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| Each mould has a flexible rubberized interior to capture every tiny detail of the original sculpture. This rubberized interior is made by pouring the rubberized material over the original wax maquette (covered with release compound to prevent the rubber from sticking to it) and enclosed within a specially constructed form to permit only a narrow thickness of rubber to form. Once dry, the outer form is removed and the rubber "skin" is peeled off the original wax maquette. This rubber skin is then used as the interior of the final mould. As to the outer form, it is saved for the final mould construction. The rubber skin (forming the interior of the mould) can be seen in the image at the left. Notice that it is flexible to the touch (Pierre's thumb is bending it open and to the left) -- this very flexibility is what permits the rubber to pick up every original sculptural detail. The rubberized interior of the mould is encased in the protective stiff outer form (already referred to above) to prevent the rubber interior of the mould from bulging with the weight of the casting material. And finally the stiff outer form is encased within a wooden box -- split down the middle at a "parting line". |