THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH |
LIME PARK |
||
EXHIBITS FRIENDS HERITAGE HOME LIME PARK OPEN DAYS PARKING TECHNOLOGY |
|||
MAY 2024 PRIMED - Not yet ready for gold leaf, but well on the way to a second coat of composite resin and filler, to rid us of the smaller irregularities in the sculpture. We are even contemplating chrome or gold plating, where gold leaf may not give the lustrous shine of the original 20th scale study. The problem being a bath big enough to take a 3 meter statue.
The "Queen of the Nile" water feature is not directly connected with Herstmonceux Museum, but was designed and created in the workshops of the old electricity generating buildings dating from C. 1900.
As a working museum, that is open to the public, the old generating buildings house several interesting exhibits. The 'Queen of the Nile' is a figurehead designed to be mounted on the Elizabeth Swann, green hydrogen and solar powered trimaran. She is also a statue on this fountain in Sussex, England, and a water feature fed from a natural spring, held to be a supply of water that is health giving.
1:20 STUDY - This is the original sculpture that we are basing our Queen of the Nile concept on. The figurehead based on Cleopatra was hand carved in metal and composites, where the very first attempt was made of paper and wheat flour dough reinforced with PVA adhesive, but was all but eaten by a hungry mouse over a very cold winter period, including the acrylic paint and PVA that we would have thought indigestible. This sculpture is about 300mm high.
Cleopatra as Isis reborn is symbolic of life and regeneration. The garden statue and mermaid figurehead fits well with the Ancient Egyptian culture that has inspired artists for generations. Quite a bit of the design of such an artwork is in the foundations that have to support the sculpture and stand up to very strong winds in this location in Sussex. Where winds have been measured at over 60mph every year for the last five years, set to increase with the advent of global warming, that is changing our climate and weather patterns. And is set to worsen as politicians grapple with the economic tussle of growth, versus sustainability. Inevitably leading to fiscal instability during transitional stages and realization.
MAY 2024 SCULPTING - The polyurethane foam is stabilized with two coats of gold paint, prior to being coated in a clay like filler that is easy to sculpt and shape, but not strong enough without a composite skin to stand up to harsh weather over many years.
INSPIRATION - This superb statuette was the inspiration for a water fountain feature. Water has long been held my man as giving the power of life. This translates to our oceans giving life to planet earth.
The Fountain of Youth is
held to be a spring that
restores the youth of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters. Tales of such a fountain have been recounted across the world for thousands of years, appearing in writings by Herodotus (5th century
BCE), the
Alexander romance (3rd century CE), and the stories of Prester John (early
Crusades, 11th/12th centuries CE). Stories of similar waters were also evidently prominent among the indigenous peoples of the
Caribbean during the Age of Exploration (early 16th century), who spoke of the restorative powers of the water in the mythical land of
Bimini.
BEFORE & AFTER - It is interesting to many people to see how something is made. On these pages we show you how we constructed the base for our Fountain of Youth. We will also be showing you how the statue itself is constructed. In the picture above you can see the concrete base and stainless steel frame that is to be further reinforced with a stainless steel tank and a brick surround that will be filled with concrete. Landscape gardeners 'Swan Hedges' carried out the construction works, except for the stainless frame that was made by a local welder/fabricator.
MAKING A MESS - All large statues start with the ground works. Basically, work out how much weight you have to support and dig a big enough hole to sink a concrete base that is capable of taking the loads of the statue and fountain, allowing for high winds and the occasional knock. We found out a lot about the site when digging. For example, we had no idea about this drain pipe - evidence of an earlier and judging by the brickwork on the right - substantial former use.
SHUTTERING - Having rammed hardcore into the earth, we then poured in around more than a cubic meter of concrete in two stages. The first stage is shown here. The second stage was after the stainless steel frame was set on top of the first stage.
STAINLESS STEEL - The mounting for a statue of approximately 3 meters (10 feet) in height requires a solid frame. Especially so where the frame will house a water tank containing a pump. This also means providing water and electricity supplies. In truly sustainable fashion, the electricity is provided by the Sun via solar panels and the water comes from a well on site. This frame was set close on one meter deep in concrete.
