Stucco and the blind man
Chapter 14: Cement stucco art
Videos from foreign countries showing decorative cement mortar.
A collection of amazing workmanship is working with cement mortar. Cement is a permanent and durable material. It it so refreshing to see these skills. Here features are made from cheap styrofoam and vacuum formed plastic glued on that requires no skill and looks cheap.
Note this plaque is made on a sheet of plastic, allowing it to be moved and stuck on a wall later, or hung up like a picture.
The area of the design is wet first. What he is putting on with his hands is a cement paste, which is used for a bonder. You may have seen this in my chapter about bonding mortar here.
The cement paste is painted on with a brush first.
These countries are in hot climates, mortar sets fast allowing working with mortar without waiting. This whole design is marked off with just a bowl.
The whole flower design is marked off using the same length of string.
A bowl and two straight edges.
This border can't be too hard to do, and looks so much better than styrofoam blocks glued on. Note their method of outside corners with no corner beads. On person holds the rod and the other fills in. We still do this method a lot.
This applique was also made on a bench to be put on later. I can't understand the language when he explains what material he uses for a bench.
The powder that is dashed on is a dry mix of cement and a usually a little sand. This tightens up the mortar so it can be worked with. These columns are supurb.
All hand tooled cement mortar. Some could be cast. A building with this durability should be around for centuries.
A collection of stucco boundary walls. Some of the designs are assymmetrical and some symmetrical. These designs add an attention getting decorative feature.
Great decoration.
Using a cardboard template.
After the basecoat is wet, the dry mix is used for a bonder.
Tree design
Just using a cup and a cut pipe.
Dry mix allows the mortar to be sculpted.
Probably a temple.
Ceilings are a challenge.
Why can't we do this here ?.
Temple arch.
There are thousands of these videos. Once you watch a lot of them, they will come up in your Youtube suggestions.
These videos go and go. We can use this level of skill and quality in this country. That way, our buildings will speak to future generations. Also, a skilled workforce wold boost the economy and quality of life.
This swag design is one of my favorites.
A collection of cement ceilings.
Thanks so much dear readers, for reading all these years, and for all the comments.