Post-digital printmaking - HEAD HEART GUT GROIN - The making of an edition

When I learned that we would have the opportunity to do a bronze pour during the residency I got to work on a little series that I have wanted to make for some time. It’s called HEAD HEART GUT GROIN. The title is based on something that I remember hearing “manly man” sculptors say. It went something like this: Art happens in your head, your heart your gut or you groin. (Usually followed by) It doesn’t need any more explanation. I’ve always enjoyed ridiculing these kind of people, but lately I have come to appreciate the notion that art does register cerebrally, emotionally, viscerally and/or sexually—that each register offers a different way of knowing.

So I set made set out to make an edition of multiples that not only gave voice to the saying, but that playfully situated it in a sculptural domain. I made some digital line drawings of a brain, heart, intestines and genitals. Then I screen printed them onto balloons. Once that was made, DXF files were used to CNC cut balloon shapes out of luan. The shapes were then laser engraved to achieve recessed line drawings of the brain, heart, intestines and genitals. These were mounted onto thick ply, which was sculpted with putty to achieve that tacky, waxy look that you see on some cast bronze reliefs. This object was used as the positive for a green sand bronze cast.

All that effort just to make an edition of three bronze plinths for each 4-balloon multiple. I find it funny that the latex balloons will either be used or will deteriorate over time, leaving only the bronze packaging material.