Installation of a Major Exhibition in Denmark

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We installed four sculptures, five framed artworks, and numerous story board photos of architecture and infrastructure projects. Sculptures included Ritual Series Retellings 1999-2010 made of pine, cast concrete, bronze, copper, and stone.  158″ wide x 209″ long x 65” tall.

We also installed Ritual Series Map of Memory 2001-2010. This is made of pine, cast concrete, bronze, copper, aluminum, marble, lead, and field stone. It measures 140″ wide x 180″ long x 56” tall.

Both exhibits were well received and included symposia on the role of art in saving the environment, saving the world!

custom made museum display pedestals

As part of the exhibition, a major book on the work of Michael singer was published, The Re-Enchantment of Nature and Urban Space: Michael Singer, Projects In Art, Design, and Environmental Regeneration. It is available in hardcover on Amazon.

Book by Michael Singer

Graffiti Removal in Randolph

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‘Whale Dance’ by Jim Sardonis, July 2019, bronze with dark patina, 16’ x 12’, Randolph, VT. Photo by Lelonie Oatway.
‘Whale Dance’ by Jim Sardonis, July 2019, bronze with dark patina, 16’ x 12’, Randolph, VT. Photo by Lelonie Oatway.

Brief History

Thirty years ago, the sculptor Jim Sardonis of Randolph, Vermont created two large black granite whale tales entitled "Reverence." This sculpture spent 10 years in Randolph before being sold and moved to Technology Park in South Burlington where it remains today. It was originally meant to anchor a sculpture park but that is yet to come about.

Consequently the Preservation Trust of Vermont and the Vermont Community Foundation commissioned Jim to create a larger bronze version, 'Whale Dance' which was installed in July of 2019 and sits on the same spot where "Reverence" spent its first ten years. As you can see in the photo above, 'Whale Dance' is framed by a stunning view of the mountains beyond.

Graffiti

Jim contacted me to remove graffiti. Crayon or lipstick pen appeared in two areas each about 10" square. I agreed to address this immediately even though it was the middle of winter, because graffiti is not only damaging and often ugly, it also encourages more graffiti.

Screenshot_1

Treatment

Removal was easy. I applied acetone which removes most paint and other markings from metal without disturbing the patina. Acetone can be used no matter how cold the weather. Luckily the graffiti was not etched which would have required much more work.

It took about a half-hour. After removing the graffiti I applied a dark wax at the artist's request.

Inspection

In addition to the graffiti removal, I also inspected the sculpture.

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There are no cracks. About two dozen pits of 1/16" diameter or less appear across the surface. These are not a concern since there's no indication of any penetration below the patina such as green spots or streaks.

There are scuff marks where kids have climbed over the wide lower surfaces.

A light green sheen appears on the surface indicating that weather may be causing slight oxidation. The artist informed me that this is by design. It makes the dark surface feel more organic and alive, like whale skin. This is surprisingly effective and a wonderful treatment I never saw before.

Special Effect on Whale Dance by Jim Sardonis
Scuff marks, pits, and faint green sheen.

The sculpture is embedded in the hillside. The foundation is hidden under the surface of the ground. For additional information about the installation please refer to this fine article.

I recommended signage which is proven to reduce vandalism. I also suggested coating the entire surface with a polymer for added protection which we agreed to do in the future.

Why Coat Bronze

Bronze sculpture has traditionally been coated with wax to protect it from
conditions that can harm the metal surface, such as bird droppings, salt air,
and acid rain.

I recommend a polymer coating rather than wax for outdoor sculpture
because it seals small cracks and pits, lasts as much as 10 years (wax lasts less than a year on outdoor sculpture), and is less expensive to apply
and maintain.

Furthermore, polymer coatings are now used by most outdoor sculpture
conservators, reflecting a growing satisfaction with a product that is
relatively new (30 years) in the conservation industry.

This treatment will restore a ‘new’ look which is virtually identical to an
original dark brown semi-gloss bronze patina. The satin effect can be
adjusted by the manufacturer to match perfectly whatever the artists
intends.

Plus, no maintenance is required other than wiping with a cotton cloth and
tap water as needed. When the coating fades, a new coat can be applied
without removing the old one, and this can be done by anyone with painting
skills. Two coats can last as long as 10 years depending on weather
conditions.

I plan to coat “Whale Dance” in the spring. As part of my guarantee, I will return to inspect this work annually for free.

