Walla Walla Foundry Facilities Tour

I recently had the opportunity to tour the Walla Walla Foundry. I had been hoping to visit this place for some time, and I was excited when the opportunity arose. My visit did not disappoint. Mark Anderson, President, devoted a couple hours to the group of us from WSU, generously spending his time to help us understand what takes place at the foundry. From my limited experience working through the casting process, I can appreciate the great deal of time, skill, and problem solving that goes into creating these sculptures.

The facilities were impressive, as were the individuals on hand to keep the place running. It is a fascinating place from an operations standpoint, as well as from the viewpoint of an artist. Internationally recognized and well established artists work with and depend upon the expertise at the foundry in order to realize their projects.

I've come away from this experience with some ideas in mind of how I might apply new techniques to my own working process. The equipment and buildings in this industrial setting were inspiring to me in themselves. A visit to the foundry was a great glimpse into the art world and the working process behind creating sculptures. They make use of some advanced forms of technology, facilitating the process of creating complex and large scale forms. It gives me much to consider, especially as I think about the scale of my own work.

Warehouse in-progress

Right now in my work I'm seeking to expand my subject matter. It has been a couple years since I've explored some of these subjects in clay, so I felt it is time to revisit and push some of these ideas forward. This new series will involve rustic, abandoned buildings such as warehouses and barns. Some may be in various life stages, from more modern all the way to the scrap stage. Color choice is also an important consideration in addition to the form. These are structures which I envision, and I often look at reference images for inspiration. More of a matte, earth tone finish will be applied to this piece and likely all in this series.

Wooden Crates

There is an aesthetic of a wooden crate which is appealing. Although sometimes associated directly with the past, they are still utilized regularly for transporting and storing large, heavy, and/or heavy pieces.

For me, they serve this purpose in my sculptural work as well as an extension of the piece itself. They also seem to me as a means to overcome the pedestal. Although I have yet to work through all of these issues, there is the possibility of displaying pieces on top of these crates or in positions of being removed from such a container. Certain pieces may even be displayed within a crate, depending on the specific installation.

The crate pictured on the red hydraulic lift (at bottom) is one which I recently built. It sits 4 feet long, by about 2 feet wide and 2 feet tall. I've envisioned creating an environment in a gallery setting in which it is as if the viewer just walked into a shipping yard, warehouse, or other industrial seen. Although I very much approach my sculptures as objects, I'm interested in how they might interact together to create more of an installation. I've also gained a deeper respect and appreciation for the process not only of art making but also of transportation; I would like these aspects to be apparent in my work also. But again, most important, I'm drawn to this notion of environment or installation, moving beyond the object so as to give it a new identity.

Intermodal Shipping Containers

For quite some time I've been fascinated by intermodal containers. This fascination began through observing these units traveling on rails or by truck, a versatility that appeals to me. They are also so standardized, uniform in nature. I also for some time enjoyed collecting models of truck and trailers manufactured by a model train company. These containers can be stacked and configured in such a wide variety, creating an ever changing environment and landscape.

I'm also drawn to the strength and solidity of these units. Built of steel to withstand the tests of shipping and protecting its contents, everything about them is designed for heavy use. I find the door design appealing in terms of the large hinge assemblies and latch configurations.

These intermodal units also hearken back to the wooden crate. These containers act as storage and also as a way to transport objects in a more efficient and safe manner. The logistics of operating a seaport, with imports and export flows, is not only complex but is truly made possible by these interchangeable containers.

Railroad Noise Machine

One of my most recent inventions is a noise machine. As part of being enrolled in sculpture this fall, I became part of a noise collective. What I brought to the group is a machine inspired by industry, incorporating a lever, pulley, and other simple devices which create clanking, grinding etc when operated. Like any machine, this one requires repair and maintenance on a regular basis. Springs become detached, wires break; these connections require adjustments and such. The piece brings in actual, used railroad parts, along with other simple materials.

This Old Barn

I've always been fascinated by old wooden structures. Those who are familiar with my art readily think of my railroad trestle work. While a major theme and interest of mine, it is not the only thing I consider in the broader perspective. I enjoy structures in each stage of their life, from the pristine to the decaying. Although there is a sense of loss and regret in seeing an old structure like this fall to ruin, there is a strange beauty which emerges. It is as if that structure, built from natural materials, is even closer to nature.

I feel that very soon I'll embark on a series of barns. One of my recent, ongoing ceramic pieces considers the idea of creating a scene of an old, wood-built warehouse, a harbor scene. It is this sense of commonality which I seek after; the pieces I create are from a similar era. They are industrial and agricultural in nature. Each barn, bridge, or other structure, while fulfilling a similar purpose, is each unique. That is, within each category, the variety is staggering. Like human beings, no two barns are exactly alike. The same goes for railroad trestles and so on. Each carries with them a very specific, personal history. It is as if each has a life of its own, from birth (construction) to death (decay-demolition-return to nature). Each structure influences and transforms its environment, creating a unique viewing experience.

History of the Rails

I have lived by the railroad my whole life and decided to do a little investigating about its past. I uncovered some photos from past days. Locomotive 758, pictured on the trestle, has long been retired. Yet, up until a few years ago, that bridge was still in use. This wooden structure surpassed the 100-year mark. It has since been replaced by a steel and concrete trestle. It's quite interesting the long life-span of the old trestle; it saw all three of this freight trains representing the three last eras, plus older trains as well. In fact, the wood trestle was original to the railroad at completion at the end of the 19th century.

These are all images from the locality in which I was raised.

This reinforces my focus on industrial structures which reside in our landscape. Industrial forms contrasted with nature must be well built in order to withstand the elements. Eventually, the wood decayed to the point that it could no longer support the heavy loads. The steel is subject to rust and will unlikely have a useful life near that of wood.

In thinking about the utilitarian purpose of these structures, there is an inherent beauty and simplicity in the message. It goes deeper however to include such readings as a sorrow for man's interference in the natural landscape, as evidenced by mines and logging when conducted in an unsustainable manner. For me, these forms are dealing with all things that are truly about our existence and things with which we interact. That does not mean they need be dominant; rather, they simply exist and fulfill some kind of purpose. Beyond the utilitarian, they can help us to understand the world in which we reside and the temporal nature of things in contrast to seemingly indestructible materials.