stewartpatterns.com
  • Home
  • Stewart Patterns blog
  • Big Ben
  • NYC work
  • Custom Bronze Hardware
  • WCTC test page

#26: Building big ben: the unveiling

16/7/2014

 
I'm skipping a massive amount of effort here, work done at Artcast. The video, in the first minutes, gives you a bit of an idea of the amazing skill required at the foundry.

By the end of May, 2005, the extensive landscaping and installation was done, placed in Stewart Park, Perth, Ontario. Click here for the street view.

There was a huge event planned around the unveiling. There was a day-long open house at Millar Brooke Farm that included the RCMP Musical Ride. My 88 year old Mom was there, thrilled with the show. Cousins, an elderly aunt, neighbours, in-laws, my brother, nieces and nephews were all in attendance. It was hard to know where to put a little attention.
Picture
and, of course, Ruth and Jean Abernethy were there. I sort of thought 'this is our day', given all the support that came with us.
Picture
Had to show some family. It's raining a bit, so nephew Luke is under my arm, Thomas nearby. These two are now way over 6 feet, but Big Ben and I remain the same, steadfast.
Picture
The big moment. Ruth, Jean and I are standing at the front of the crowd, holding our collective breath. This is our moment. Speeches will be required. Oh, wait, this event was about Big Ben. It's hard to remember that, given how close our faces were to that surface for so long.
Picture
Lynn and Ian Millar look on. There were long speeches by dignitaries from around the world. I'm hoping that the onlookers were remembering the many triumphs of Big Ben and Ian. I'm sure Lynn was remembering that, as well as the endless hours of love and support that she gave her family.
Picture
The Makers: from right to left, Marcus Knoespel, me, Jean Abernethy, Ruth Abernethy and Holly Atkinson from Artcast, one of the great pairs of hands at the foundry.
It was a funny moment, the actual unveiling. Ruth, Jean and I were poised, with some trepidation, on the front edge of the crowd, watching the cover come off. Lots of applause. Breath held, is this our moment?

Thus, the unending lack of understanding about what we were doing. That feeling might have been mostly mine, not being a horse person. I'll have to ask Ruth about unveiling her portrait of Ocar Peterson with the Queen in attendance. She might have had a similar experience:

The cover came off. Applause, long speeches from many dignitaries. No mention of the artists or the foundry. 

Perhaps, for my Mom's sake, I wish there had been a wee nod. Still, I suppose I never made a wrong move, in my Mom's eyes, so it didn't matter. This was Big Ben's day. Ian Millar and Millar Brooke's day.
Picture
Perth, Ontario, a beautiful small town with an enormous heart. I can't end this saga without expressing my admiration for this community.
There are a few Big Ben links that I have not mentioned before:
The Big Ben Memorial Trail, with kudos to all the amazing volunteers

Comments are closed.

    stewart smith

    I'm a woodcarver, turned sculptor, and morphed into a pattern-maker for cast metals. These days I hesitate to define my work, avoiding words like 'artist' or 'craftsman'. I just love designing and making things, keeping a bit of time free to downhill ski, paddle my kayak, and sing with my fellow choristers.

    Stewart Smith
    Stewart Patterns
    New Hamburg, On 
    email stewsnews@gmail.com

    Archives

    November 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

    Categories

    All
    Bronze Tile
    Cast Aluminum
    Cast Bronze
    Cast Iron Restoration
    Cast Metal Design
    Custom Bronze Door Pull
    Custom Cast Bronze
    Custom Cast Hardware
    Custom Medals
    Digital Sculpture
    Historic Restoration
    Hollywood
    Margaret Atwood
    Memorial Bronze
    Mestrovic
    New York Parks
    Pewter Casting
    Sculpture

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.