Virginia Southwestern - 16
37: The tunnel portal at Blackwood. The portal and
rock castings were made in latex molds from rocks
and lumps of coal I brought back from Appalachia. I
ended up making over 90 molds. Each casting was
numbered with the mold’s corresponding number. I
would try different castings in each area and when
one would fit, I marked the spot, then make a casting
from that numbered mold and set it in place in the
previously marked spot. This shot also show the mess
that the foam board can make. Be sure to have a
vacuum handy.
38: The tunnel openings at Hickory Creek were natural
openings made with fitted rock castings. I painted the
plaster castings with a diluted wash of basic earth
latex paint and sprayed with an india ink wash when
they were removed from the mold.
37
39: At Mills Gap over
13 rock castings are
being set. I soak the
castings in water until
saturated, then sprinkle
plaster on the back
of the casting. I add
some water and mix the
plaster on the back of
the casting. When the
plaster was mixed, I
place the casting in its
predetermined location
and wait for the plaster
to set up. Blue tape
covers the track during this phase of construction. The
foam and plaster can make a real mess of things.
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38
MRH-Sep 2013
