Large Scale Process
Large works take time. The relationships that result from working within a creative collective is tremendously rewarding. The process informs the direction of the project.
With the above AMANI project, we began with a simple idea of signage for the park which developed into 5 planters, allowing me to explore the new materials.
A welded framework was built for stability of the lath, but also due to the sheer weight of the soil load. Each planter was clad in multiple layes of lath and secured with small metal ties. The surfaces where fixed, cut to shape and coated in a system of layers of concrete. The final layer of the structures was a finish coat of smooth cement colorized with a pigment of iron oxide.
Once the cured planters were built, the mosaic workshop sessions began with COA participants. The medallians were created in colorful unglazed porcelain. The letterform signage was built in the studio. The mosaic surfaces were fixed to the planters using cementious mortar and grout.
The entire project was built in a warehouse and needed a flatbed truck to be delivered to site. Each piece was fork lifted onto a truck and driven to the park. Marak Landscaping laid a pad of gravel on location to create a long undulating row of planters. Each was filled with approximately 1- 2 cu yards of soil/compost and planted by the Forestry Department.
