I get to live with the sculpture for one day before installation as the seal and wax cures.
Early in the morning of installation day the sculpture has been loaded onto the trailer and ready for delivery to the National Museum of Military Vehicles (NMMV) in Dubois, Wyoming.
`Waiting for us on-site is Dan Starks, the creator and CEO of the museum.
Much time was spent setting the monument in place on the prepared pad as Dan wanted #399 to be facing westward toward the Grand Teton range where she and her cubs reside. Note the original clay maquette that is being used to carefully place the cubs in relation to the protective sow.
Stainless steel pins are welded to the steel armature inside the monument. The sculpture will be lowered and the location of the pins will be marked on the concrete; these precise points will first be drilled into the concrete with a smaller drill bit to serve as pilot holes for the larger concrete-cutting bit to do its work. The installation team made use of compressed air to remove the extracted concrete dust from each of the 24-attach points for the bear and the cubs.
The holes for each of the 24-stainless steel attached pins have been prepped and next the sculpture will be delicately lowered into the epoxy-filled holes. After the epoxy cures, #399 will be permanently secured in her new home.
Note: The sculpture is pinned into place six inches above the concrete pad. This ensures plenty of space for top soil to be placed under the sculpture and completely cover the pad. Natural landscaping of the raised berm site comes next.
Notice how different the patina appears at different times of the day. This creates ever-changing and dramatic impressions upon the viewer. My favorite time of day to experience outdoor sculpture is early morning or late afternoon . . . the shadows are more pronounced and form is strong and well-defined.
Installation complete! Can't wait to see the landscaping and will post again upon completion. Dan Starks,
the Grizzly 399 Foundation, and donors were dream clients to work with. . . Thank you!
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