a topiary over a metal structure that becomes a living thing that will grow and I must tend? There are many ethical questions raised with TC&A ‘s project. For example, “Do these entities contribute to the objectification of living organisms?” In my previous comparison I honestly don’t feel that I am objectifying the ivy on the topiary. Nor do I feel I am killing portions of it when I prune the art. How is this different? Are we enthused with our control over the living material? This Frankensteinian idea towards art was also expressed in a recent Art and Technology podcast that I conducted with Robert Michael Smith. It appears these questions will continue to be raised and that artists that are presented with tools to push their creative limits and to initiate a reaction in the viewer will do so. It has certainly initiated a reaction from me. It will continue, and we just may see more art that for lack of a better word, can be referred to as Frankensteinian.
TC&A also examines, “the gap between the fast pace of development in science and technology and the slower pace of cultural understanding and adaptation.” They are indeed pushing the limits of acceptance both socially and culturally. They hope that the term “semi living object/products and sculptures” will make the art more palatable. “Our art challenges many people to examine their perception of the boundary between the living and the inanimate:” Their goal is get these projects to a point where the art can live out of their contained environment and provide tactile interaction with the viewer. I’m sure this will not be the last you hear about this subject on this blog, or the Art and Technology podcast. But I’m interested in knowing what other people feel about these works of… “art?”
Look! It’s moving. It’s alive. It’s alive… It’s alive, it’s moving, it’s alive, it’s alive, it’s alive, it’s alive, IT’S ALIVE!
Henry Frankenstein
( Oron Catts will be one of my up and coming interviews ( INTERVIEW) on the Art and Technology Podcast listen from the Digital Sculpting.net website or Subscribe to the podcast in itunes ) This podcast was recorded May 23, 2010 and will be up at the http://www.digitalsculpting.net website by May29th.
If you are reading this blog post from facebook and do not see the videos and or photographs visit https://creativesculpture.com/blog
Memorial And Posthumous Sculpture
If you are at this part of Ms. Mongeon’s web site you are probably considering a sculpture to honor someone that you love or admire. A sculpture that captures and expresses the incredible magnitude of not only a person but a life lived. Posthumous or memorial sculpture is one of the artist’s favorite sculptures to create.
“The process of remembering and creating is not always an easy subject for individuals to broach. I understand all of the nuances involved and would be honored to create this work of art with you. To not only lovingly guide you through the creative process and the recollection of the loved one, but also to celebrate this life with you. Thank you so much for considering me. I am truly honored.”
Bridgette Mongeon
You can see some of memorial sculpture work on the gallery pages. Ellie, shown on this page, has her own page discussing the process that the artist and her parents went through in creating the Ellie memorial. If you would like to talk further about a project please fill in the artist’s contact form and she will be in touch with you.
The following is an excerpt from the artist’s upcoming book Bringing to Life the Spirit of the Deceased- A Sculptor’s Journey Chapter One- Why I Am Drawn to Posthumous Sculpture.
“I have always been intrigued with the story that I heard about elephants, marveling at the bones of their ancestors that they never knew. I remember seeing an elephant documentary that said that elephants that came across bones of their ancestors would pick them up and caress them, passing them from one to another in a respectful but mourning ritual. By doing so, it helped them come to terms with death. I feel that this action, this simple action by a wonderful and majestic creature is what I feel when I create posthumous portraiture. When the box of personal affects comes to my studio and I examine its contents, from that day forward until the day that the sculpture is complete, I have spent time lovingly caressing the life that I have had the pleasure of being introduced to. I turn that life over and over in my hands and in my heart as lovingly as those majestic elephants did with the bones of their ancestors. It is through this ritual and my art that my experience is enhanced and the healing process and letting go occur for my client. “
Bridgette Mongeon
The Documentation Of Creating a Life-Size Newsboy Sculpture
This part of Bridgette Mongeon’s blog documents the entire process of creating a life-size sculpture from start to finish. You are welcome to follow the links below, of course they will go backwards. But if you want to start from the front and go back, follow this chronological order.
Students and Teachers.
There are study materials, questions and educational material for much of the process. They are listed below.
