Behind the scenes of Dave Stevenson’s Acrobat bronze. Filmed @ Polich-Tallix Foundry (currently UAP) in Rock Tavern, NY + the artist’s studio in Gardiner, NY.
We began by scanning Stevenson’s original Acrobat sculpture (19”h) to create a 3D computer model. A CNC milling machine translated the data from the model to generate a foam prototype at the desired scale. (Acrobat is a symmetrical work made with two identical halves, so only one foam prototype—”half-crobat”—was created.) The foam half-crobat was in turn cut into two sections for molding. Once the molds were ready, each section was cast twice in bronze (lost-wax/shell casting) for a total of four pieces. The four sections were welded together and chased, polished & finished with a stunning patina of red oxide/gold/golden brown & charcoal black w/ silver veining. The final bronze Acrobat (bronze, #1/3) stands 9’3”h, including pedestal.