Andreas says he’s mulling over several possibilities that have come to mind. The first one that he describes pays tribute to Hallowell’s lofty granite heritage– in a down-to-earth fashion. “Imagine if you were here in Hallowell a hundred or more years ago, visiting the quarry,” he says. His sculpture would capture the neighborhood youngsters nearby, in period dress, and just being kids– perhaps playing a game of crack-the-whip.
A second idea would be to use the local Hallowell granite to craft an architectural cityscape, including the downtown buildings and the river, all taking form from one stone.
Andreas has also been ruminating on what it is to be part of the Kennebec itself; and envisioning some sort of seed form †hat might have originated in the river. “I’d make it smooth enough to touch, and large enough that you could climb on it.”
“Your imagination is the most powerful tool in my toolbox,” says Andreas. “Of course,” he adds with a twinkle in his voice, “I may just keep conjuring up ideas until it’s time to put the chisel to the rock!”
“Something special happens when you perform heavy, physical work—you use up your outgoing energy, which makes us [artists] more receptive to incoming energy from those who are watching us and absorbing the process,” he adds. While the immediate work area is roped off for safety’s sake, “we are always happy to pause, put down our tools, invite questions and engage in conversation.”