Archives from sculptor Bridgette Mongeon and
The Texas Press Association Newsboy sculpture
To read previous journal entry click on the desired date
August 26, 2004
The News
I receive the information that I have been awarded the commission of the Newsboy for the Texas Press Association. In this journal entry I share some of passion for sculpting children and the photo of the Jesse Award created for the Houston Chronicle
Students learn about • Art and History
• Geography
August 27-30, 2004
Thoughts on The Project
• The beginning of the thought process concerning the sculpture
Students learn about • The difference between newsboy and news carrier
• The death of a newsboy • The history of newsboys in America and the Spanish American War
August 28
The Beginning
Students learn about • The first newsboy
August 31, 2004
How I Pick a Pose
• An artist’s reference, Picking a pose
Students learn about • The call of the newsboy events that happened in the last 125 years.
Sept 2, 2004
The Meeting
• Meeting with the Texas Press Association • Deciding on a pose
Students learn about • History of the lost wax method
September 5-7, 2004
Beginning the Small Sculpture
• Working with a model and roughing in the small newsboy sculpture
Students learn about • The history of knickers
September 8-10, 2004
The Sculpting of the Small Newsboy
• Roughing in the face of the small newsboy
Students learn about • Scaling a sculpture • 3D figures of sculptures
September 11-17, 2004
More Research on Clothes
and Sculpting of the Newsboy
• Researching newsboy outfit, zippers, and suspenders.
Students learn about • The newsboy strike of 1899 • the history of the zipper
September 18-26, 2004
A Sewing Pattern for Knickers
and Sculpting Continues
• Roughing in the small newsboy, finding a vintage 1929 newsboy clothing pattern
Students learn about• How artists use proportion and measurements.
September 27-October 3, 2004-
The Creative Process
• Article Printed in the tribune • International newspaper carrier day
• Creative thinking process
Students learn about • History of the sewing machine
• Sewing a 1929 pattern for the newsboy
October 4-11, 2004-
Sculpting Tricks and More Research
• Sculpting tricks
Students learn about • Motivation with their art
October 11-18, 2004-
Sewing a Vintage Outfit From An Old Pattern
• Sewing the outfit for the model • The final pose
Students learn about • Leisure time of a newsboy • Old toys
October 19-25, 2004-
The Finished Small Newsboy Sculpture
• Finishing the small sculpture • Receiving approval
Students learn about • The importance of folds and how to create them.
October 25- November 1, 2004-
Preparing the small Sculpture for the Foundry
• Preparing the small newsboy sculpture for the foundry
• A visit to the capitol building
Students learn about • Elizabet Ney and the history of Texas art • The Texas State Capitol building.
November 2-8, 2004-
Reviewing the Process of Creating
an Original Work of Art
• A review of the previous three months of progress.
• Information about copyrights and limited edition bronzes
Students learn about • Copyrights
November 9-12, 2004-
The Beginning of the Sculpting
on the Life-size Newsboy
• Beginning of the life size newsboy sculpture • Creating the armature
Students learn about • The Penny Press • Yellow Journalism • Newspaper production at the time period of our newsboy
November 13-21, 2004
The Beginning of the Sculpting
on the Life-size Newsboy cont.
• Roughing in the large newsboy sculpture.
Students learn about • How to enlarge a sculpture
November 29- December 6, 2004 –
The Future Journey of our Newsboy
• The future journey of our newsboy
Students learn about
• The State Preservation Board
• The Texas Capitol building
• Texas Legislature • The Texas Senate
December 7 – December 13, 2004-
Frustration Of the Creative Process
• The future journey of our newsboy
Students learn about
• Newsboy Strike • The zipper
December 14 – December 21, 2004-
The Morphing of a Sculpture
December 22 – December 27, 2004
-Working Through the Holidays
December 28- January 3, 2004-
Huge Strides In the life Size Sculpture
January 3-10, 2005-
Now WeAre Getting There
First small newsboy bronze • Head is added to the life size sculpture
January 11-17, 2005-
Details on Life-Size Sculpture Come Together
January 18-21, 2005-
Adding the Hand to the Life-size Sculpture and
Sculpting a Newspaper
January 22-29, 2005-
Sculpting is Complete on the Life-size Newsboy
January 31-February 7, 2005-
The Mold Making Process
February 8-14, 2005
Mold Making Rubber and Fiberglass
February 15-21, 2005-
Pouring the Wax
February 22-28, 2005-
Working the Wax
March 1-7, 2005-
The Dip. Learn about the next step in the bronze casting process – the dip.