SIMULATION - We used bricks from around the site that had been stored for a long time especially for the day when this fountain would see the light of day. Bricks were stacked around the steel frame dry, to get a feel for the subject.
BRICKLAYING - Once the concrete had set the bricklayer got to work. As the walls got higher strong sharp sand mix was used to bond the brickwork to the stainless steel frame. Eventually, the inside will be filled with concrete completely, save for a corrosion resistant steel drum that will contain a water pump and flow control apparatus.
INTERNAL DETAILS - Here you can see the bonding of the steel to the brick walls and the internal shuttering that allowed us to place quarter rounds that were cut from some of the original semi-circular engineering bricks used to cap the original walls.
ORNAMENTAL BRICKWORK - This picture shows the brick pillar completed, with the recycled bricks for the wall leading from the pillar stacked to one side ready to be rebuilt. We used the original 100 year old+ bricks that were on site. This wall was in poor condition and much in need of repair. Please note that the photographs of the fountain and statue build are Copyright © Cleaner Ocean Foundation Ltd., all rights reserved. You will need the permission of COF to reproduce these pictures except for educational use or research.
GARDEN WALL - The original garden wall was well and truly sunken into the earth but (it seems) built without any discernable foundations. We wanted the wall to tie into the brick pillar for added strength and by way of a latch to counteract the weight of the forward lean of the statue. Please note that the photographs of the fountain and statue build are Copyright © 18 July 2017 Cleaner Ocean Foundation Ltd., all rights reserved. You will need the permission of COF to reproduce these pictures except for educational use or research.
SHUTTERING - Having cleared out most of the bricks to a decent depth, the remaining solid courses were jet washed to provide a key - and then concrete was poured. The incline was divided into logical stages for as near an equal rise as practical, given that the slope is not regular. Please note that the photographs of the fountain and statue build are Copyright © 18 July 2017 Cleaner Ocean Foundation Ltd., all rights reserved. You will need the permission of COF to reproduce these pictures except for educational use or research.
PLASTIC WATERFALL - With the summer heat wave over and rain predicted by the Met Office, the concrete steps were covered in clear plastic sheeting, somewhat resembling a waterfall. We hated using plastic that is potentially single use, but we have used these same sections several times over now - so don't feel so guilty - they are no longer single use and we have a lot more use in store from them before we dispose of the sheets responsibly. Please note that the photographs of the fountain of youth and statue build are Copyright © 18 July 2017 Cleaner Ocean Foundation Ltd., all rights reserved. You will need the permission of COF to reproduce these pictures except for educational use or research.
BRICKLAYING - Using a line to keep the wall straight and a spirit level to keep it lever, our skilled bricklayer sorted the cleaned up bricks from the site into bricks good enough for the base layer, running courses and finally headers, and these were the best saved to last. The steps you see here are the first stage of our Stairway To Heaven. Our stairway to heaven is a ladder the takes you high above Solar House for a stunning view of the countryside. Please note that the photographs of the fountain of youth and statue build are Copyright © 5 August 2017 Cleaner Ocean Foundation Ltd., all rights reserved. You will need the permission of COF to reproduce these pictures except for educational use or research.
RAILINGS - With the seven walls complete (representing the seven seas) the next stage is to cut the timbers and lock them into place. We are using 8" x 8" inch treated posts with a vee cut in the top, mounted on top of a 9" x 2" base board, with 4" x 4" timbers fitted into the vee to form a handrail.
The water that feeds this fountain is from an ancient well on site that is said to be mineral laden. The well has supplied water to those in the Park and to surrounding properties near the village, but, the well only supplies Solar House today. Please note that the photographs of the fountain of youth and statue build are Copyright © 5 August 2017 Cleaner Ocean Foundation Ltd., all rights reserved. You will need the permission of COF to reproduce these pictures except for educational use or research.
BIMINI
PONCE DE LEON
In the 16th century the story of the Fountain of Youth became attached to the biography of the conquistador Juan Ponce de León. As attested by his royal charter, Ponce de León was charged with discovering the land of Beniny. Although the indigenous peoples were probably describing the land of the Maya in Yucatán, the name
- and legends about Boinca's fountain of youth - became associated with the
Bahamas instead. However, Ponce de León did not mention the fountain in any of his writings throughout the course of his expedition.
