melon lamp
I used a plastic spherical form around the melon, using board pins to ensure clearance around the bottom of the melon
I mixed TFC Type 1 two-part silicone rubber and poured it through a hole cut into the top of the form
Once the silicone set, I broke off the plastic form and cut the silicone to remove the melon
I prepared an inner form using a plastic bottle, a screw-type bulb fixing and a rod in the position of the cable
I placed the form into the silicone mould, pushing the rod through where the stem of the melon had been
I put parts of the spherical form back onto the mould, wrapping the whole thing in tape to prevent leakage, before filling the gap between the mould and the bottle with concrete
Once the concrete had set, I removed the casting and used a hair dryer to soften the bottle so it could be pulled out, along with the bulb fixing
I could then insert a cord through the hole and wire the bulb fixing to one end, and a plug to the other
The finished lamp can be sat on a desk, using a wooden ring for stability and angle adjustment. (The lamp can also be hung from the ceiling)
The segmented and vein-like texture of the melon shows up well in the concrete surface
A gold mirrored bulb allows a light to reflect back into the concrete cavity, for a glowing effect