Scaffolding, sculpture frame and the pods get attached.







So, to go back slightly, this is Grant constructing the scaffolding. It took a couple of days all up with Mark's assistance.

In the centre is a gantry with a pulley system, which Grant built. He will use it to lift the sculpture and turn it while he is working on it.

The tarp was attached by throwing ropes across and pulling it taut. It is doing the job so far, as long as there are no gale force winds with rain.

This frame was made up in the studio to sit the sculpture on, keeping it off the ground. Grant carried it outside to the scaffold  using the tractor.

A platform was then built to go on the tractor forks to use like a cherry picker for working on the sculpture. With every new sculpture, new equipment needs to be bought or made. The whole process is one of problem solving to be able to construct something completely new. Grant has learned to be an inventor along the way.

The frame arrives. It was built at a steel fabrication factory in Geelong using an engineer's specifications and Grant's marquette, or model. It proved to be very challenging with the strange angles in the centre and it took a lot longer than expected. Grant made frequent visits to assist and keep their spirits up.

  It's raised into place using the tractor and gantry.

Mark does some final adjustments.

There seem to be many moments in this initial stage where Grant wonders what he has got himself into. The rest of us get excited by the wonder of it all while the weight of responsibility rests heavily on Grant's shoulders. We have a lot of faith in him...

The first of the pods come out.

This is where polystyrene is good. Mark looks like he is under some strain here, but really, it is not so bad.

This is me with one of the site supervisors, Pablo.

The two halves of the pods are glued together and then strapped while they dry.

Our first glimpse of the finished shape. There is a long way to go from here, but it is so exciting to see it come this far.