PILLAR OF FIRE, PILLAR OF CLOUD
Original Edition Copyright Š 2016 Edelman Studios Copyright for the photographs Š Ryan Haine y
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New York Milwaukee 2016
PILLAR OF FIRE PILLAR OF CLOUD Rich ard Edelman
Photography & Design by Ryan Haine y Text by Rich ard Edelman
PILLAR OF FIRE, PILLAR OF CLOUD “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; that they might go by day and by night; the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, departed not from before the people.” (Exodus 13:21-22) a themed comission from Milwaukee’s Congregation Shalom. Standing 25 feet tall. 15,000 pounds of stainless steel were needed to rise to this height and withstand, as code required, wind loads of 100 miles per hour. My challenge was to evoke misty clouds and swirling flames with this mass and heavy cross sections. Over 100 individually cut pieces were created and passed through massive cold rolling machines. The Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire represent the presence of God as a protective force during the pilgrimage of the Israelites through the Sinai Desert. The watchful presence of these pillars continued throughout the 40 years of wandering following the exodus from Egypt, until the time they arrived within the Land of Israel. The purpose of these pillars was to protect the Israelites from attacks and misfortune, as well as to guide the Israelites to the Promised Land. So too, may these Pillars serve to remind us of God’s presence in our lives. Congregation Shalom is very pleased and excited to be the beneficiary of The Pillars, a significant and meaningful gift dedicated in honor of Rabbi Ronald Shapiro and in memory of Sam and Sylvia Edelman on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the congregation. Designed and created by local metal sculptor and congregant, Richard Edelman, The Pillars will be dramatic and inspiring representations of the Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire. These outdoor, permanent, 24 feet tall, stainless steel sculptures will be installed in front of the Samson Sanctuary.
In May of 2011 Rabbi Shapiro and I met to discuss the idea of a sculptural project for Congregation Shalom. We walked the grounds and settled on the outside area which lies in a direct line west beginning from the stained glass Tree of Life though the bimah, center aisle, the tall windows and then to the front lawn of the synagogue. This is a very public exterior space, yet related directly to the interior of the sanctuary: a fitting location before an impressive modernist stone building. Rabbi Shapiro suggested the theme of the Pillars of Cloud and Fire, which led the Israelites by day and by night in the Exodus. I connected with his theme emotionally. Pillars are tall and powerful and would relate very well visually to our thirtyfive foot tall building and to the monumental Tree of Life within the sanctuary. Rabbi Shapiro also wondered if we might make use of the Shin form in the sculpture, expressing the presence of Shaddai in the Pillars and in our lives. I was taken by this conception in visual terms: the shape of the Shin when placed vertically resembles fire, while when placed horizontally evokes wings and the clouds on which wings fly. Using these themes, I began to sketch flames and clouds in pencil and graphite, then pastels, metallic paint and chalk. After interim meetings with Rabbi Shapiro and Rabbi Chertkoff the forms were translated into metal. Through cutting, shaping and bending, flat steel became three dimensions. There were also engineering issues to address, essentially how to make this very tall structure self supporting, yet to make steel feel like the smoke of fire and flame, and the mistiness of clouds. In all, about a dozen steel models were created at a scale of six to one, so that the planned twentyfour foot structure was based on a four-foot model. The primary method of metal working for the models was blacksmithing: the steel was heated to red hot and bent with tongs and hammers, then cooled and joined by welding.
The Meaning & Significance of the Shin The Shin is the 21st letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The letter has represented our hopes that God protect the earth and its inhabitants as well as bestowing peace upon our lives. As a symbol, the Shin represents the Divine power as it is the initial letter of Shaddai, one of the names of God. The letter also stands for shalom denoting peace. The shape of the shin resembles a flame, signifying the dynamic movement in the Universe and its active and expansive forces. At Congregation Shalom, we use the shin in our logo, reflecting the warmth and caring of our congregation. Our sanctuary doors, adorned with the shin, welcome you to enter. By incorporating the shin into the design of the Pillar of Fire and Pillar of Clouds, we are reminded of the presence of the Almighty in our lives.
INITIAL MODELS
PILLAR OF FIRE - final model
PILLAR OF CLOUD - final model
Building Challenges. - Engineers couldn’t figure out wind loads by reviewing models. - Had to physically test models with a come along and a scale before approval to build full scale sculptures.
FABRICATION
PILLAR OF FIRE Specific grind strokes were utilized to evoke flames. At different temperatures, stainless steel takes on different colors that evoke fire itself. Blues and whites are peak temperatures while, while lower temperatures produce straw color characteristics.
PILLAR OF CLOUD An organic uniformity of grind and flat sandblast was utilized to evoke the layers, density and texture of clouds.