Wow, just when one thinks things will calm down a bit, the opportunity to engage in more new and exciting projects comes along.

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to provide our services to Tom Sachs from NYC. We are enlarging, molding, casting and fabricating Tom’s 22 ft. high sculpture, “Wind Up Kitty”, for exhibition at the Lever House in NYC in May. This will be our “world record” production schedule, starting with the enlargement in early January.

Tom Sachs method of sculpture involves the creation of the original form in foam core board. We then create a negative rubber mold off of the foam core original and then cast in either ceramic shell or resin bonded sand casting processes, depending on the scale of the sculpture.

Along with the monumental “Wind Up Kitty”, we are producing 9 “Unite” lamps, 3 sets of the following; full scale “Quarterpipe Ramps”, a 10’ “My Melodie”, a 10’ “Miffy Fountain”, a 8’ “Kitty Fountain”, a ¼ scale “Dumpster”, 25 “Big Mac” containers fabricated in bronze, and the “Bird Tower”.

The works will go to the Lever House show in May; to Tom’s Aspen gallery in June, and to Paris in October. One set of the Miffy and Kitty Fountains will go to Art Basel in May.

We are also producing a 10’ “Jesus” for Neils Anderson and life-size sculptures of “Ira Hayes” and “Matthew B. Juan” for Oscar Urrea for the Gila River Indian Community. These three projects are all in the enlargement stage.

The new year also brought to conclusion nearly 3 years of planning, casting, fabrication and assembly of Tom Otterness’ “Playground” projects. The third in the edition is complete and ready for patina.

We also wish to honor and celebrate the work of Michael Maglich, one of our client’s who passed away late last year. We are currently producing a large body of works for Michael’s project for the Valley Metro Light Rail project.

The work will be placed between Burton Barr Library and the Phoenix Art Museum. Michael’s use of books/titles/imagery to playfully engage the public is indicative of the insight he brought to public art. The projects include, “Brancusi’s Notebook”, “Mystery Novel”, “Raising Your Child Cubist”, and “Lost Stack”. Michael’s humor, sense of irony, and wit will be missed … both in his person and in his work.

In December of 2007 we celebrated 30 years of excellence with a dinner and small slide presentation for 125 artisans, artists, vendors, professionals and guests at the new Tempe Center of the Arts lakeside room. Although it was difficult to find images to properly document all the years of employees, projects and history, it was a great opportunity to reflect on the past while we look ahead to the future.

I am also pleased to announce that Kathleen Thomas has joined Arizona Bronze. Kathleen will help to facilitate information both to the artist/clients on projects in process and in house with the management team and artisans. Kathleen brings a wealth of experience in the arts, notably as the founding executive director of Studio LoDo Center for Contemporary Art in downtown Phoenix. Kathleen’s extensive experience and sensitivity to art and artists will serve AZB well. Kathleen can be reached at Kathleen@azbronze.com.

Chequamegon Bollinger, my lovely Fashion Designer daughter, has also joined AZB as the NYC Representative in December, on a part time basis. “C” will be coordinating artist contacts, reviewing originals, and being the full-time face of Arizona Bronze in NYC, on off days from her work with Coach and 3as4. Contact Chequamegon (Sha-wa-ma-gun) at Chequamegon@azbronze.com.

 

Lastly, as we reflect on the past and look to the future, we have begun the first steps to add in-house digital enlarging technology to Arizona Bronze skill set. Watch for future announcements and start up discounts for this service as we bring it on-line in the near future.

Thanks for your continued support and interest in Arizona Bronze Fine Arts Atelier. Please look for our ads in Sculpture magazine and please contact us for all your sculpture production needs.

Be well,
Thomas Jefferson Bollinger
Sculptor
Managing Owner
Arizona Bronze Fine Arts Atelier