10 x 10 in glass marks the passing seasons in leaves from Spring to Spring again.
A commission for Lakeville, MN “Antlers Park.” 20ft W’ in bronze with glass wall hanging.
A third work, a glass sculpture, to be installed at the Lakeville Art Center
Fabricated in bronze leaves, Star/Light, like a family tree, celebrates the generations who came to this park.
At Night. The leaves cast shadows.
In its prime it was an amusement park with dance hall.
Once filled with big bands playing ”The Bunny Hop,” and all the latest dances.
To a local hunting superstore with massive dioramas featuring deers.
The sheer size of the store inspires Mr. Milligan.
The “roadmap” of the sculpture is so large, he has to tape pages together to understand what it will take to make elegant 20ft antlers.
Is drawn life-size onto the studio wall so that the armature, or underlying structural frame, can be completely understood.
After the wax is made, the armature lines are drawn on it to show where the steel goes.
Out-sized glass leaves celebrate the family tree throughout the seasons.
The glass must also be plotted out . The finished sculpture features leaves that move in color from spring greens to the deep reds and oranges of fall.
The glass changes color, so that must be accounted for.
A way to try out a new technique that will catch the wild light available in the park.
In the light.
The Milligan Studio preparing for fabrication with stylish new leather safety jackets.
To begin the sculpture, massive steel bars must be bent into shape.
In the blue light.
The deer begins to take shape.
The term “Wild light” means “natural light,” as in light in the wild.
Each bronze leaf must be cut and shaped by hand. There are hundreds of them.
They are gently shaped with mallets and leather bags.
The leaves are then heated and given fine details to make them look like they are connected to actual branches.
Studio pups take notice of how much the bronze antlers look like tree limbs. They like trees.
This is what one-ton of glass looks like. Literally.
Hundred of strips of glass must be hand cut and set in place.
Each glass leaf takes a week to fabricate.
What colors are summer leaves? Green, yellow and dark green…
For a couple of days.
The cycle of the season in the large leaves is now complete.
The studio is awash in joyous color.
Spring is where it all begins.
Must be fabricated by hand to complete the sculptural wall. They are 12” x 19” and also made of hundreds of small strips of glass.
The armature is taking shape.
The “Skeleton” of the bronze deer must be strong enough to support the 20ft wide antlers.
Heated and welded into place to give elegant curves.
Are impressively strong.
Hundreds of leaves are being cut from beautiful bronze sheet,
A wonderful armature is being crafted with heavy stainless and finesse.
are bent
Will be shaped and follow the curves.
In three dimensions…
Are taking shape.
They certainly catch the light
The edges will be polished and then they can be hung.
The Stainless armature is nearly finished.
A magnificent beast, he is.
The work continues…
Is now properly a deer’s head.
It’s nearly time to add the bronze leaves.
Gets a new glass mural too!
will celebrate a place that buzzes with creative people.
The Center design requires purple with a mix of other vibrant shades.
One more firing and this should work.
One by one they are fabricated. The green shade protects visitor’s eyes (and Studio Pups) from the welding.
of leaves for the body and antlers
The antlers are nearly half complete.
Sculpting the metal to look like the limbs on a tree.
And is tested to see if the welds are strong.
Thick steel provides the “trunk”/base that the antlers will be welded to.
Being placed.
Everything fits exactly
By hand and then welded in place.
Three more to go.
Is to create two of these, each about 20ft.
Each antler is intricately detailed to look like a tree limb and its leaves.
The Fine Arts wall begins to take shape.
is unique, as each artist who comes to the Fine Art Center to work is unique.
The spark of creativity.
A man gave us this to inspire the final details of Star/Light. He’d had it in his truck for a year, as wife wouldn’t let him bring it in the house.
To make a template for the electrician .
The bronze antlers are taking shape
is a daunting task
At The Studio
are added to the armature.
shapes the body's line with the leaves
Gold is applied by hand
Makes it more difficult as the size dries quickly.
in the sunlight
Will protect the work.
Each leaf is about 2ft apart.
The metal findings are mirrored steel, just as the mirrored balls in the once-dance hall.
So the electrical can go in.
Awkward but doable,
The building is marked.
The deer is nearly finished.
The bronze head is heated and shaped to fit.
Nearly hit by cars crossing Selby Avenue. The Studio staff dropped everything and ran after the old gal.
The owner worked at a Marc Heu Patisserie Paris a local shop. After tea, we went back to work..happy.
Severe weather adds to the challenge. We will crane the work in place and finish it at the site.
Make the finish work difficult.
On a hot sunny (humid) day.
The leaves mark the passage of time.
On the back of the community building for generations to enjoy.
To the Park and Rec volunteers who waited around until we finished and disassembled the scaffolding. You guys are great!
Marking the wall for the lighting designer and crew.
Hanging 1:1 guidelines
For the electric to be installed.
Every spare space of the studio is filled with vibrant color.
Folding tables shut the Studio down with beauty until the lights are installed. Hopefully soon.
Another hot day.
"Hive" installed just in time for a City-wide celebration of summer.