Cambridge Scholars Publishing Materials and Processes of Contemporary Sculpture

Product Description Creating a successful sculpture requires an imaginative concept and a sound design that utilize the potential and avoid the limitations of the material and the process used in making it. Prior to a few decades ago, most sculptors were restricted to carving stone and wood or casting plaster, ceramics and bronze for their creations. Contemporary sculptors, however, are no longer bound by the limitations of these traditional materials and processes, and can now create works in sizes, forms and textures that could not have been achieved previously. Many modern sculptures are now made from materials ranging from steel and aluminum to plastics and composites using processes ranging from welding and adhesive bonding to molding and 3D printing. To fully utilize the full potential of such new materials, the sculptor needs to understand their points of strength, their limitations, and the most effective way of shaping them to achieve a given design. Although this book is written by a materials engineer, the subject matter is presented from the point of view of the sculptor with emphasis on the strengths and weaknesses of different materials, their resistance to weather conditions, natural color and possible surface textures, possible methods of shaping and joining, tools and equipment needed, and safety measures to take. Whenever possible, case studies are used to illustrate the sequence of processes and the cost elements involved in shaping a given material to create an actual work of sculpture. About the Author Dr Mahmoud M. Farag received his BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Cairo University, Egypt, and his MMet and PhD from Sheffield University, United Kingdom. He currently serves as Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the American University in Cairo (AUC). His academic interests include engineering materials and manufacturing. He has published four engineering textbooks, edited one book, and written several engineering book chapters. He has also authored and co-authored more than 100 papers in academic journals on issues related to the effect of processing on the behavior of engineering materials. In addition to his academic work, he has extensive industrial and consulting experience, and is a recipient of the Egyptian State Award for the Promotion of Science and the First Order of Merit in Arts and Sciences.