City(e)scapes

City(e)scapes (Work in Progress, 2022 - present)
Materials: brass, aluminum, copper, cement
Dimensions: 12 in x 12 in (each)

City(e)scapes is a developing series of sculptural works that investigates the expressive potential of metal beyond conventional casting and welding. Drawing from the methodology explored in Urban Meltdown (2019), this research-led project reimagines metal as a medium for visual communication, particularly in relation to psychological states shaped by prolonged isolation and urban confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The process involves melting scrap copper, brass, and aluminum, which are poured onto greensand molds made from bentonite clay and fine sand in a 1:10 ratio. Using 1” x 2” wood guides, the sand is structured to receive the molten metal. Once solidified, each piece is embedded with a rebar and topped with cement, capturing the fluid impressions of the pour while forming a stable architectural base. Subsequent stages involve etching the metal after which various patination methods are applied.

As a work in progress, City(e)scapes aims to reflect the layered experiences of individuals navigating the tension between restriction and adaptation in metropolitan life. The combination of malleability, corrosion, and structural reinforcement within the work metaphorically echoes the fragility and resilience of human coping mechanisms in crisis. The series ultimately seeks to materialize urban memory and emotional geography through the semiotics of metal and its transformation.