Client: Lark Grey Dimond-Cates

Overview

Forest Park Sculpture by artist Lark Grey Dimond-Cates is an 8′ tall memorial to Dr. Seuss (Ted Geisel) & his father Theodore Geisel, the 31 year former superintendent, and Forest Park itself. The sculpture is cast and fabricated in bronze with hot chemical patina. Installed in the newly renovated Monkey House of Forest Park just before the 140 year anniversary of Springfield Forestry in Springfield, MA.

Goals

To honor the history of Forest Park and Theodor and Ted Geisel. Lark Grey Dimond-Cates is the stepdaughter of Dr. Seuss and an accomplished artist and sculptor.

Process

Lark Dimond-Cates meticulously sculpted the 8' scale bas-relief at her studio in Rancho Santa Fe, California. She welcomed technicians from ART Research Enterprises, who produced the rubber production mold onsite. This mold, divided into sections, made its journey to our Lancaster, PA location. There, utilizing the time-honored lost wax casting method, which is a meticulous and ancient technique that involves several steps to transform a sculpted form into a durable and detailed and transformed into a stunning bronze metal casting. Firstly, a detailed model, often made of clay, is created. In the case of our bas-relief, Lark's masterful sculpture served as the initial clay model. From this model a rubber mold is produced. A wax pattern is then produced from this mold. This wax pattern is then encased in a ceramic shell, creating a new mold. This shell is heated, allowing the wax to melt away or be "lost," hence the name.
The Memorial's reverse side narrates the Park's history, intricately CNC milled with 2" lettering onto bronze sheets. The entire sculpture, comprising the bronze cast bas-relief and the milled bronze sheets, underwent assembly and finishing at our facility. Finally, it was carefully transported and expertly installed onsite.