March 8-15,2005-
The Metal Pour
Students learn about • The Bronze Casting Process
March 16-April 11, 2005-
Putting the Metal Together
April 12-May, 2005-
Correcting the Metal
May 2005-
Completion of the Newsboy Sculpture
The newsboy sculpture is complete.
May 8 2005
Newsboy Life Size Editions.
Learn about the editions of the newsboy number one and two.
November 29, 2006
The Newsboy Placed
Bridgette visits Austin Texas and sees her sculpture installed. It is her first time seeing it.
November 28, 2006
Another Life-Size Newsboy To Be Created
For $20,000 the artist sells reproductions of the newsboy. Another paper has purchased a newspaper. They are going to pay the extra $2,000 to have the newsboy headline changed to something of their liking.
December 7, 2006
Another Order For a Small Newsboy
For $1,350 plus shipping Bridgette sends the small newsboys to newspapers all over the country. It makes a great gift for a recognition of accomplishment.
January 12, 2007
A New Life Size Newsboy
See number two in the edition of the bronze newsboy at the foundry in bronze.
May 2005- Present-
The Life Size Limited Edition
The placement of the first in the edition of ten life-size bronze Newsboys and the remaining sculptures as purchased complete with their headlines changed to reflect times in history.
March 23, 2007
Artist Carves History In Bronze
A press release about how sculptor Bridgette Mongeon has a limited edition bronze sculpture in which she creates headlines in her bronze newspaper that match her clients inspiration.
May 21, 2007
An Update on Number Two in the Edition of The Life Size Newsboy Bronze
The artist is honored that the headline for number two in the edition for this paper winning the Pulitzer for their fight against the KKK.
November 27, 2007
Newsboy Goes to Canada
Often people will purchase the small newsboy figurine for awards. Learn about the story of the O’Brien family and their contribution to the industry in this post.
May 19, 2009
It Is Getting Moldy Around Here- LOL
Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon searches for all of the molds of the newsboy to send to the foundry.
May 22, 2009
Body Parts About The Studio
June 12, 2009
Wax Newspapers
Bridgette changes the paper that the newsboy holds to reflect a paper in the history of each collector.
July 10, 2009
Newsboy Commemorates Journalism … Again!
Number three in the edition is sold. This time the newsboy will sell his papers in the North West.
July 21, 2009
The Newsboy Will Ship in The Morning!
The sculpture for the Tri-City Herald ships to Kennewick, Washington. Of course the artist changed the paper.
July 17, 2009
What is a Metal Check?
Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon travels to the foundry. She repeats what she has done so many times before.
Sept 5, 2009
Recent Media on The Newsboy Sculpture
A Third Newsboy is Placed in Kennewick WA
September 5, 2009
Television Coverage of the Unveiling of the Newsboy Sculpture
Unfortunately the link was removed as of May 2020.
Television coverage of the unveiling of the Newsboy sculpture.
Here is a link to the television coverage on the Newsboy sculpture.
Recent Media on The Newsboy Sculpture
‘Newsboy’ sculpture unveiled
By Dori O’Neal, Herald staff writer -September 4, 2009
When it comes to hawking newspapers, the first thing most people think of is the paperboy from yesteryear.
You know the one. He sported a Gatsby hat and wool knickers and stood on street corners waving the latest edition while hollering, “Extra! Extra! Read all about it!”
The Downtown Kennewick Merchants Association thought the same thing and paid homage to that historic newsboy by adding its latest public sculpture — aptly titled Newsboy — to the corner of Dayton Street and Kennewick Avenue.
The unveiling was Thursday and kicked off Kennewick’s monthly art walk festivities.
