Earth to Energy One - First Place and the Santa Barbara Sculptor's Guild 2013 Show
Dominick Laruccia, sculptor, was commissioned to create a piece for the San Diego Gas Company in 1964-65. His first effort was the piece pictured above. The materials used are copper nails, sheet copper, copper plumbing fittings, copper pipe, copper shot and a braising alloy. It stands about four feet high and sixteen inches in diameter. The color of the copper was achieved with a proprietary chemical patination. My best guess is that the copper nail armature was briased together with the aid of a steel pipe to help form the shape. I actually have the cardboard patters for the turbine stucture in my archives. I fancy that is akin to having notes from Leonardo da Vinci.
Dominick's background as an organic chemist was the catalyst for creating a double flame shape that enveloped a turbine-like structure suspended within the flame. The piece is a masterful opus of design and execution. True to the artists temperament, he was not satisfied with the piece. He retained this sculpture and produced another that was more complex and utilized glass spheres, plumbing fittings and large copper nails.
This sculptured was relegated to the back of a closet and never was shown in public, until now. I am pleased to say that it took first place in the exhibit and I am delighted to share the sculpture with the public.
Bravo Laruccia
Michael Hutchings
Coppersmith
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