A brand new base.

Hi

At times it seems that I am undoing as much as I do.  I just did not like the base that I had made - so sorry to all the helpers who assisted in option one.  "That's an ugly cocktail glass!" I said to myself.  "It's gotta go."  I took the chop saw to the old base - and saved what I could for the new.  It was not pretty - the mess of plastic left after the chop saw had its way with the piece.

I was not able to save a very tediously constructed central piece. So days later and several trips to the hardware and plumbing stores in town looking for new bits and the perfect hole cutting saw - I'm back in my own basement shop starting from scratch!

This error in planning meant more than just additional purchases, it required more help from exceedingly clever friends. Today I started working from the ground up.  Today I made progress.

See the three images.The description of each is below:

STEPS 1 AND 2: Using a drill-press. and blocking the white piece carefully, we drilled two different sized holes in the centre. It worked like a charm! 

STEP 3 AND 4: Glue in these strange double ’V’s using transition glue. Then cut PVC pieces that fit a circle the diameter of the base and glue those in place.

STEP 5: Cut the PVC base-cover the diameter of the support structure and screw it into place ready to receive the first rounds of bottles.  These will be arranges to give the base a lovely curve.I am happy now!

There are still things to consider - like keeping critters out of the PVC pipe that supports the structure - and also keeping the snow out of the enormous bowl on the top of the sculpture.  I am still very excited about this piece. Time now - though - to dance.  Perhaps tonight I'll dance a perfect cocktail glass.

 

HIV Support Communities across the country Invited to Join the Party

Thanks to my friends at Vancouver Island PWA Society communities of people living with HIV across the country have been invited to participate in this traveling Cocktail Party.

Please send me an e-mail if you would like the invitation. I'll also try to upload it here, but need technical assitance.

This past week I've been experimenting with adhesives.  It's not easy to find the perfect glue  -  but I am sure that there is something out there that will secure the pill bottles to the sterine and fibreglass.

And the pill bottle collection is growing.  I have about 8 bags of bottles in the basement.  More pictures later.

Ta Da

Managed to form the goblet part of the cocktail glass with Peter's help.  here is the completed job. 

Working on the Formwork

Seems I'm getting the word out that I need pill bottles!  Here is my bike laden with both a saddle bag and a plastic bag of pill bottles

I am challenged creating this cocktail glass, and that is wonderful! Let me share with you the making of the framework. I used PVC pipe because it is light and relatively inexpensive.  I would love to share a few images but I can't seem to upload them. I need help!

The angles are bit unusual becasue I want to bowl to be a different shape from the base of the cocktail glass.And then the other problem area is getting the stem upright and not leaning like the Tower of Pizza!! I am really grateful to a few friends who have helped me so far.

There is also a bit of a testing process going on relating to adhesives.  It is not easy to firmly attach the pill bottles.  I need to use something more permanent than the old glue gun.  I think I've found something at Industrial Plastics. but it won't be inexpensive as I will need a lot of glue!!

These pictures make the story easier to understand

Today was a Good Day

Its been very interesting moving from the concept drawing to reality.  Here is what I sent the Gardens months ago. Since then I've determined - with the help of some wonderful friends - how to make the framework so that the goblet can be assembled in three pieces, disassembled, transported across the country, and reassembled in New Brunswick at the end of May. Today I finished the framework for the goblet and it looks beautiful.  Now I want to photograph it - just hoping that the weather holds and you'll see it here very soon.

We've been so lucky with the weather lately.  I've had a large dog friend visiting and Woody and I have been able to wander outside without getting wet.  Well actually Woody did get wet - but that was because he insisted on running into the ocean. BRRRR.

If anyone has ideas to share about the sculpture please make a post or send me an email: pegfrank@telus.net.  Cheers.

Preparing to Cocktail my Way Across the Country

Exciting News

I have been chosen as a finalist by the organizers of Canada’s largest outdoor sculpture competition! There are 16 finalists that have been selected to compete in the 2013 Canadian Sculpture Competition at Kingsbrae Garden in St. Andrew’s, New Brunswick. (Check out www.kingsbraegarden.com). My piece will reflect what it's been like to live on a drug cocktail for the last 17 years. I'm making a giant cocktail glass out of empty pill and supplement bottles. I am hoping that people across the country will prepare messages to put into the pill bottles.

HIV has been part of my life since 1987. Sadly I know that taking meds is no cocktail party. However I'd like to party with other poz people across the country. Through sharing conversations, I’d like to learn what life is like in HIV+ communities from sea to sea. My goal is to understand - to discuss the big issues affecting poz people in every province.

When I first started taking meds I was taking 49 prescribed pills a day and about the same number of supplements. My life circulated around my alarm clock, having food in my stomach or making sure it was empty. It's much easier now - I can travel and sleep through the night!

The sculpture is a work in progress. I want input, empty bottles, notes to insert into bottles, comments and rants from across the country. I am thinking about producing a booklet with anonymous stories about intimacy and HIV. Send me a post if you have a story or an idea to share.

The trip will be fun but is unfunded. My plans are to travel the month of May. I'm looking for billets - couches - for myself and my traveling partner. I'll post the schedule soon.

The PLHIV/PWA community in Victoria, BC and the Vancouver Island PWA Society have been amazing. Now I encourages people across the province and the country to gather together - get some dance music and get ready to party with me.

For more information on how you can help please contact me: Pegfrank@gmail.com