THE SCULPTURE The sculpture we are using is a blend of form and function—functional art. Each piece will have two areas that serve as seats. The shape itself is a natural form resembling a sand dune or a snowdrift. The shape has opposing sides and its sweeping curves move you around the entire piece. Left: At the unveiling in Porter County, September 29, 2005. AFS Limited, the same company that created the Highland Downtown Ducks and the Crown Point Bulldogs, is creating the County Seats. Below are photos of the beginning of the manufacturing process. You may ask "Why didn't you use an animal for the sculpture?" Well, this project takes the popular "community animal sculpture project" and adds several innovations: • The use of an abstract form instead of a realistic object or creature • The use of recycled materials instead of entirely virgin fiberglas • Expanding the participation from one town to three counties In response to the question many animal art projects get—"Is it art?"—we are using a simpler, abstract form that cannot be merely dressed in an outfit or uniform. Because it is a simple shape, it is more challenging for artists. They must develop an interesting artistic concept and be skilled painters to execute their idea successfully. Artists may choose to transform this piece into whatever they imagine. The symmetry may inspire concepts that speak of dichotomy or contrast. We can't wait to see what local artists do with this blank "canvas". The sculpture seats are made with recycled materials, thanks to project partners Lake County Solid Waste Management District, Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County, and Solid Waste District of LaPorte County. Waste from the manufacture of solid surface countertops is diverted from a landfill, mixed with resin, and put into a mold to create the final sculptures. This mixture dries to create a very durable surface. A thin layer of fiberglas is then sprayed on to create an outer shell. By expanding the project to encompass three counties, it will encourage tourism throughout Northwest Indiana and by working together each town and city benefits from increased visibility. AFS LIMITED—FABRICATORS A full-size model is sculpted and the surface is sanded to remove any imperfections. Once the shape is approved, coats of resin get sprayed on to the model. A mold is then created from the finished model. Seams are constructed along the edge using cardboard—splitting the shape into two equal halves. AFS Limited 4401 South Western Blvd. Chicago, IL 60609 773-376-6062 www.afslimited.com pwa@afslimited.com