Tree birds for the Botanical Garden.

Tree birds for the Botanical Garden, University of Oslo, Natural History Museum (NHM). The sculptures were modeled in styrofoam and epoxy, then cast in silicone before being transported to Spain for final casting in bronze.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1 Materials

• Styrofoam and epoxy: Used to create the original models of the birds. These materials are lightweight, malleable, and ideal for detailed sculptures.

• Silicone: Used to create molds of the birds. Silicone is flexible and precise, which is important for capturing all the details from the models.

• Bronze: The final material in which the bird sculptures were cast. Bronze was chosen for its durability and aesthetic quality.

2.2 Procedure

1. Modeling in Styrofoam and Epoxy:

   • Each bird was meticulously sculpted in styrofoam, based on carefully prepared sketches and references.

   • The sculptures were regularly compared to the sketches to ensure accuracy and detail.

2. Creating Silicone Molds:

   • Silicone was used to create molds from the epoxy models.

   • The silicone was applied in a 1 cm thickness, covering all the details of the model to preserve them in the molds. The support shell for the silicone was made of epoxy to make it as lightweight as possible, facilitating transport.

3. Casting in Bronze:

   • The silicone molds were transported to a professional bronze foundry in Spain.

   • Wax models were created from the silicone molds, and these wax models were refined to correct details and minor flaws. They were then coated with a ceramic shell (Molochite) and fired in a kiln. After firing, the metal was melted and poured into the ceramic molds. The bronze was further refined to weld, repair, and fix all small details.

4. Patina:

   • Once the sculpture was sandblasted and cleaned, a patina of brochantite (Cu4SO4(OH)6) was applied to the sculpture using a blowtorch.