|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
DisassemblyAfter the removal of the four drinking fountain figures at the perimeter
of the pool, the granite rim of the pool was removed for protection in
advance of the disassembly of the central fountain structure, porphyry
granite base, and demolition of the concrete pool. During all demolition
work, the bronzes were in the care of the conservator. The conservator
oversaw the disassembly of the bronze elements, working with a rigger
and a structural engineer. Project conservator Thomas Podnar of McKay
Lodge Conservation Laboratory, Inc. made disconnections assisted by
John Cline of Casting Arts and Technology, Cincinnati. Strapping arrangements,
special cradles and bracing, and the supports for the sculptures when
on the ground were all designed and constructed as necessary as the work
progressed. The bronze portion of the fountain was removed in three sections:
the genius figure; the shaft (upon which she stands) with its four figural
groups; and the bronze pedestal with its four bowls, bas-reliefs, and
small corner figures. This disassembly took some time as the fountain
is an integration of fragile bronze sculpture, substantial plumbing, electrical
wiring, and internal reinforcements of steel and poured concrete. This
was especially true for the bronze pedestal - the box-like structure with
the sculptural bas-reliefs and a large bronze bowl on each of its sides.
When the fountain was moved to its present location in 1970, it was recognized
that the pedestal bronze was cracking and the pedestal then received internal
additions of steel and poured concrete to take some of the weight of the
upper sculptures. The steel had been fixed to the original internal bronze
structure of the pedestal and it is feared that the concrete was poured
against the bronze. Over time this complex of concrete and steel greatly
deteriorated from extreme corrosion of the steel and internal weakening
of the concrete from freezing in the wet environment within the pedestal
during the winter. Safely extracting the fragile and heavy bronze pedestal
from this complex of deteriorated steel and concrete was one of the most
challenging parts of the disassembly. Where did the Bronze Sculptures Go?Part of the work of the disassembly phase was the movement and mounting of the bronzes into a specially erected workshop on Fountain Square where the bronzes were restored over the winter of 1999-2000. Progress on the work was visible to the public through transparent panels in the building's wall and by special appointment for group visits. This building, an attractive structure from a major greenhouse builder, was erected in the southwest corner of the square and stood from September 1999 until April 2000 when the restoration was completed. The roof of this building was translucent and sections were removable for the lowering of the bronzes into the building by crane. All work on the bronzes took place on-site within this building and as much of the work as practically possible was be made visible and explained to the public as it progressed. Unlike the bronze "restoration" of the past, there are no secrets in modern bronze conservation. Restoration of the bronze |