Liverpool Daily Post - Liverpool Map

Jeffrey gets creative

2010-07-28T10:18:33Z

Jeff constructs another piece of bespoke furniture for the Liverpool Map; he welds a steel frame together to construct a heavy duty table that will hold each column in place whilst it is being polished.

Sealing up the crates ready for their journey

2010-07-16T12:36:43Z

Column number six is being packed into its final crate today.

This is the second piece ready. Progress feels good.

A radio interview and photographs

2010-07-14T09:34:04Z

Today Jeff and I are being interviewed by BBC Radio Newcastle to discuss the project. It is being aired tonight. We are both still working hard in the studio when it is being aired and miss it!

We have also scheduled a photoshoot today with David Williams the photographer, to take some staged photographs of the work in progress.

These images will find their way to this blog later. However, its main purpose is to have some good quality images fit for publication.

We are hoping to pull together a publication next year to accompany this work to explain the content and process.

Packing up the first column ready for shipping to Liverpool

2010-07-09T12:24:50Z

Today we are packing the very first completed column. John, another member of our little team, has made us six bespoke crates.

Each timber crate is constructed of a sturdy timber frame and lined with heavy-duty plywood.

The inside is lined with a polystyrene outer casing and a foam inner casing. The glass is manually lifted into place by Jeff and Tim.

It is satisfying to write the details on the closed crate; this is the column ready for its journey to its final destination.

It will now be kept in storage in the University until the Liverpool Museum is ready to install it.

How the Liverpool Map has involved the public

2010-07-06T14:00:39Z

IF YOU'RE wondering how we've involved the public in the making of the Liverpool Map then here is a link to some of National Museums Liverpool's blogs on the subject

Polishing the columns

2010-07-05T17:22:01Z

The polishing of the edges of the six columns is well underway now. Crispin has joined our Liverpool Map team and is tasked with polishing the three edges of each piece and grind the bottom level.

The latter does not require polishing as it will be hidden in the base but still needs to be finished. As there is a height difference between Jeff and Crisping, another foot is welded onto the table to make it easier for Crispin to work at the table.

Getting publicity for the map

2010-06-24T12:11:37Z

JEFF meets up with the University press officer and photographer to do an interview and get images taken of the 'work in progress' and to celebrate the successful final firing.

This interview leads to an article in the Liverpool Daily Post and the Sunderland Echo the in the following weeks.

The final piece has been fired!

2010-06-18T13:36:37Z

THE final piece has now been fired. This means all six pieces have been fired successfully. Over the next two months, the four sides of each piece will be ground and polished.

The due delivery date is end of August.

Installation is for Autumn this year and the launch is now expected for Spring or summer 2011 with an accompanying publication.

We have a come a long way. There is still a long way to go but the end is in sight now.

Scuppered plans - but visit still goes well

2010-06-11T16:03:03Z

OUR carefully orchestrated plan is scuppered when the visitors are directed to the back door rather than the upstairs front door. Still, they are impressed with the progress. It is fulfilling to get to this stage at last. This project has now been in progress for two years.

Plans are made with the LM team to get the stand designed, made and constructed by their contractors.

The final column is shown, ready and waiting to be fired in the kiln. We waited deliberately with this firing to allow the client to see the 'before' and 'after'.

The kiln is switched on later that day.

Preparing the Liverpool Map for visitors

2010-06-10T10:30:19Z

TOMORROW the Liverpool Museum people are coming to see the work in progress and discuss further details such as the construction of the plinth. We are introduced to Jim who will be actually making the plinth as part of the overall Liverpool Museum installation team. Our Liverpool Map is just a small cog in a much larger project.

Jeff constructs a jig for the polished sample so the client can see how the final might look when installed in its final upright position.

It is exciting and reassuring to finally be able to see the five finished columns together in the order they are meant to be viewed. We site them in the Project Space, which can be viewed from the walkway from the National Glass Centre visitor centre. We are planning to walk the team down tomorrow to introduce them to work from a bird's eye view.

Testing the polishing process with Crispin's help

2010-06-09T13:26:52Z

THE scale of the pieces has required custom made equipment and furniture to be made along the way.

This is to make the processes and applications used as ergonomical as possible to execute; a special cutting table was made, a bespoke printing trolley constructed, a tailormade storage system put together and now a heavy duty wooden jig is made to hold the glass on its side on the polishing table.

The half scale sample made to test the firing cycle is used to test out the polishing. Crispin, who is assisting us on this particular aspect of the Map, is very tall and that helps to bear down weight on the grinder when polishing.

Firing the fifth column

2010-06-07T10:24:14Z

THE fifth column is fired. This leaves one final column to be fired.

Firing of the second column

2010-06-03T11:05:35Z

THE second column has gone in and is firing.

Temporary crating has been made by Jeff to house the first fired piece and keep it out of harm's way. We are not taking any risks.

Loading the fifth column

2010-05-27T13:04:35Z

THE fourth firing is successful. Jeff and Matilda are loading the fifth column.

The firing process continues

2010-05-17T11:11:04Z

THE third firing is successful. Another crate is being made to store this column.

The fourth column is being loaded and switched on.