EAST Interview: Larry Isgur and His Very Heavy Art

Since most of your work is installation and therefore living peacefully in a place that is not your studio, what should people expect to see when they visit you during E.A.S.T.?

This year, I've got several concrete counter top projects in progress. So, the studio will be filled with molds, in various stages. Some will be filled with curing concrete. Others will be in various stages of completion. As far as finished work goes, I've got a new line of concrete cactus planters that I'll be unveiling, as well as sconces, tiles, and other objets du concrete. But we'll have the whole place cleaned up for the tour so as to spare our visitors from the real studio experience which involves a lot of dust, noise, and sweat.

Do you have a favorite project that you have worked on and what made it special?

Last year, Gardens commissioned me to create a concrete bench, table and fountain for a West Austin residence. The bench was molded on site and turned into place. It weighed over 3000 pounds in the mold and took 10 men to turn. And it landed within an 1/8” of its intended location! The table and the fountain were special because they both were molded as single pieces and contained an internal support system that allowed them to cantilever far beyond what one would normally expect.

What are some of the lessons that you have learned from working with clients? We are guessing that most of your work is commissioned....

Communication is paramount. High expectations can seldom be exceeded. Low expectations usually are. Too much choice can be confusing.

When you are not molding and pouring concrete, what do you do with your time?

I spend a lot of time reading about how the GOP is in shambles. And laughing. I like to laugh. I take long walks with my dog. And I play a lot of ping pong.

We understand that you formed your current business, Caldera Designs, with your best friend, Carlos. Do you have any advice for other aspiring artists who are considering going into business with friends?

Don't do it. Unless, as Carlos says, you've got money in the relationship bank. We have money in the bank, Carlos and I. So when one of us screws up, we fight. But there's enough there to keep us going. In business, with your livelihood on the line, conflict is inevitable, no matter who you are. Make sure your friendship is strong enough before you risk it.

Is there any project that you have turned down and if so, why?

Sometimes, you just get a sense that a potential client is a real jerk. And I say, who needs it? Other times, we've realized that a potential client doesn't understand the limitations of concrete. It's not for everyone.

You wrote in your artist bio that you are exploring using more recycled materials in your work. What would this entail?

I've been mixing styrofoam into my concrete creations where applicable. It makes the concrete so much lighter. And it saves on the amount of concrete I have to use. And if mixed properly, it isn't detectable. So far, I've been buying bean bag chairs on the cheap and using their styrofoam fill. But I have plans, as demand dictates, to create a styrofoam mill that would allow me to recycle styrofoam packing materials into a usable form with concrete.

Lastly, if you could only visit one other studio during E.A.S.T., which would it be and why?

Your question misses the point. The studio tour is all about getting out there and peaking behind the scenes at lots of different artist's studios. Vive Variety! But okay, if I could only choose one I suppose it would be Phillip Klinefelter's place because his work is just so monumental and massive. The engineer in me can't get enough of that kind of stuff.

We absolutely agree that E.A.S.T. is indeed about variety and seeing as much as possible. Thanks for talking with us through the wonderful world of email!