Casts From the Past XXXI

Casts From the Past is a recurring retrospective of select Palladio GFRG projects.

You’re asking, “Aren’t these capitals upside down?”

And you’re right!

Upside-down for shipping purposes, these imposing Corinthian capitals have already had quite the journey. Moulds were created of the originals in a state capitol building in West Virginia, then transported to the Palladio GFRG studio. There, casts were made and now they're heading back to WV for installation… right side up.

Need an herbal remedy for an awkward miter?

Try acanthus or honeysuckle!

The sole purpose of a moulding’s corner leaf is covering an awkward miter.  To prevent the leaf from overpowering the accompanying ornament, they are both carved on the same plane. The seam of the miter is hidden in the leaf’s midrib.

Ever wanted to play a flute?

This fluted entasis column plays with 22 at a time!

And that’s as tricky as it sounds. To start, a plain column with the requisite “bulge” is used to create a reverse mold. Diminishing fillets are added, molded, and a cast is made. That cast then gets curved terminations to the ends of its flutes. A final mold is then made.

Finally, brows are wiped and “phews” are proclaimed.

Who doesn’t like a three-for-one deal?

Sculpting this unfinished piece, composed of a palmette, acanthus, and a rosette, only required the single instrument in the foreground.

The silicon rubber we use for making moulds can capture incredibly small detail.

Even the most minute of air bubbles are recorded.

To reduce these flaws as close to absolute zero as possible, part of our prep for the silicon is putting the mixed, liquid rubber in a vacuum chamber. As well, we pour it slowly in a very thin stream, allowing even more “bubblage” to escape.

Yes, we are very exciting people.