ROYAL CHARTER - A drawing showing Juan Ponce de León and his soldiers searching for the fountain of youth.
ST. AUGUSTINE - A postcard and a photograph of the entrance to the Archaeological Park built as a tribute to the geographical location of the landing of the Ponce de León.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK ST AUGUSTINE
The first archaeological digs at the Fountain of Youth in 1934 were performed by the Smithsonian Institution. These digs produced a large number of Christianized Timucua burials. These burials eventually pointed to the Park as the location of the first Christian Mission in the United States. Called the Mission of Nombre de Dios, this mission was begun by Franciscan friars in 1587. Succeeding decades have seen the unearthing of items which positively identify the Park as the location of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés' 1565 settlement of St. Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in North America. The park currently exhibits native and colonial artifacts to celebrate St. Augustine's Timucua and Spanish heritage.
MARK TWAIN
MANUSCRIPT - This is the book in Pirates of the Caribbean 4 that tells the pirates a little of the Fountain of Youth with references to Aqua de Vida.
PIRATES MAP - This is the map in Pirates of the Caribbean 4 that shows Jack Sparrow the whereabouts of the Fountain of Youth known by the name Aqua de Vida.
MORE
HISTORY
The legend was most often associated with 16th-century Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León, who purportedly tried to find it in 1513, during his voyage to the New World. Ponce de León would have searched for the Fountain of Youth in an expedition to
Florida and a mysterious island. While it was said that Ponce de León died while searching for the Fountain, rumors and legends persisted that the Spanish explorer had discovered it. Sometime after 1523, the route taken by Ponce de León in the Santiago's journey to the Fountain was depicted on the navigational charts that led to otherworldly realms: the Mao Kun Map.
ARTWORK - Storyboard version of a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean 4.
FINAL SCENE - This is how the above art was translated in Pirate of the Caribbean 4 - the Fountain of Youth.
TWO TIER - Not overly complicated, but this twin bowl cascade works rather well with the circular pond below feeding the water back to the pump.
RESEARCH - Hunting for the perfect water feature might take you to Paris or Rome, two of the places to visit if you are looking for amazing fountains. This picture above is of a fountain in Paris and one of the most exotic sculptures in this amazing city where architectural water features abound. Is it the fountain of youth? No. But it makes you feel good just looking at it. Our research incorporates quite a bit of travel to acquire reference pictures for what will be a smaller statue, but unique, drawing inspiration from some of the greatest artists that ever lived.
BREATH TAKING - The Trevi fountain in Rome, Italy. One wonders at the cost and time taken to produce such a wondrous work or art - an outstanding assemblage.
MYTHOLOGY - We are not sure what this picture depicts but it certainly captures the spirit of the subject matter, except where the lady statue appears to be holding a plastic water (or other drinks) bottle.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN
"Some say the Fountain be not more than legend false a mermaid's kiss. Others whisper of a curse that leave ya as dead as old Ponce here. What be the truth of it? I'll show
ya."
SCULPTURE - In 1921, Loy Myrna posed for Venice High School sculpture teacher Harry Fielding Winebrenner for the central figure “Inspiration” in his allegorical sculpture group Fountain of Education. Completed in 1922, the sculpture group was situated in front of the campus outdoor pool in May 1923, where it would stand for decades. Loy’s slender figure with her uplifted face and one arm extending skyward presented a “vision of purity, grace, youthful vigor, and aspiration” that was singled out in a Los Angeles Times story that included a photo of the “Inspiration” figure along with the model’s name—the first time her name appeared in a newspaper.
Myrna Williams was a shy 16-year-old dance student when her art teacher asked her to pose for one of three clay statues being created for the school's front lawn. The original statue "Inspiration" was unveiled in 1922 where it became the symbol of Venice High School and the Venice community.
Sculptor Harry
Weinbrenner, Art Department
Chairman, used Myrna Williams as his model. With the start of her motion picture career, this shy student later became known as Myrna Loy.
