Epitaph

Found boulder, off-cut material, canvas, frame.

This artwork featured in Building Site (2014). A Meadow Arts commission. 

At first glance, this block of sandstone looks like any other from Hardwick’s quarry. However, Alastair Mackie has used new and exciting technologies to produce a conceptually beautiful sculpture. These contrast with traditional stonemasonry techniques and include a 3D scanner, CAD software and a 5 axis robotic milling machine.

On closer inspection, a meticulous linear toolpath, showing the movement of the milling machine, can be seen on the stone’s surface. A 2mm deep skin has been removed. Fractionally smaller, this stone is a digitalised image of its original self.

The off-cut material has been collected from the milling machine’s filtration system and screen-printed to create a wall-mounted linear panel of pigment.

Commissioned for National Trust’s Hardwick Hall to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Robert Smythson and the men who built Hardwick.

Read about Sophie Molins’ film, Donor Rock 1, documenting Mackie’s artistic process as he created Epitaph.

With thanks to Fenland RP Ltd.

Image: Alastair Mackie, Epitaph. Found boulder, off-cut material, canvas, frame. Meadow Arts commission 2014.

 

About the artist

Alastair Mackie

Alastair Mackie exhibited in Building Site (2014).

Alastair Mackie was commissioned for Building Site (2014) by Meadow Arts.

Image: Alastair Mackie, Epitaph. Found boulder, off-cut material, canvas, frame, installation view, Building Site, Hardwick Hall, 2014. A Meadow Arts commission (2014).