Candle Ice Two
'Candle Ice Two' (Left Antler Finished) by Shane Wilson
April 30, 2012
Though the lighting is poor, the left antler has been completed. Here it is on its own, front and back and oriented beside the right antler, prior to carving.
'Candle Ice Two' (Left Antler - Phase 9) by Shane Wilson
April 30, 2012
Carving on the left moose antler is finished, front and back worked to a complementary state of completion. I have applied a coating of satin lacquer to seal and protect the antler.
'Candle Ice Two' by Shane Wilson (front view)
'Candle Ice Two' by Shane Wilson (rear view)
'Candle Ice Two' by Shane Wilson (front view)
'Candle Ice Two' by Shane Wilson (rear view)
'Candle Ice Two' (Plinth Design and Four Seasons Hotel exterior)
April 16, 2012
This is the schematic for the plinth, complements of James Robertson Art Consultants and Yabu Pushelberg. The sculpture will sit, offset, on a gorgeous metal base and be protected by an elegant glass case.
During my visit to Toronto today, I stopped by the construction site of the new Four Seasons Hotel. Here is the hotel as it looks from a couple of blocks over, the shell almost complete.
This is the Bay Street entrance (left) and lobby wall, behind which 'Candle Ice Two' will be located.
'Candle Ice Two' (Left Antler - Phase 8) by Shane Wilson
April 12, 2012
Time to give some thought to the support for the sculpture and the means by which it will be attached to the plinth. It is difficult to make this determination prior to the completion of the bulk of the carving, since the balance points will change as material is removed.
It turns out that this antler balances quite well with a little pressure on the outlying tine, seen here held with the black Veritas bench clamp. It should be possible to add a fastening element at this point to join antler to plinth.
It may also be prudent to add a supporting element to the back of the sculpture, where I have placed the brass post in the third image. This will take some of the weight of the sculpture and make the installation a little more secure.
It turns out that this antler balances quite well with a little pressure on the outlying tine, seen here held with the black Veritas bench clamp. It should be possible to add a fastening element at this point to join antler to plinth.
It may also be prudent to add a supporting element to the back of the sculpture, where I have placed the brass post in the third image. This will take some of the weight of the sculpture and make the installation a little more secure.
'Candle Ice Two' (Left Antler - Phase 7) by Shane Wilson
April 11, 2012
I have decided to preserve the cool curvy shapes around the base of the antler, while working an angular pattern into the butt as an embellishment that will tie the overall abstract triangular pattern together around the smooth curved hub.
'Candle Ice Two' (Left Antler - Phase 6) by Shane Wilson
April 09, 2012
Although this work on the back of the antler was not part of the original commission, I have added it to enhance the effect, since the plinth will enable viewers to walk completely around the sculpture.
Again, the images are from the most recent version to the earliest.
The refining process to come will involve a careful working of the lines from the front and back at the same time, in order to avoid creating lines on one side that are not consistent with the lines on the other.
Again, the images are from the most recent version to the earliest.
The refining process to come will involve a careful working of the lines from the front and back at the same time, in order to avoid creating lines on one side that are not consistent with the lines on the other.
'Candle Ice Two' (Left Antler - Phase 5) by Shane Wilson
April 06, 2012
The following images (latest to earliest as you scroll down) indicate the stages of the roughing out process on the front face of the left moose antler of the pair that make up this sculpture.
There is still quite a bit of refining of the lines yet to be done, but I will move on to the reverse of the antler to create a shallow relief version which will mirror the front. This will serve to heighten the illusion that the sculpture is made of individual shards of candle ice.
There is still quite a bit of refining of the lines yet to be done, but I will move on to the reverse of the antler to create a shallow relief version which will mirror the front. This will serve to heighten the illusion that the sculpture is made of individual shards of candle ice.
'Candle Ice Two' (Phase 4) by Shane Wilson
March 05, 2012
Using a drill press with the gold, colbalt bits, one or more pilot holes were created in each of the negative spaces, previously marked out in orange pencil crayon.
