This is a no doubt misguided attempt to inform you about
public commissions and using computer CAD
in one slide talk
ok...
Familiarize yourself with the site. You must visit, if only to display your sincerity to the client. Read the blueprints. It’s the way to get the dimensions of the space and a knowledge of how it’s constructed, where foot traffic is and what your sculpture will be secured to.
Come up with a really cool idea, theme or composition for your project. It must fit the space, how the space is used, what it’s used for and by whom.
I picked crime in the US - info from a wikipedia article. They got it from the FBI so it’s probably reliable
Reduce and/or shape the graph/sculpture to fit the space.
This does not change the information, only the shape
Use the CAD software to draw a 3D pipe in ‘wireframe’. Select a size, which can be done by dragging the image, or using numeric inputs
What, you want smooth?
smooth the chart line byapplying Bezier curve smoothing
do an ‘extrude along path,’ where the chart line is the path. the circle makes a pipe
Put the sculpture in the space and wow the client
You should probably remove those planters. Also, add shadows to make it look real
Present the sculpture in multiple views. NEVER overestimate the ability of the client to visualize the
project. Make it really clear.
Drawings are good...
People are dazzled by CAD animations...
all they are, are many CAD renderings of the thing in the space, from any points of view, and then played back at 24 fps
They like your sculpture and accepted it! Congratulations!
Now the work starts...
Unless you have a world-class studio with tools for all materials at any scale, you need to make detailed drawings of the sculpture itself, and all the individual pieces.
In this case you need to specify
• materials
• the size of the pipe(s) in diameter and length
• how and where it bends
• how it will be finished: color, surface texture, weather protection, etc
• how will the pieces will fasten together; welds, bolts, a combination?
• engineering: can it hold itself up, even in 100mph winds? snow? kids climbing on it?
• you will probably have to provide engineering studies to prove that no one will be hurt• these will have to be checked and approved by the client’s engineers• if rejected, make design changes and re-engineer
• how it will sit in the space: on a base? anchored in the ground? hung from a ceiling?
• is your commission in a union town, like SF, Chicago or NY?
• if yes, then you will need to hire a union crew to install the sculpture• which union: carpenters, masons, steel workers, electrical, plumbers, some of each?• my advice: make the job available and let them work out who gets it• being in a middle of a union squabble can be uncomfortable
• if no, you will need to hire an installation crew anyway• insurance requires installation on public or corporate property by licensed contractors. you don’t have a contractor’s license
• all these things are YOUR responsibility; it says so in the contract• so, you must be on-site when everything happens
• packing• shipping• receiving at the site• unpacking• installation
• these obligations will require you to travel, pay for lodging, rent a car, feed yourself, etc• all this comes out of your budget
there are a thousand other considerations...
Is this enough money? Can I pay for engineering, materials, fabrication, storage, shipping, travel, room and board, installation, insurance and many other items with this amount?
If so, can I make any profit?
I don’t mean to discourage. But... many artists have gone into similar projects full of optimism and energy, and come out broke.
Large scale commissions is a BUSINESS. You must treat it like one and be businesslike. It is not romantic: idealism has it’s place when you initially design the piece. Thereafter your life is that of the small business person: contracts, insurance, plans, time-tables, communications, bookkeeping.
BTW...Computers have become essential to all of this. If you don’t like
computers, stay away from being a small business person.
With sufficient energy and persistence, you can end up with your art being seen—and hopefully enjoyed—by many people for a long time