Molten iron poured at public event

One thousand pounds of molten iron will be poured on Sheldon Blvd., in downtown Grand Rapids, as the culmination of a five-day cast iron workshop held at Grand Valley State University in Allendale. The event, just prior to the 21st International Sculpture Conference, is co-sponsored by Grand Valley, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts and the International Sculpture Center.

On Wednesday, October 1, at 4 p.m., preparation will begin for the iron pour on the street in front of the UICA, 41 Sheldon Blvd. SE. A traditional cupola furnace will be stoked for approximately one hour to reach proper temperature. The iron casting performance and spectacle will occur from approximately 5-7:30 p.m. More than 40 pieces of sculpture will be cast as molten metal is poured into molds secured in sand pits.

Norwood Viviano, assistant professor of sculpture at Grand Valley, organized the event and workshop with fellow instructors Daniel Matheson and Carolyn Ottmers, both from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. About 40 pieces by a dozen students will be cast during this labor-intensive and community-based process. It follows nearly a week of preparations as students generated patterns and molds, and learned about the relationship between the rich history of the Industrial Revolution and the more recent Cast Iron art studio movement.

The cast iron intensive workshop is one of several events in conjunction with the International Sculpture Center Conference taking place on October 2-4. The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will be the conference headquarters and host to panels, a vendors’ square and the keynote address.

For more information, contact Norwood Viviano at (616) 331-3383.