Sculpture Restoration at Becton, Dickinson and Company

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Thirty-Year-Old Sculpture

From March 1 thru 11, 2019, my son William and I restored a 30-year-old in-ground sculpture entitled "Atrium Garden" by Michael Singer. It took us 11 long days. Now It's good for another 30 years!

I was also part of the team that originally installed it in the world headquarters of Becton, Dickinson and Company. After 30 years this sculpture of pine and stone needed serious TLC. The original construction was comprised of wood units made of 2x4's enclosed with ½'' plywood.

Why PT Was Not Originally Used

Pressure treated wood (PT) products first became popular in the 70's, but by the mid-80's when we constructed this sculpture, research indicated that the chemicals used were too toxic for indoor use. It wasn't until the 90's that safer chemicals were used in the production of PT products. Thus, we did not use PT. Instead, we coated the outside plywood with tar and plastic as a safe and effective alternative for protecting the wood from contact with plant irrigation and moist soil.

It held up well, but after 30 years the plastic eroded and the ply rotted. The rot was so extensive that in many places only a sheet of tar remained. The plywood on the visible side of the sculpture was coated with glue and dirt to give the impression of dirt walls as in an excavation. These were in good shape except for the bottom 2" or so where moist dirt created rot. Most of the supporting 2x4's were also pock-marked with rot.

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Each hole is about five and a half feet deep with a concrete floor that we covered with dirt to look like an excavation. Under the plants are about a foot of gravel and topsoil. Filling the remaining space between the floor and the soil were layers of thick 4" rigid foam.

Interestingly, we expected to find small lizards and spiders which we spotted at times during the yearly maintenance visits throughout the past years. We encountered none.

A Dirty Job

The contents of each hole were removed - wood structures and large stones. A manual crane was used to remove the stones which were too heavy to lift by hand. Each structure was rebuilt with pressure-treated plywood. Outdoor-grade latex paint and 35-year latex caulk were applied to the seams and bare wood to match the color of the surrounding dirt. Outdoor-grade decking screws were used at all times.

Then each 'dirt wall' made of plywood and 2x4's was removed and rebuilt. Old ply and 2x4's were replaced with PT. Sheets of thick plastic were placed as an extra protective barrier between the dirt and plants and the new structures. Finally, the wood and stone elements were placed back into their holes.

Challenges

The long days were due to the challenges presented by our location. We stayed at a comfortable hotel only 10 minutes away from the BD campus. We started each day leisurely with a nice hot breakfast and drive over to BD in William's truck by 10am each morning. We estimated 16 days for this project if we worked straight thru with no days off. We couldn't make loud noise from hammers, saws, or vacuums during business hours. So, we used this time to purchase supplies and prepare everything we needed so that once 6pm arrived we were ready for a loud and intense 3 or 4 more hours of work.

Keeping It Safe

Employees were working and walking near us throughout each day. As a result, we were very careful to keep our worksite clean, organized, and safe. We placed safety cones and air filters all around the worksite. The polished granite and marble floors surrounding the sculpture were protected at all times with moving blankets and thick plastic sheet. And of course, we had to watch our language when faced with the occasional frustrating moment!

About BD

BD is the world's largest producer of medical supplies. Their many inventions include the syringe, thermometer, ace bandage, and the black leather doctor's bag, to name just a few. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs nearly 50,000 people in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The founders, Maxwell Becton and Fairleigh Dickinson were also collectors of art. In 1986 work began to create a new campus in Franklin Lakes, NJ. New buildings feature large work spaces with natural light and beautiful art.

Award-Winning Architecture

The architects Kallmann, McKinnell & Wood envisioned a Tuscan villa-style design. The campus is stately buildings set among rolling hills made of mahogany, polished stone, and copper. Their design achieved every major architectural award. The chief architect, Michael McKinnell, placed large atriums within each building and commissioned the sculptor Michael Singer to create two large indoor sculptures and another large outdoor one. Singer and McKinnell became friends and collaborated on subsequent artworks and architectural designs.

Lost Energy

After about the sixth long and hard day, and only half done, we'd had it! My son William and I were feeling a bit down and out with no end in sight. So, we called in our friend Al Chapman to lift our spirits and lighten our load. He works with us on many large projects, and he was just what we needed! His skill, energy, and good humor got us back on track with renewed enthusiasm. Suddenly, the project was almost finished and we were ecstatic!