I am often asked how long a sand sculpture can last. Well to add to the value of posting this sculpture I'd like to take this oppertunity to talk about this subject.
Ephemerality
Nothing lasts for ever but with sand sculpture that's even less so. While I work on a sculpture people are surprised that I put so much effort into it knowing that it is only temporary. For me the joy I get from my work is the actual making and if the piece was to dissolve immediately after I finish I wouldn't be too upset. Of course I love to get a photo but for me this is for documentary proof and is not the sculpture. I have yet to be able to capture a sculpture in all it's 3D aspects even though I have tried many techniques from Video to photogrammetry (( the taking of many photos from different angles and using a computer to generate a 3d model from them (I'll make a post about this soon)) For me the sculpture has to be experienced live to get its really impression . That is not saying that I don't love to create images of my work. For me though the best sculptures can't be captured in an image. I do work in 3D after all.
This sculpture of Apes was made at the De spelerji, Dieren in the Netherlands. I posted another sculpture from there a few weeks ago Biggles - sand sculpture . Working along with Fergus Mulvany we finished this piece in the summer of 1999. It was only a two day sculpture and not something I was that proud of. The next year, when we returned to work on the Biggles sculpture our apes were still sitting there in the forest. Small bit's of human damage was done but nature had been kind to the piece. Apart from some mossy growth it was like we had just made it the day before. It was recycled into another sculpture that year after we left.
Sand Scuptures are made by first compacting the sand into large wooden boxes using mechanical Whackers, this compresses the sand and creates a man made soft sand stone. As the sand dries out it becomes very strong and depending on the sand and weather can last for years. Heavy rain can damage the surface but giving it a light spray of PVA glue and water can help stop this effect, This also helps stop the surface from being weathered by the wind. The core of the sculpture can get super strong like pottery and will take a good bit of damage before falling.
I have known sculptures to last several years outdoors with just mild damage but inside a sculpture could last for decades.
Ps
Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions I would love to hear them. Many more sculptures to come but for now you can check out some of my recent posts below.
Falling asleep - sand sculpture
Grativity - sand sculpture
Five facts about me
I hope you'll join me again soon.
@ammonite
[//]:# (!steemitworldmap 52.057724 lat 6.080863 long Apes sand sculpture 1999 d3scr)