sculptural preferences

["Marc Anderson" <khaskoo@zzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Norm's question about monumental sculpture initially didn't seem to relate
to my work since I am usually creating stone building facades. However, I do
prefer, and attempt to emulate monumental elements in some of my projects.
The suggestion or outright use of mass somehow gives a feeling of presence
and permanence.

I am able to utilize salvaged limestone, granite, marble from various
demolition jobs around the state of Indiana. With a stihl TS 400 gas powered
hand held saw and a 14" diamond blade attached, I'm able to butcher up just
about anything laying around the stockpiles and make something out of it.

I recently rendered the back of a childrens clothing store into a castle
facade. It was done with creative instinct as the main guide. Stage by
stage, the elevation grew and I could see possible elements emerging almost
on their own. On two battlement towers, I saw swords posted vertically in
the center of the towers and went to work sawing out the hilt, handle and
blades from plain flat stock.

To me, this is fun stuff, being able to be creative as possible and selling
the client on the originality of execution. Right now I'm building the
interior of a Mexican restaurant on an Aztec ruins theme. I've got huge 2-
ton blocks and various other rough battered pieces assembled in a random
arrangement, probably the most monumental thing I've done thus far as sheer
breadth of wall thickness,  average about 18"  and a temple entry corridor
a solid 34" deep out of limestone blocks with overhead lintel an
18"X18"X92",  (blocks set with a good bob-cat with forks). Later this week,
I begin on a sacrificial altar centerpiece,  large 4'X4'x4' cube that tapers
in toward the top. It's purpose is to solidify an impression, while it will
sacrifice table space and not virgins, it should be an exciting challenge.

I'm also carving some very basic reliefs of meso-american glyphs and figures
and laying them in the stone walls here and there, very fast and easy, beat
the edges up with a hammer a bit and viola! ancient ruins. I don't have any
pics at the moment, but let me know if you would like some at a near future
date.

Marc