At some point during the quest for the Shadow Gold, Jack Sparrow and the crew of the Black Pearl learned about the Fountain of Youth from a distant descendant of Ponce de León's, Diego. After this, Jack had been intrigued by the idea of finding the Fountain. At some point during their pursuit to lift the Aztec curse, Hector Barbossa's cursed crew discovered a young mysterious castaway who claimed to be Ponce de León. Barbossa believed his tale and, thinking the Fountain of Youth might hold the key to lifting the curse that his crew was under, set forth for the Fountain, only to discover the young man's tale to be false.
In 1750, several years after the War Against Piracy, a dangerous quest for the Fountain of Youth was
endeavored. Upon the discovery of the logbook of the Santiago, held by an ancient sailor, King Ferdinand of
Spain sent the Spaniard to find the Fountain. After learning of this discovery,
King George II sent Hector
Barbossa, now a privateer of the court, to find the Fountain before the Spanish. Rumored of having been to the Fountain itself, Jack Sparrow was forced aboard the
Queen Anne's Revenge to help Blackbeard find the Fountain.
PAINTING - Austrian artist Eduard Veith painted this scene of the mythical Fountain of Youth.
AIR, LAND & WATER - This sculpture portrays a mythical animal that is part human, part bird and part fish - a flying mermaid if you will, and certainly an interesting piece of art.
ANGEL - ART - ELECTRICS - FIGUREHEADS - MERMAIDS - PUMPS - SCALLOP - SCULPTURE - YOUTH
There are several interesting exhibits on permanent display at Herstmonceux Museum, including:
1. Art Gallery - Collection of paintings, pictures, graphics, sculptures, wooden carvings & exotic glassware 2. Archives - Historic documents library, patents, trademarks, copyright, films, catalogued legal papers & letters 3. An Edwardian ice well, throwback to the days before refrigeration 4. A large underground (condensation/cooling) and water storage chamber for ice making 5. The world's smallest water basin, test tank for model boats & ships to 1:20 scale 6. World's smallest wind tunnel, vehicle drag measuring instrument using electronic strain-gauges 7. Three PV boat models, Navigator, SWATH & 2 cats + route map prior to Swiss PlanetSolar 8. Seavax, the ocean cleanup proof of concept prototype from 2016 - Hall of Plastic, ocean waste, marine litter Vs fish 2050 9. AmphiMax, radio controlled (working) beach launching & recovery vehicle for SeaVax 10. Anthony the most dangerous giant Australian bulldog ant, 300 times normal size - Making Ant's Cart 11. EV - FCEV refueling station model in 1:20 scale 12. The only working (fully functional) water well in Herstmonceux village 13. The fountain of youth, Cleopatra inspired statue supplied from natural well water drawn on site 14. Second World War, 'Anderson Inspired,' bomb proof shelter constructed by Major Charles de Roemer 15. City sports FCEV-BEV, hydrogen gull wing proof of concept DC50 electric car 16. Land speed record car: Bluebird-Electric BE1 (original 1st) with battery cartridge exchange 17. Land speed record car: Bluebird-Electric BE2 (original 2nd) with cartridge exchange 18. A complete mummified squirrel, found when re-roofing the Museum June 2017 19. A fully operational, and restored VW Kombi van dating from 1978 (historic vehicle) 20. BMW i3, battery electric vehicle hybrid, with onboard generator range extender 21. Solar panel, and battery energy storage systems facing north-south and east-west 22. A hornet's nest found on site & preserved in 2016 (reported as [Asian] invasive species, to be safe) 23. Three sewing machines, including an antique Singer and a Brother industrial. 24. Adventure climbing frames for children (back to nature) Swiss Family Robinson 25. 'Elizabeth Swann' proof of concept model 1:20 scale hydrogen powered trimaran 26. Holm oaks, planting and growing trees from acorns on site, re-wilding in Sussex 27. Robotics, mechatronics, electronics and animatronics display - the steel frame, head/jaws, & drives of Anthony (coming soon) 28. Dalek - Full size, drivable working model of the famous Doctor Who BBC TV series, and Peter Cushing film 29. Films - Library of VHS tapes, DVDs and BluRay classics, national treasures, greatest hit, noir, oldies - from 1920
|
|||
|
|||
EXHIBITS FRIENDS HERITAGE HOME LIME PARK OPEN DAYS PARKING TECHNOLOGY UNESCO
Copyright © 2024 Lime Park Heritage Trust. A not for profit organisation with charitable objects.
|