Artist’s note:
This piece was a
present for my wife and represents the complexity,
interrelation, and 'layeredness' of love and a marriage.
The inverted
pyramid on the underside of the plate represents the
layers and layers that
build to make a marriage, while the random
pieces on top surrounding the heart
represent the unknown in our lives.
The stainless steel heart outline shines
through the rust of the rest of the piece.
Through time the
piece will rust more and more, highlighting the difference
between the heart and the background.
Making this
piece, and finally installing it, was a very satisfying process.
It is a very
personal piece.
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Each
of the 256 threaded rod lengths was calculated incorporating the height above
the plate, the 20mm plate thickness, and the length below the plate.
The
heart outline on the top of the plate was made by TIG welding 5/8” stainless
steel rod onto the 16mm threaded rod. The stainless steel tips are a constant
height while the other rods on the top of the plate vary in height within
defined constraints. |
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Before
committing to actual rod lengths I tested the lengths above the plate, to
provide a pseudo-random height around the Heart outline.
The
lower length of the rods was easier to calculate as they formed a four-sided
inverted pyramid. |
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I
made a movable frame with rotating top to allow easy access to both the top
and bottom of the 20mm plate. The rods were inserted and screwed into the plate
to appropriate height using special tools built for the task. |
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Checking
and rechecking the rod lengths was laborious and boring! But any errors would
have been very difficult to repair. ‘Measure twice, cut once.’ More like,
‘measure five times, cut once’ with this project. |
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Final
adjustments… and itching to start welding… |
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Once
the rod lengths were rechecked and the rods cut, I tack welded them in place
on the bottom of the plate, starting with the two outermost rows and columns,
then moving to the innermost and working outwards.
The
inner rods were the tallest (when the plate was inverted) and welding around
them would be a problem unless they were done first.
The
Christmas hat refers to the time of year when I made this piece. |
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The
completed plate with 256 threaded rods welded in place, viewed from the top.
The heart outline and grid references are painted in blue, with centre lines
painted in red. |
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The
next step was to fabricate the base and uprights for the piece. Heavy steel
angle irons: 75x75x8mm. Should last a while. |
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Lowering
the completed top plate onto the base for welding.
The
final piece weighed about 200 kg (440 lb.). |
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Setting
the ‘root gap’ for the weld. That TAFE training stays with you. The inner
edges of the angle iron were bevelled to allow full penetration root runs
with spray transfer capping runs. Result: a solid connection between plate
and uprights. |
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The
piece is functionally complete.
The
next step is to have the piece grit blasted to remove paint, mill scale, and
the galvanised coating from the 16mm threaded rod. |
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Installation.
What are good friends for? |
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Done!
Installed, with only weathering now needed to rust-up the piece. |
Contributors:
G.O.
Shelving – donated 16mm threaded rod off cuts.
Technical
Urethanes – grit blasting provider.
Computer
Cut – supplier of 816x836x20 mm plate.
P.B.T. Engineering – machining – drilling and tapping 256 16mm holes.