[SLIDESHOW] Artists gather for molten art

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By Brittany Hedges

Protective gear was worn as sparks flew when members of UK’s Department of Art demonstrated the trade of iron pouring, a process where smashed iron and coal are put into a furnace reaching about 3200 degrees to be melted and created into artwork.

More than 40 students participated in the 17th Annual Iron Pour, along with local and out-of-state artists.

“Our goal is to make art,” said Robin Baker, a visiting artist from Lexington. “It’s very communal, you can’t pour iron by yourself. You need a lot of people with different jobs to do this.”

After the iron is completely melted it is poured into molds that have been previously created by artists and students.

More than 5,000 pounds of iron were used in Saturday’s pour, and the event does not end until all the molds are filled and all the iron is gone, Baker said. In addition to artist and student molds being poured, mini one-sided molds created by visitors were filled as well.

Many different pieces of sculpture art result from iron pours. Baker’s hope was to create a self-portrait form, creating three versions of the same mold design, then shattering two of them off a pedestal and placing the third so it looks as if it is about to fall off the pedestal as well.

“It’s going represent jumping, falling without knowing what’s going to happen, with resolve to get back up,” Baker said.

Megan Burkhart, an art studio sculpture senior, participated in the iron pour for the second year.

Burkhart’s vision was of a smaller sculpture, but one that would involve just as much additional work.

“It’s a relief in iron of a woman’s torso that goes to right above her lips,” Burkhart said. “I want to eventually add more pieces to it.”

Those participating in the pour were required to wear special protective equipment including steel-toed boots, leather chaps, jackets and gloves, and safety helmets and glasses.

“I do it because it’s fun,” Burkhart said. “Iron is something that makes a statement.”

The iron pour took place in the middle of a two-week celebration of UK’s metal arts program. This week’s will focus around visiting artist David Lobdell, who will present iron workshops and an arts profession lecture, which will be Friday at noon in room 118 of White Hall Classroom Building.