Sculpture Restoration

Vizcaya Barge Herms, Coral Gables, Florida

From 2022 to 2024, RLA undertook a major project consisting of conserving and replication Alexander Stirling Calder’s four original Herm sculptures located on the iconic Barge at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. This project involved the re-fabrication of three of the sculptures using 3D laser scans.

The new sculptures were cast using a custom formula of Edison Coating Inc.’s Replic-8 using a local shell aggregate that paid homage to the original carved oolitic limestone while also being able to withstand the harsh marine environment of Biscayne Bay. The sculptures were cast by Works in Stone in Pennsylvania and delivered to Miami for installation. RLA partnered with Red Door Construction for the rigging and logistics necessary to hoist and place the herms into place via a barge crane. This required careful coordination considering not only the careful lifting and handling of the new sculpture casts, but also considerations of Miami’s diurnal tidal patterns in order to facilitate the proper installation of the sculptures. Additionally, scaffolding was installed to access the herms that was in compliance with Miami’s strict marine construction ordinances.