I LOVE these, Although....I have to agree with Douglas....it hurts to see the books and music instruments getting sodden....on the other hand....I can hope they filled the books with newsprint, and the music instruments are reproductions....LOL The concrete wine table is definitely my favorite!
You will be happy to know that the musical instruments used in the fountain were saved from the dumpster of, and deemed un-repairable by our local instrument repair shop. My father is an avid string musician and would never let me destroy an instrument that had the potential to carry a tune! Thanks for the kind comments and concern.
Also, the books used for the bicycle fountain were salvaged outdated collage text books from
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the 1950's. Badly damaged, missing large sections and chapters, and headed for the recycling company.
I believe in using salvaged materials for our designs and constantly look for ways to reduce waste in our construction practices.
Again, thank you for all of the kind remarks and concern.
Well I definately thought the Bicycle/book was one of the most ceative ideas I've seen in a while, but how did you prevent them from getting soggy and falling apart in the fountain? LOL realistically....you could have also used old phone books and made cardboard covers and spray painted them...Of course again...I don't know what it took to keep them from falling apart..... so maybe that wouldn't work at all for your purposes....but if you have need for "fake" books in the future...there's an idea.
The books were coated with a heavy lacquer and bolted together in groups of 2 or 3. This compressed the pages and covers which helped make them water resistant. The fountain ran 24 hours a day for 2 weeks during the exhibition and the books absorbed very little water. The entire water feature is currently in storage, dried out, and waiting to be used again.
Do you think a silicone spray would have worked for water resistence? Cause I was thinking if it was sprayed first and then again after being bolted together you might be able to keep any water from getting in at all....or maybe first the heavy lacquer and then a silicone layer...Hmmmmm now you've done it I'm going to have to experiment...LOL
@Vickie, LOL we've already HAD this discussion....The books were old college textbooks thrown out because of torn and missing pages....the Music intruments were broken and damaged beyond repair....if I'd found the music instruments, I'd have turned them into lamps...LOL
With all due respect. How is this a bad example? I don't believe taking an item destined for the landfill and using it for art that brings enjoyment to many people is a bad example. Would it be a bad example to build a fountain out of pallets or aluminum soda cans taken from a dumpster? Thanks for your comments and opinion.
I don't know if silicone would work that well. I applied the lacquer before the books were bolted closed and after as well. Let me know how your project goes!
I appreciate the fact that you did use recycled items and kept them from our landfills. This is such intriguing and creative use of "found" items and would love to see them in person.
Oh I know! On my way to work on trash day I see "wonderful treasures" by the side of the road and wish I had the time to scrounge them and do something with them. By the time I can afford to retire I will probably have lost my desire. lol.
Also, the books used for the bicycle fountain were salvaged outdated collage text books from ...»
I believe in using salvaged materials for our designs and constantly look for ways to reduce waste in our construction practices.
Again, thank you for all of the kind remarks and concern.
Thanks for the questions!
With all due respect. How is this a bad example? I don't believe taking an item destined for the landfill and using it for art that brings enjoyment to many people is a bad example. Would it be a bad example to build a fountain out of pallets or aluminum soda cans taken from a dumpster? Thanks for your comments and opinion.
Thanks for your comments. The stainless steel looking fountain is actually made from a special concrete. It was hand crafted by Philip Ferreira.
I don't know if silicone would work that well. I applied the lacquer before the books were bolted closed and after as well. Let me know how your project goes!
Thanks for the kind comments! It's sad how many items are discarded into our landfills on a daily basis.