By Larry Isgur – Artist:
“My desire to create useful, aesthetic and lasting objects found a much fuller expression when I began molding concrete into countertops, lighting fixtures, planters, outdoor furniture and other objets d’art. Concrete, although demanding, is an incredibly versatile medium that can take any shape as well as a wide array of colors and finishes. I enjoy mold making because of the challenges involved in creating negative space and I get to use my otherwise neglected math and geometry skills. I’m currently exploring opportunities to use recycled material in concrete and other molded media.”
Larry Isgur was born in Pasadena, TX in 1963 and grew up in Southwest Houston. Even as a young boy, he was always curious about how things worked. As a result, his toys were in a constant state of disassembly.
An Interview with Steph
First off, you have an incredibly varied business background, including creating a cat biosphere that controls pet odors (please correct us if we are wrong) which was called the Catio – a priceless name if there ever was one. Could you tell us a little bit about how you arrived at creating functional concrete installations for a living?
I always had the entrepreneurial spirit. And never could stand working in a structured environment. I love to create things with my hands; things that are useful. When I found molded concrete, I knew I had found something that would not only play to my strengths, but that would continually challenge me and keep things interesting. The durability of concrete is a big attraction, but also a call to create only simple, timeless designs. My creations will last hundreds, if not thousands, of years – even exposed to the elements. So the real test of their durability is whether they can withstand society’s changing tastes.
We’re not entirely informed as to the history of using concrete in a more artistic fashions than roadways and buildings, but why do you think it has emerged as a medium that people love to have in their homes?
There’s something about concrete. Sure, it’s man-made stone. But it’s still stone. It’s beautiful and durable and can be made pleasant to the touch. It can take virtually any shape. It can be colored, ground, inlaid, backlit, and plumbed. What’s not to love?
What are the challenges/benefits of working with concrete?
Benefits – See above. Challenges – Concrete is heavy. So its a challenge to move and install. But also, it’s heavy in the mold. Vertical molds have to be built to resist a lot of weight.
Also, staining is a challenge. There are different sealers that can protect the concrete, but you lose some of the tactile aesthetic. Then there are waxes, which feel great, but are not impervious. Then occasionally, we find the rare client who is willing to let the concrete patina naturally. Which boils down to a matter of tolerance and patience. And, I should mention that there are some new sealers just out that promise the best of both worlds. It’s exciting, and we’re always experimenting with new sealers.
Since most of your work is installation and therefore living peacefully in a place that is not your studio, what should people expect to see when they visit you during E.A.S.T.?
This year, I’ve got several concrete counter top projects in progress. So, the studio will be filled with molds, in various stages. Some will be filled with curing concrete. Others will be in various stages of completion. As far as finished work goes, I’ve got a new line of concrete cactus planters that I’ll be unveiling. As well as sconces, tiles, and other objets du concrete. But we’ll have the whole place cleaned up for the tour so as to spare our visitors from the real studio experience which involves a lot of dust, noise, and sweat.
Do you have a favorite project that you have worked on and what made it special?
Last year, GARDENS commissioned me to create a concrete bench, table and fountain for a west Austin residence. The bench was molded onsite and turned into place. It weighed over 3000 pounds in the mold and took 10 men to turn. And it landed within an 1/8” of its intended location! The table and the fountain were special because they both were molded as single pieces and contained an internal support system that allowed them to cantilever far beyond what one would normally expect.
What are some of the lessons that you have learned from working with clients? We are guessing that most of your work is commissioned….
Communication is paramount. High expectations can seldom be exceeded. Low expectations usually are. Too much choice can be confusing.
When you are not molding and pouring concrete, what do you do with your time?
Laughing. I like to laugh. I take long walks with my dog. And I play a lot of ping pong.
Is there any project that you have turned down and if so, why?
Sometimes, you just get a sense that a potential client is a real jerk. And I say, who needs it? Other times, we’ve realized that a potential client doesn’t understand the limitations of concrete. It’s not for everyone.
You wrote in your artist bio that you are exploring using more recycled materials in your work. What would this entail?
I’ve been mixing styrofoam into my concrete creations where applicable. It makes the concrete so much lighter. And it saves on the amount of concrete I have to use. And if mixed properly, it isn’t detectable. So far, I’ve been buying bean bag chairs on the cheap and using their styrofoam fill. But I have plans, as demand dictates, to create a styrofoam mill that would allow me to recycle styrofoam packing materials into a usable form with concrete.
Lastly, if you could only visit one other studio during E.A.S.T., which would it be and why?
Your question misses the point. The studio tour is all about getting out there and peaking behind the scenes at lots of different artist’s studios. Vive Variety! But okay, if I could only choose one I suppose it would be Phillip Kleinfelter’s place because his work is just so monumental and massive. The engineer in me can’t get enough of that kind of stuff.
