The commission to enlarge the 17” tall vessel, Transitions, to a 42” vessel was both exhilarating and challenging.  The soft relief, coupled with the vast negative spaces between the foliage and branches, presented unique challenges to the modern day enlarging process. The original form was scanned and digitally enlarged resulting in a solid foam form with very subtle impressions of the detailed surface. The new and considerably larger 42” form was then re-worked in its entirety, in clay, using a largely traditional, manual “pointing up” process. This process reproduces the original detail onto the new enlarged form in proper proportions. This lengthy and tedious process required both tenacity and patience. Transitions II, nearly 2.5 times larger than the original 17” Transitions vessel, was then molded in rubber, protected with a strong fiberglass mother mold for support, and cast using the lost wax process.

Transitions II presents its own unique and beautiful aura of the open vessel form which is wide open to receive.  In its enlarged version, it plays beautifully on the symbolism of the piece, recognizing the significance and miraculous powers of both the large and small transitions in our lives. It is an immensely impressive, organic and calming vessel appropriate for both indoor and outdoor settings.

© Carol Alleman 2003