|
(printer
friendly version of these directions)
Introduction
The objects you make will have to float in water. The
sites include lakes, ponds and oceans. There are obvious
laws of nature that your sculptures will have to pay
attention to, and some subtle ways to make this happen.
The environment can also be quite unforgiving. This
is especially true in the ocean environment. Below are
some hints and rules that you should consider to make
your sculptures trouble free.
Requirements of the artist:
The artist will need to deliver the sculpture to the
installation site on Mount Desert Island, Maine. An
agent for the artist may deliver it. It will need to
be delivered on Monday, July 19, 2004. The artist or
the agent will need to be able to get the piece to the
edge of the water. All sites are adjacent to a road
or launching ramp. All sculptures must be tested prior
to the installation. All sculptures must be able to
float, and constructed of materials that can withstand
the elements. All sculptures will have a ring or other
secure means to tie the mooring line to. All artists
must make arrangements to pick up the work by Sunday
August 3. You will not need a boat to launch your piece.
Requirements of Staff of Watermarks/Outside
The staff of Watermarks will assist you at the launch
site. We will have persons to help you move your piece
from your car or trailer to the water. Once the piece
is in the water, the Watermarks staff will move it to
the desired location in the lake or ocean. The staff
will provide the anchor and rope necessary to secure
it to the lake bottom. We will work with the artist
about locating the best site in a given location. While
we may be available to perform some maintenance on the
sculptures during the week, we prefer not to do so as
it is complex to launch boats, etc. It is best to test
your piece adequately before installation.
Testing:
Artists must water test their sculptures prior to installation.
Things that you will need to determine:
-- Where is the waterline? If the keel is to heavy,
part of your piece will be submerged.
--Is it balanced? Is the piece standing up straight?
If not, adjust keel or floatation.
--Your piece must be able to stand up after it is knocked
over. It is not just OK that your piece floats. You
must be able to push it over 90 degrees such that the
"mast" is in the water. If it does not right
itself, you must put a longer or heavier keel, or reduce
weight topside. It is absolutely mandatory that your
piece be able to right itself.
--The ring that the anchor line will be tied to must
be secure, and be at least 1" in diameter. The
ring must be attached near the bow.
Materials:
You may use a wide variety of materials. Sheet Styrofoam
in the blue shade is ideal for the floatation material.
It is available in 2’and 4’ width, and in
various thickness. The blue is denser and stronger than
the pink. Wood is, of course suitable for much , but
should not be used near the keel. Floating materials
used deep beneath your sculpture will cause your piece
to flip or be unstable. Keels can be made with materials
such as cement, lead, steel, sash weights etc. Secure
them strongly.
Do not use water soluble glues such as Elmers or hot
glue guns. Do not use tape of almost all varieties.
Metal tape seems to hold up OK. Avoid most papers and
cardboards. Some of the sites are within Acadia National
Park, and while alternative materials may look great
on your piece, they become ugly litter if they break
off your piece and wash up on shore. Pieces that self
destruct will become litter on the beach which will
likely not be appreciated by anyone. Use strong mechanical
connections such as screws, nails and wire. Chemical
connections should use epoxy or the like, and be sure
there is good bonding and surface area.
Sites:
We have 7 or so sites identified on and around Mount
Desert Island, Maine. They include
-- Echo Lake, along rte 102 in S W Harbor
-- Tidal Bridge, rte 198 in Somesville near the One
Stop
-- Upper Hadlock Pond along rte 198 in N E Harbor
-- Thompson Island on West side of rte 3 next to traffic
light
-- Hulls Cove on the beach along rte 3 in the village
-- Salisbury Cove at the Bio Lab
Some of these sites are subject to change. If you have
a preference, you are welcomed to make a request, otherwise
we will assign locations according to what we think
works best.
Illustrations: (see below)
Below find seven illustrations that might assist you
in making your sculptures float better. This does require
some trial and error, so in many cases, you will have
to go back and make adjustments. Its part of the process.
You are welcomed to contact me if you have any particular
questions.
Size:
What seems large in the studio looks remarkably small
on the water. Do not be afraid to size these up. Ten
feet in horizontal or vertical is not very large on
the ocean. Three feet will be OK in an intimate location.
Contact for technical questions:
Sam Shaw, shawjlry@prexar.com
or 207 244-7271 evenings.
(printer
friendly version of these directions)
|
