Deformed Torus

[Hermes2020]

Another experiment with contour slices, which are a current interest of mine. It started off as a regular torus that was deformed and sliced into 4 mm thick contours. Rapid set cement, height 600 mm. It is quite heavy, because the base is also cement.

 

[snoball]

I like the lines on this one. It is very artistic and even with the edges of the slices, it is still very fluid. Well done!

 

[Bizzibee]

Great - a bit like a fingerprint on a heart.

 

[laf.art]

I want to run my hands around the curves. Nice description Bizzi

 

[Artyczar]

I really like this one, especially the layered cut-outs that overlaps upon each other. It reminds me of something I tried to do with paper once. It's inspired me to maybe post it. Thanks. This is a beautiful one!

 

[Hermes2020]

Thanks, guys. This cement product is great, because it sets rock hard and weather-proof in about an hour, so one can work fast to build up complex shapes that are self-supporting. That is not the case with traditional Portland cement, where one has to wait about 2 days for it to harden fully.

 

[ntl]

Beautifully done, beautiful, appealing piece.

 

[joe1It]

is wonderful

 

[OliveOyl]

Yes, this is so tactile and curvy! And very nice. I love the coloration in the base as well and wonder how you did it. In fact, maybe someday, you can show us a WIP or go into more detail of your process. Because most of us are painters, I'd imagine that we (or me, at least), would find it fascinating.

 

[Hermes2020]

Yes, this is so tactile and curvy! And very nice. I love the coloration in the base as well and wonder how you did it. In fact, maybe someday, you can show us a WIP or go into more detail of your process. Because most of us are painters, I'd imagine that we (or me, at least), would find it fascinating.

I appreciate your kind comments. I can give a step-by-step description of my process some time when I am less busy, probably in a week or so. For now, I can tell you the base texture and colours were the result of pouring the cement in layers into the mould. I prefer to pour each batch in before the previous one has hardened completely. The formulation I used is very exothermic when it sets — the base heated up to over 60°C when it hardened.

I am about to test a different rapid setting cement formulation that I've never used before. It is used to repair airport runways, and other concrete repair jobs, so is very tough and weatherproof. I bought a 25 kg bag last week, and will report back, since you asked for details.

 

[musket]

What's the base? Looks like a jasper.

 

[Hermes2020]

What's the base? Looks like a jasper.

The base was cast from the same type of rapid setting cement as the torus. I made a cardboard cylinder with the top capped off with a cardboard disc, then lined the sides and top with shiny acetate sheet. Before pouring in the cement mixture, I suspended a plastic container inside that was smaller in diameter than the cylinder, so that a 15 mm gap was left between the walls of the cylinder and the container. This was so that I could end up with a hollow base with 15 mm walls.
I then poured in the cement in layers to get the slight imperfections and striations. Unlike the torus sculpture, that was waxed lightly with beeswax, I applied acrylic varnish to the base to give a glossier finish. Slightly different colours develop in the cement, depending on how the surface is treated. The process to make the actual torus sculpture was much more involved. I can go through those steps another time.

 

[musket]

Cool. And a very cool piece overall.

 

[Hermes2020]

Thank you musket. I am working on an idea for a life-size concrete poolside reclining nude, using the idea of slices. The slices will be 50 mm apart, not fused together as in this deformed torus. I have a few technical issues to sort out first, though.

 

[Hermes2020]

Lulu with the Deformed Torus.

 

[laika]

A study in grays. Lulu is beautiful!

 

[Hermes2020]

A study in grays. Lulu is beautiful!

Thank you. We are very close.

 

[CaliAnn]

Very interesting and cool. I had to look up what "torus" meant

 

[Hermes2020]

Very interesting and cool. I had to look up what "torus" meant

 

[Artyczar]

So very cool! Elegant and sophisticated. Very nice work!