Hi everybody,
I´ve just joined your group after having first encountered papercrete
in the www - just by accicent.
As a mosaic artist wanting to include sculptural work I´m concerned
with the weight of the final product. Conventional concrete is a
superb substrate, but alas, sometimes too heavy for certain projects.
I´ve also tried my hand at papier maché, another most versatile
technique, and I was wondering about a way to make the result more
durable and resistant to the elements.
I´m particularly interested in the free forming technique and the
forming over a negative mold.
Right now I´m planning on a commission - a planter that´ll be the new
home for a huge tropical indoor plant ("elephant foot tree" - sorry,
I´m ignorant about the proper English or botanical term)with an
outside diameter of 100 centimeters/80 cm high. I cast it in concrete
and it´s very, very heavy. No way to decorate it with glass mosaic
and thus getting even heavier! It´ll grace the patio of a friend
instead...
So again I´m on the lookout for some hard, durable and yet
lightweight substrate to function as the substrate for my mosaic
planter.
I´ve ruled out resin for both costs and toxicity, and papercrete
sounds exciting to me on both issues - cost effective and environment
friendly.
1.Is papercrete absorbent after curing (a most important issue for
mosaicists!).
2. Can papercrete resist the elements in a climate with hot summers
and cold winters (freeze/thaw cycle)? If not, are there any proper
sealants you can recommend me for use? (Not an issue in my current
project).
3. Can I form papercrete over a negative mold (well prepared with a
release agent of course)?
4. I need recipes/mixes for my project in planning. Anyone there who
can help me?
5. Can you recommend the use of latex/acrylic admixes as a fortifier
or are these a no-no in papercrete?
6. Approximate time of curing (depending on thickness and wetness of
course)?
7. Surface treatment - like "wet carving", staining,...?
Thank you for your patience reading my too long message!
I´d be most grateful to anyone sharing his/her invaluable knowledge!
Thanks,
Anna
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