From the artist’s Studio- Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon
As you see in the video on YouTube, much has happened with this sculpture since first being introduced to it and the project when it was a dream in 2012. The sculpture has gone through a couple of design revisions. When first approached by Sophya Tabarovski in 2012 I searched the internet for images of my subject. Many images are documenting Neil Armstrong’s accomplishments and life through his space travels, for which I am thankful.
In the original design I liked the flight suit because you could see more action in his walk. I loved the thumb up and his smile. The more I researched the more I felt myself being transported to the action so many years ago. I found the image below on news report that talked about all the problems that Neil Armstrong had before even landing. The article by John Blackstone – Apollo 11 crew recalls Armstrong’s nerve-wracking moon landing helped to bring to light the enormity of this task which they embarked . Further research lead me to the horrible thought that the president even had a speech ready should they not make it. How brave these astronauts were as they went into the unknown.
The original design did solidify a couple of things. First the famous saying One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Mankind would be in the base of the sculpture. Even if there is some controversy about the words as reported in this article One Small Step for Man’: Was Neil Armstrong Misquoted? on Space.com by Natalie Wolchover. I’m glad they were said and are a part of our history.
The other given element was that I wanted the pedestal to resemble the moon with footprints from the moon behind him. I love the idea of putting my footprint next to the moon footprint as kind of a “foot selfie,” and I see others doing it as they visit Ethnomir in Russia or the Space Center Houston. I am sure that many will be hesitant to step on the base. I love it when people interact with my art. I prefer things at ground level rather than on a pedestal. My sculpture of the Mad Hatter Tea party “Move One Place On in Evelyn’s Park in Bellaire has children climbing all over it. However, it is up to the discretion of those who receive the sculpture as to how they encourage onlookers. I can also see people wanting to stand next to Armstrong and getting a selfie, Which will warrant standing on the base. Please note: I don’t say this is a sculpture of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, because … well, he is not wearing his helmet, see below, and that just does not make sense. I just wanted these design elements in the base.
Though I liked the initial pose, doing a bronze sculpture of an astronaut with a helmet as shown in the photo means that the face will not show as well. So we had to figure that out. In the first design, he is in a flight suit, which is different than a space suit. In the first design there is no helmet. The second design things changed. With that change, the client asked that he be in his space suit. I’m going to dedicate some future posts to the conversation of the space suit and won’t go into that a lot here. The Space Center Houston has put me in contact with the Smithsonian who will guide me in this endeavor. There is a lot to discuss about the space suit, for over the last few years finding the “true” reference was a challenge. Luckily the Smithsonian has the real suit and has scanned it. I have the names of the contacts there, and they will help me with all my details. I hope when I talk to them, I can do more of a podcast interview. I used to create a fine art and technology podcast and I would love to revive it with this interview on the scanning and protection of the original space suit. I can’t want to get into the sculpting life size, but first the team needs to raise a bit of money and I’m finishing up a large 13 foot sculpture. I hope to start sculpting on the large Neil Armstrong in May/June 2019. You can follow here or on my instagram, or twitter as I document a lot of my work.
You may also notice that I created the first design digitally. I work both traditionally and digitally and incorporate a lot of technology in my process, which you will see in future “From the artist’s studio” posts. I speak to adults and children about STEM and STEAM, the interdisciplinary educational initiative of Science Technology Engineering Art and Math. I wrote a book called 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling and am working on an update. If you are interested in learning more, here is a key note from Young Women in Math in Science, and another video from a Keynote intro from the Texas Art Educators conference. The first design was created in my computer using the reference and a digital sculpting program called Zbrush.
The new design began when the client wanted Neil in a space suit, and she felt it was important to have a small version of the sculpture to show others. We could have done it digitally, and 3D printed it out, but instead, I went to traditional clay. I sway back and forth, and with each process whether traditional or digital they have their advantages and disadvantages. The first disadvantage was I had to sculpt everything and most importantly his face all over again. It is also hard to put in such detail on a space suit when he is so small at just ten inches. I prefer creating a larger piece as what we call an “artist maquette.” So the new design will incorporate the same base, footprint and saying, but will instead have him walking in that confident intent that I have seen in so many of his images. He will be carrying his helmet, and I will be doing my best to sculpt the many details of that original space suit. With the help of the Smithsonian.
Be sure to follow along.
EDUCATION
If you are not old enough to remember the walk on the moon, take time to ask older friends and family what they remember.
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