Then using the sabre/jig saw with a 1/4" blade, most of the negative spaces were roughed out. The remaining negative spaces were too small for the blade or in a position difficult for the saw to access.
These spaces will be created during the carving process.
Then using the sabre/jig saw with a 1/4" blade, most of the negative spaces were roughed out. The remaining negative spaces were too small for the blade or in a position difficult for the saw to access.
These spaces will be created during the carving process.
'Candle Ice Two' (Phase 3) by Shane Wilson
March 02, 2012
A band saw is a wonderful thing, especially a good one that is able to hold a straight line. However, it is limited in application to the outer edges of the carving.
In this phase, I have also coloured the negative spaces in orange prior to drilling pilot holes and rough cutting them out with a sabre saw/jig saw.
(Steel City 14" Band Saw with 3/8" blade)
In this phase, I have also coloured the negative spaces in orange prior to drilling pilot holes and rough cutting them out with a sabre saw/jig saw.
(Steel City 14" Band Saw with 3/8" blade)
'Candle Ice Two' (Redesign) by Shane Wilson
February 25, 2012
The original design has been modified to more closely reflect the original 'Candle Ice' sculpture, upon which the commission was based, featuring its straight, angular lines intended to contrast elegantly with the other art pieces chosen for the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto lobby.
'Candle Ice Two' (Phase 2) by Shane Wilson
February 22, 2012
The design is complete. It combines an assortment of elongated curved shapes, representing the heat of the sun, with thin rectangular shapes, representing candle ice which has shattered and fallen away from the main sheet of ice, represented by the solid portion around the base of the antler. This portion is also pierced by the heat of the sun, showing the curved heat pattern as a negative space.
The shape of the tines will be preserved as stretched drops of rain, kryptonite to candle ice.
The offset arced elements tie the two antlers together compositionally and also represent the phalanx-like characteristic of candle ice in its immediate pre-shattered state.
Dimensions of the combined antler sculpture - 116 cm wide x 72 cm high x 51 cm deep.
The shape of the tines will be preserved as stretched drops of rain, kryptonite to candle ice.
The offset arced elements tie the two antlers together compositionally and also represent the phalanx-like characteristic of candle ice in its immediate pre-shattered state.
Dimensions of the combined antler sculpture - 116 cm wide x 72 cm high x 51 cm deep.
'Candle Ice Two' (Phase 1) by Shane Wilson
February 15, 2012
The antlers have been 'skinned' and prepared to receive the design, which will be created directly on the surface of the antlers. Skinning the antlers is effected by lightly sanding the surface with an angle grinder and sanding disks.
I have used a variety of angle grinders over the years and have found the Walter 4.5" slip-clutch grinder to be a superior tool. It operates very smoothly, with no wrenching action on start-up, and disk changes are a breeze.
I have used a variety of angle grinders over the years and have found the Walter 4.5" slip-clutch grinder to be a superior tool. It operates very smoothly, with no wrenching action on start-up, and disk changes are a breeze.
'Candle Ice Two' (Begin) by Shane Wilson
February 13, 2012
I have been commissioned by James Robertson Art Consultants to create an abstract sculpture from two moose antlers for the lobby of the brand new Four Seasons Hotel and ResidencesToronto. (For a look at an artist's conception of the hotel and a lobby floor plan, click here.)
What a spectacular honour to be a part of this stellar Canadian art collection curated by the James Robertson group for the hotel's design team of Yabu Pushelberg.
The concept for the commission is abstract in nature, with 'Candle Ice' as a reference, to be realized on two moose antlers, positioned together and flush-mounted on a bronze plinth.
A variety of moose antlers were presented as options, of which the following pair were chosen for the sculpture.
What a spectacular honour to be a part of this stellar Canadian art collection curated by the James Robertson group for the hotel's design team of Yabu Pushelberg.
The concept for the commission is abstract in nature, with 'Candle Ice' as a reference, to be realized on two moose antlers, positioned together and flush-mounted on a bronze plinth.
A variety of moose antlers were presented as options, of which the following pair were chosen for the sculpture.