Cast iron artist to conduct 2,000-pound pour at OSU
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
April 11 and 12 events open to the public.
By Abby Taylor
Crane’s iron-pouring workshop will take place the day after he delivers a lecture
about life as a studio artist. The lecture is at 3 p.m. on April 11 at the Bartlett
Center for the Visual Arts.
“Cast iron has its own subtle foothold in contemporary art,” said Adam Labe, assistant
art professor at OSU who is coordinating Crane’s visit.
Labe, a studio artist who teaches sculpture and 3-dimensional foundations, appreciates
Crane’s venture into the past. “Cast iron is nothing like bronze, which has a big
culture and history,” Labe said. “It is a newer medium in the art world and because
of its association with industry and the industrial revolution it has an inherent,
powerful connection to humanity when used for art.”
Crane uses an Old World approach that involves a handmade cupola furnace, which heats
up raw and recycled materials to create works of art. On April 12, workshop participants
may observe sand mold and iron preparation, furnace operation and molten iron pouring.
Under supervision, they also will be able create their own molds.
“Matt is dynamic in his ability to communicate and show people the nuts and bolts
of his work,” Labe said.
Crane earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the Kansas City Art Institute.
He owns and operates SilverCrane Studios, a custom metals fabrication business that
creates custom architectural metalwork and sculpture. He also is an art consultant
and chief preparator for the Kohler Company Collection of Art.
Both the lecture and workshop are free and open to the public. Attendees may purchase
molds at the pour. To learn more, phone (405) 744-5858 or visit http://art.okstate.edu .
The lecture and workshop are funded by the OSU Arts and Sciences Arts and Humanities
Lecture Series and the OSU Art Department.
Schedule of Events:
Lecture
Friday, April 11 at 3 p.m. in Room 109 of the Bartlett Center for the Visual Arts
Workshop
Saturday, April 12 at the OSU Visual Arts Annex
Furnace preparation will begin at 9 a.m. and depending on environmental factors,
the iron pouring will start at 1 p.m.