The 4-foot-tall bronze was created by artist Bridgette Mongeon of Texas. She has two other similar newsboy sculptures on display in Austin, Texas, and in North Carolina, said Tim Dalton, executive director of the merchants association.
“We wanted to add a piece of public art like this to our collection because of the historic aspect the newspaper has played here for many, many years,” Dalton said.
The statue is a block south of the Tri-City Herald which has been in downtown Kennewick since 1948, when it moved into a former cannery.
The sculpture depicts a young man holding a newspaper high over his head. The newspaper’s flag reads “Tri-City Herald” above the top story about a Grapefest celebration.
“Grapefest started in 1910,” Dalton said. “It’s not the most continuous festival in the Tri-Cities but it is the oldest so it seemed appropriate to have it be the lead story on the newspaper.”
Several dozen people gathered Thursday for the unveiling as Mark Blotz, president of the downtown association, touted the volunteerism that went into the planning of the project.
Nicole Stewart, 33, lives across the street from the sculpture’s new home and likes the idea of having a piece of art to look at from her kitchen window each day.
“It’s truly awesome,” she said. “Not many places offer this kind of outdoor art.”
Brothers Daxton, 6, and Clayton Doty, 11, thought the sculpture was cool, but didn’t find it inspiring enough to sign up for a paper route, they said.
The sculpture cost $22,000. About $10,000 was raised by the merchant association through fundraisers. The Herald donated $3,500 with several businesses and private citizens donating the rest, Dalton said.
Blotz hopes to see every corner in downtown Kennewick with a piece of public art one day. The downtown area now has eight pieces.
“To have one on every corner would be wonderful,” he said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
The Newsboy Will Ship in The Morning!
Today was the day that we put color on the life-size newsboy sculpture that is headed to Kennewick, Washington. As I mentioned, the shipping company is picking it up in the morning.
The color on a bronze is referred to as the Patina. This sculpture has a traditional patina.
The client asked to see all of the papers that we created representing the Tri City Herald. There are some under the newsboys arm, one in his right hand and a stack at his feet. All have the headline and masthead of the client’s newspaper.
Upon arriving the sculpture has been sand blasted. It looks less shiny than it did when we were here just last week. The sculpture, once sand blasted is ready to receive the patina.
To create the patina the foundry man first heats up the sculpture and then sprays and brushed on different chemicals. He will rub back areas that are supposed to be lighter. I like to alternate color, shoes dark, socks light, pants dark, shirt light etc. Though once placed outdoors the traditional patina will continue to darken. The foundry puts a protective coat of lacquer on the sculpture one the entire patina is complete.
I’m including some close ups of the detail in the shoe. Yes, it is a sculpted shoe. And my signature and copyright on the piece is in the inside of the newspaper that the young man is holding under his arm. Of course there are other things in the newspapers that carry a story, but that is for another post.
Tomorrow the sculpture is crated and shipped. I can’t wait to see the newsboy placed.
What is a Metal Check?
In the very last stage of the foundry process the foundry will call me in for a metal check. I go over the sculpture looking for any imperfections in the metal and marking them with a marker. Of course the Foundry does a wonderful job. Miguel is a great worker and I trust him with my work implicitly. But I still give a once over. The next step is to patina or color the metal. That is scheduled for Tuesday and then the sculpture is off to Kennewick Washington through my shipping company. In 6-8 working days it will be there. Here are some photographs from today’s visit. One of the best workers in the foundry industry Miguel and his boss and owner of Fine Arts Foundry of Texas, Scott Yoast.
Newsboy Commemorates Journalism…Again!
Another life-size newsboy bronze has been sold! You may remember it started with “Dusty” in Austin, Texas, and Then “Billy” in Tabor City, North Carolina. Now another young boy will be hawking papers in the North West. The third in the edition of 10 has been sold to the historical town of Kennewick, Washington Delivery of this third newsboy is expected in August. We have been working on him diligently and thought I would show the progress.
The Foundry is working diligently to get this young man together for shipping to Washington. Legs have been chased and put together, as well as upper torso. A few more pieces to weld together then it is off to Patina. Looks like we are inline with our delivery date. So exciting. I can’t wait to see him installed.