River of Iron. Courtesy the artist.

River of Iron: Pouring the Mississippi

Rivers are the lifeblood of landscape, as necessary to a healthy environment as iron is within our bloodstream. River of Iron: Pouring the Mississippi focuses on the importance of the Mississippi watershed that stretches across the entire central section of the United States. Our experiences with rivers and waterways are often deeply personal and reflect their importance in our lives. Watch this performative iron casting with illuminating molten iron and explore your own story of the river.

Artist Tamsie Ringler will pour the river in iron—creating a 20 x 20 ft map including the river’s tributaries. The iron will be poured into molds, river by river, throughout the night. Iron artists and assistants will include local and regional sculptors specializing in cast iron process and graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota.

Tamsie Ringler, lead artist and coordinator, is an Assistant Professor of Sculpture at the University of Minnesota and directs the annual Community Collaboration Iron Pour at Franconia Sculpture Park.

Made with support from University of Minnesota Art Department, Franconia Sculpture Park, McKnight Public Artist Professional Development Grant/Forecast Public Art, Imagine Fund Special Event Award, Weisman Art Museum, St. Paul Neighborhood Network, U-Spatial, Nelson Minar and the help of so many volunteers – family and friends.

Dedicated to Maris Strautmanis.