Gating the art

After the art is completed, the gating process begins. The artist must construct a method for the molten bronze to reach the art. In the photo, the three pieces depicted in in red and brown are gated projects.
The artist creates a "cup" which is where the molten bronze will be poured into the mold. A paper cup is sprayed with mold release and a piece of metal is bent and inserted so the mold can be hung to dry during the investment process. Scrap wax and used wax is melted and poured into the paper cup. The metal hook is inserted so it will be embedded in the wax and will hold the completed mold. When the wax cools, the paper cup is removed.
The next step is for the artist to use long strips of red wax to construct a path for the molten bronze to fill the art. Thick strips of red wax are used to create a channel from the cup to the art. Smaller tubes are placed from the top of the art piece back to the cup to allow the bronze to escape. The wax must be cut to the right length then attached to the art. It is critical for the gating to be sturdily attached at all points. Toothpicks and wooden sticks are used to reinforce the joints and a very strong wax we call "sticky wax" is also used.
In these three gated pieces, the art is in brown wax in the middle of the gating. Once the piece has completed the investment process, the top of the cup including the hook will be cut off which will proved a wide opening for the molten bronze.
Many beginning students get very frustrated at the gating stage because if the joints are not really melded well, the structure will fall apart. Attaching the cup to the structure can be very difficult because it is heavy and an awkward shape. However, the cup is a critical component because it holds the entire structure together.
I had many mishaps when I first started from the cup falling off to gating detaching from the art. I have learned from many mistakes.