Hot Casting - Thinking Outside of the Sandbox with Susan Gott

“Thinking Outside of the Sandbox” This workshop will take you beyond basic sand-casting and explore combinations of molds and casting techniques with focus on the ‘rigid-sand’ molds. We will utilize these ‘binders’ as a tool to take sculptural ideas to the next level with hot glass casting.

This rigid-sand mold-making technique has advantages for the student or professional; versatility, speed, storage and scale. Detailed, technical information will be provided as students create molds and cast objects using specifically formulated sodium silicate/ Co2 binders.  Additionally, casting demonstrations will explore a variety of alternative mold materials to achieve creative surfaces: wood, graphite, wax, bubbles, balls, copper, color, inclusions, rubber molds, metal molds, the use of torches and the best techniques to finesse pouring the molten lava. We will utilize a potters’ wheel to experiment with centrifuge casting, glory holes and glass blowing to create ‘inclusions’ and sand-mold blown sculptures. Experimentation will be encouraged with an educated understanding of the limitations of the materials.

There will be discussions of the use of cast glass in large-scale sculpture and public art, annealing, finishing techniques, paints, patinas, gold leaf, adhesives, and an overview of the basics of grinding and polishing. Students will be encouraged to explore the interior and exterior beauty of hot cast glass and how to make the magic happen. Annealing times may vary and shipping arrangements for completed projects may have to be arranged.