Page 125 - Casting of Angels- Dave Parvin

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Photograph 3 Photograph 4
Photograph 5
or perhaps come up with a design for The finished mold is in
a very stable bowling pin that could photograph #7. The mother mold was
transform bowling into a sport more made using Forton MG and cotton
like hockey or soccer, i.e. one with batting with scrim binder. This
very low scores. method allows for a mold of even
The next thing I did was make a this size to be only about 1/4 inch
copy in silicone rubber. All I did was thick and there for relatively light.
fill a small cup with alginate and (For a more thorough description of
press in the clay model. As soon as this process, see “Secondary Molds
the alginate had set up, I extracted in Life Casting Part II,” Sculpture
the clay and an poured in the rubber, Journal, Nov. and Dec. 2004 by
a tin cured silicone with a durometer yours truly.) I simply built the Photograph 6
of eight. In photograph #5, I am mother mold around the bulb part of
holding the prototype fastener and the fasteners. Notice that the ends of
the alginate mold. I could have used the fasteners protrude out from the
this mold at least several more times, mother mold.
but since the alginate would have If you are still awake, you may
soon deteriorated, I made some be wondering, “Why bother?” Well,
molds in more durable materials, we took the mold apart, removed the
plaster, polyurethane resin, urethane clay sand bags , and reassembled the
rubber, and Forton MG . These mold. The fasteners positioned the
molds were made the same way as I rubber perfectly into the mother mold
had made the alginate mold except and assured that the rubber stayed
that the rubber fastener was put into securely against the sides. The really
cups of the other materials which all slick thing was how easy it was to Photograph 7
worked about equally well. All poke the end of the fastener through
casting were cured under a pressure its hole in the mother mold and pull it
of 50 p.s.i. While not absolutely into place. (Photograph #8.) It was
necessary, pressure casting does easier and more effective than any
eliminate bubbles. other method I had used in the past.
In photograph #6 we had applied I can’t keep calling my little
four layers of thixotropic tin cured innovation “the fastener,” I need a
silicone rubber and placed the name for it. Perhaps I should call it
fasteners where I felt they would be “the Parvin.” I have been trying to
most needed on the sides and around come up with something that Parvin
what would be the opening for the could stand for. The “Pa” could be
mold. The fasteners were held in “perfectly awesome,” but the “rvin”
place until the rubber set up with hat is giving me trouble. But in any Photograph 8
pins which are barely visible in the event, I am so proud of it that I
photograph. would be happy to send a sample If you have questions or a trick that
One of the real advantages of Parvin to anyone who wants one you’re willing to share please contact
silicone rubbers is that they really along with a simple mold for making me at 303-321-1074 or
bond together. I could make a supply as many as he/she wants. The only parvinstudio@comcast.net. Even if
of fasteners and even after a year, charge would be for shipping; the you do email me, please include your
they would still bond perfectly to fastener and mold along with any phone number because I would rather
uncured rubber. Urethane rubbers are handling would be free. Call me if talk than type. I promise to give you
not as forgiving to work with though you want one. (303)321-1074. credit for any new idea that I find
I could have used urethane rubber in useful.
this article.
Sculpture Journal April 2007