Stream 2 – Research/ Development/ Experimentation
This category seeks to deliver investigative outcome and observations on subjects such as alternative iron furnaces, contemporary digital methods in sculpture, and other innovative techniques of casting iron. Discussions on framework and application of alternative materials for creative arts will be part of the mix as well.

Iron Curtain – the Recent History of Latvia
Dr. Nollendorfs is an expert on recent Latvian history. This talk will provide framework and context for the creative arts in Latvia. He will cover the recent history of Latvia, its movement into the 21st Century, and the effects of past occupations upon the country .
Speaker:
Valters Nollendorfs Chairman of the Board, Occupation Museum Association of Latvia/ Latvijas Okupacijas muzejs / Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

High Carbon Steel-Making using the Traditional Japanese Tatara, the Brick Tatara, and the Wootz Crucible Method
An illustrated presentation of three methods of making high carbon steel directly from Magnetite Iron Ore: The traditional Japanese clay tatara, a hybrid brick version of the tatara, and a contemporary version of Wootz [crucible steel].
Presenter:
Wayne E. Potratz Sculptor; Professor Emeritus and Director Emeritus of the University of Minnesota Sculpture Foundry; Scholar of the College Emeritus, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

COAL: The Key to Recreating West African Furnaces in America
While on a Fulbright grant in Ghana, I studied with master craftsmen who still use traditional West African metal casting techniques invented over a thousand years ago. When it came time for me to recreate their furnace in the US, I experimented with several versions of furnaces until I discovered that my fuel was the problem. Coal is the only material in American that can come close to burning as smoothly and efficiently as the ordinary charcoal made from the scrap rainforest trees in Ghana, some of the densest wood on Earth.
Presenter:
Virginia Tyler Sculptor, Associate Professor, St. Augustine’s University, Raleigh, NC, USA, NEA International Study Grant, West African Research Center, Fulbright Fellowship

Easy on Your Wallet and the World: Small-Scale Dung Molding for the Backyard Metal Caster
This panel will introduce the ancient African dung method and show participants the basic dung mold process. An alternative, affordable, environmental process of mold making that can be done in your backyard. Through research, experimentation and re-creation of the dung casting method, the emerging artist can continue producing cast metal work in an affordable and environmental way.
Presenter:
Becca Flis Sculptor; BFA-Sculpture- Alfred, 2014 Cast Iron Workshop: 2013 International Sculpture Symposium, New York, USA

From Mountains to Molding Sand: Legacy of a Transforming Landscape
Fifteen thousand years ago in New York State, unique geologic and glacial events produced exceptional sand with extraordinary properties. The Albany Sand Project set out to locate and secure reserves of this rare material. The sand-cast works and results of all inquires are presented along with a photographic documentation of the entire project.
Presenter:
John Galt Sculptor; Professor, Skidmore College; Gutman Fellow, Univ of Pennsylvania, USA

Co-existence and Interaction of Different Materials and Form-Building Methods – Practice of Latvian Sculptors
This presentation will include a concise survey of the interaction between the form-building methods as well as stylistic trends in stone carving and those of casting works in bronze and other metals. A long lasting mutual interactivity between these two methods is a typical feature of Latvian sculpture. Some specific manifestations in this respect are due to the immense popularity and strong traditions of the granite sculpture in Latvia. The works cast in bronze or other metals have quite often been stylistically treated using the same elements of geometrization that are common in stone sculpture. The overview of the above mentioned tendencies may help to explain the growing interest of Latvian sculptors in expressive qualities of direct casting and new possibilities found in using cast iron.
Presenter:
Ruta Čaupova Art historian; Specialist in the plastic arts; Senior Researcher at the Institute of the History Art at the Art Academy of Latvia

Archaeological Evidence of Inlay or Tausija as a Technique for Silvering Iron Ornaments in Latvia in the 12th – 14th Century
An expert in the field of Latvian archeology, Prof. Svarāne will focus specifically on the topic of iron archaeology in the Baltic region, providing background and history for the pertinence of the site of 7th International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art and why it is being held in Latvia this summer.
Presenter:
Dagnija Svarāne Professor- Latvian Academy of Culture, Riga, Latvia

The 21st Century Foundry: New Approaches in Teaching and Practice
How can the 21st century foundry provide a contemporary foundation for teaching and creating? This panel will present artists of the 21st century that embrace the radical shifts in sculpture history, while successfully incorporating cast metal objects into their creative work, engendering a conversation.
Panelists:
Katie Hovencamp Sculpture, Durational Performance, Video; MFA –Sculpture, 2014-The Pennsylvania State University , USA
Cydnei Mallory Research Assistant, BFA Candidate-Sculpture, The Pennsylvania State University
Kelly Wilton MFA Candidate-Sculpture, The Pennsylvania State University
Moderator:
Cristin Millet Sculptor, Installation artist; Associate Professor of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, USA

Employing Organic Materials in Complex Reaction Molding
Research into the chaotic texturing of castings using organic material as the textural source will be presented. The intersections between organic and inorganic material will be emphasized, as will methods of including organics in the pattern. A special focus on complex reaction molds using digital tool path milling to create sand mold patterns will emphasize controlling the reaction and its effects.
Presenter:
Alvin Huff Sculptor, Reaction Mold Specialist, MFA Candidate-Sculpture, Arizona State University

New Advances at the Edge of Technology
A group of sculptors working in the digital realm discuss advances in conceptualizing sculpture through digital methods and the implications of this. New 3D tools are increasingly employed by sculptors to explore form in new ways, pushing the boundaries of the discipline, using data and other input to drive form.
Panelists:
Alvin Huff Sculptor, Reaction Mold Specialist, MFA Candidate-Sculpture, Arizona State University, USA
Harvey Hood Sculptor, former director of Berllanderi Sculpture Workshop & Head of Sculpture, Cardiff University, UK
Christian Benefiel Digital Sculptor, Assistant Professor/Area Coordinator- Sculpture- Shepherd University
Paul Higham Internationally active Computer Sculptor and Researcher, USA
Moderator:
Mary Neubauer Sculptor, digital artist, interactive public art; Professor-Sculpture, Arizona State University, USA

From Turf to Tools
The Scottish Sculpture Workshop is situated at the foothills of the Grampian Mountains near ancient settlements. Excavations at a Pictish site yielded artefacts dating from 700AD indicating the manufacture of cast and forged metal. Archaeologist Dr Gordon Noble and the SSW recreated an iron axe using materials and techniques of the time. This presentation highlights both the research and the unforeseen aspects: land use and access, change in landscape, preservation of natural habitat and the origins of the bogie man.
Presenter:
Eden Jolly Sculptor, Media Artist, Video and Sound Art: Instructor and Shop director- The Scottish Sculpture Workshop, UK

Contemporary Blacksmithing in the Estonian Academy of Arts
Presenter: Nils Hints