A new film by Eric Minh Swenson.
THE MANDALA PROJECT DESERT: Collateral Damage
A Collective Mediation on Humanity – In response to the staggering numbers worldwide of the lost and unidentified human beings, risking everything for a better life. This particular installation is created in response to the current political atmosphere in today’s world of spiritual intolerance and cultural divisiveness. According to the USA Today Network story “Border Deaths – Uncounted Numbers,” there are hundreds of John and Jane Does – countless men, women and children – who are lying in unmarked graves, and likely hundreds more whose bodies are never recovered, as they attempt to cross the border into the USA. This tragic situation brought about by today’s lack of social responsibility, unity and humanity is brought to light in this solemn presentation addressing the plight of those thousands of immigrants crossing borders around the world, whose bodies and bones are discovered partially turned to dust along the border. The installation, composed of white plaster cast body parts aligned in a large circle is reminiscent of the sun-bleached remains of represent those faceless and unidentified who perished in their struggle to find arefuge for themselves and their families. Serving as a metaphor for these men, women and children that die,forgotten and left behind, the installation commemorates these courageous individuals risking everything, and losing their lives, now forgotten and lost forever, unknown, unclaimed and disintegrating in the desert. “I want to give them an identity, a name, a respect for their struggle and their quest for a better life and honor them for their lives that we will never know.”
About the Artist:
Mixed-media artist Lilli Muller is best known for her unique signature performances, installations and images created through figurative body-casting in plaster/fiberglass. Using the human casts as armature, the installations capture the core presences defined by the absence of their origins, and stimulate conversation about topics affecting the entire global community. Her other studio work includes but is not limited to drawing, painting, sculpture in a variety of other mediums, photographic collaboration, video and conceptual installation design. Multi-layering of stories and narrative is essential in her works, and the key to discovery about its’ true meaning. Her casting sessions are mostly done in public settings, exploring her own involvement as a public act of intimacy, acceptance, communion, ritual, and sensuality.
EMS Legacy Films is a continuing series of short films produced by EMS on artists and exhibitions.
His art films can be seen at https://vimeo.com/channels/76542
Instagram : @ericminhswenson Website : emsartscene.com
Eric Minh Swenson also covers the international art scene and his writings and photo essays can be seen at Huffington Post Arts : https://m.huffpost.com/us/author/eric-minh-swenson/
How to make a simple backyard foundry for less than $20, for melting pop cans, and casting aluminum.
[✓] Clay Graphite Crucible: https://amzn.to/2bZ2ESu
[✓] Steel Pail: https://amzn.to/2bSuGAC
[✓] Plaster of Paris: https://amzn.to/2bZ0cf0
[✓] 2.5 Quart Bucket: https://amzn.to/2c0l3gk
[✓] 5 Quart Big Mouth Bucket: https://amzn.to/2bSvyoz
[✓] Heat Resistant Gloves: https://amzn.to/2bSv02d
[✓] 1-3/8” Hole Saw: https://amzn.to/2bSvo0z
[✓] 3” Hole Saw: https://amzn.to/2cib3kQ
[✓] 1” x 12” Steel Pipe: https://amzn.to/2cu3uGU
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Endcard Links:
Pop Can Metal Melting: https://goo.gl/pTP1uG
Secret Safe: https://goo.gl/r0K9jB
Acrylic Fire Piston: https://goo.gl/BSl8QT
Bottle Rockets: https://bit.ly/HomebrewBottleRockets
See What Else I’m Up To:
Instagram: https://goo.gl/C0Q1YU
Facebook: https://bit.ly/FBTheKingOfRandom
Pinterest: https://bit.ly/pingrant
Business Inquiries: For sponsorship requests or business opportunities please contact me directly: https://www.youtube.com/thekingofrandom/about
WARNING:
Charcoal foundries can reach temperatures in excess of 1,000ºC, which is well above the melting point of hobbyists. This project should only be attempted with adequate knowledge and training, proper protective safety gear, and in a fire resistant area with adequate ventilation. The sparks flying from the foundry can ignite fires, and the fumes from burning dross can be toxic. Use caution and common sense. Use of this video content is at your own risk.
Music By: Scott & Brendo (“Feel It” – Instrumental) https://bit.ly/ScottBrendoiTunes
Project Inspired By:
This foundry is an original design, which comes after months of experimenting, and over 10 different prototypes. The functionality is founded on ideas I collected while searching the internet for different furnace designs.
Project History & More Info:
For this project I experimented with 10 different prototypes, to develop a reusable backyard foundry that melts aluminum soda cans easily and safely. I tested different refractory recipes, different containers, different setting for blowing air, and different types of makeshift crucibles.
I tried various ratios of portland cement, sand, perlite, plaster of paris, water, and even kitty litter. For containers, I experimented with clay pots, plastic buckets, no container, cinderblocks, and a galvanized steel pail.
I ended up favoring the galvanized steel pail, and a mix of 50% plaster of paris, and 50% play sand, by volume, which was inspired by a video by NightHawkInLight “How to Make a Soup Can Forge” https://bit.ly/IBSoupCanForge
Depending on where you get, or find, your materials the cost can range anywhere from $5-$25 per unit. With the materials I used, I was able to make 2 units for under $40 ($20 each). Even on the high end, this is probably one of the cheapest, reliable, backyard foundries that can be made.
I used mine to melt soda cans, and extract the aluminum for future metal casting projects. All the soda cans came from a local recycling depot. I bought back 30 lbs from the depot to avoid having to drink gallons and gallons of soda. I stored the ingots in various forms, which you can see in the video”Melting Cans With The Mini Metal Foundry” https://goo.gl/pTP1uG
The technique for making the sword in that video, and the gun in this video is called “Lost Foam Casting” and will be demonstrated in a future project video.