Matt Merkel Hess, Adobe Stock - Vjom
I made these self-portrait baking dishes for
a 2014 fundraiser at the haunted Greystone
Mansion in Beverly Hills, to benefit the nonprofit
LAXART. I was trying to make something that was
a bit spooky and interactive. The final project was
presented in the kitchen, where the bread was
sliced and toasted, and then guests could add
butter, jam, and honey. It was a really fun project,
and I enjoyed each step of the way. Here’s how to
do it.
1. PLASTER-BACKED ALGINATE FACE CAST
First you need to make an alginate cast of your
face. The best product for this is Alja-Safe
alginate from Smooth-On, which is nontoxic and
designed to be used with body and face casts.
You’ll need a helper for this. Cover your
eyebrows and any facial hair with hair gel or
petroleum jelly, and put on a plastic poncho or
something to cover your clothes. Next, mix the
alginate in a clean bucket. Your helper will then
apply the lavender-colored alginate to your face
and let it set (Figure
A
). Be sure to leave your
nostrils clear (Figure
B
), and you can also keep a
straw in your mouth to breathe. When I made the
cast, my face was “relaxed” and the cast ended
up as a sort of death-mask frown (Figure
C
).
So think about the expression you want in your
mold, and also an expression that you can hold
throughout the 30 minutes or so it will take to
make this mold.
MATT MERKEL HESS
is an artist,
educator, father. Midwesterner in
New York City via Los Angeles. Find
him at merkelhess.com.
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a
d
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TIME REQUIRED:
A Few Weeks
DIFFICULTY:
Easy–Moderate
COST:
$60–$70 plus $10–$30 for kiln firing
MATERIALS
» Smooth-On Alja-Safe alginate, about 1lb
» U.S. Gypsum No. 1 Pottery Plaster, 10lbs
» Gypsum bandages aka plaster gauze, to support
alginate cast
» Low-fire red terracotta or earthenware clay,
5–10 lbs
» Bread-making supplies: Flour, yeast, salt,
water Your favorite recipe should work.
TOOLS
» Buckets for mixing alginate and plaster. Make
sure they’re clean.
» Drill and mixer blade or mixing paddle for
mixing alginate and plaster
» Poncho or plastic sheet to protect clothes
during face cast
» Hair gel or petroleum jelly to protect eyebrows
» Clay sculpting tools such as plastic or metal ribs
» Kiln access to fire your terracotta baking dish
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