Pavel the Octopus
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts & Cherry Street Pier, Philadelphia | 2023
Cast aluminum, powder coat, joy and gift giving.
Octopuses are incredibly intelligent, sensitive and fascinating in so many ways. They have three hearts. Their arms are not called tentacles, but arms, and the plural can be either Octopus' or Octopi.
Named after the foundry instructor at the shop he was created, Pavel is a life-sized cast aluminum octopus powder coated in a deep blue tone. He holds a flower in his arm as a gift to passersby and sits upon a pedestal with an invitation to interact, draw and write notes.
Pavel was first exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ Annual Student Exhibition then moved to Cherry Street Pier for a semi-permanent display.
Pavel began as a miniature sculpted octopus, cast in bronze during the fall of 2021.
The large Pavel was made possible by the generous support of the largest Fine Arts Venture Fund ever awarded at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Venture Fund Presentation, January 2022
Clay Pavel, May 2022
Mold Prep, June 2022
Wax Arms Created From Molds, July 2022
Slurry Shells from Wax Arms, July 2022
127 Pounds of Aluminum Poured into Molds, July 2022
Cooling Aluminum, July 2022
Aluminum Removed from Molds, July 2022
Assembly, August 2022
“Pavel’s arms have come to reflect many aspects of life, as well as being human, the different parts, the different ways we approach, and experience things. The 8 arms seems so relevant to me - that I can often see others as octopus’ making their way through life… He reflects my feelings about the importance of connecting, sharing, being kind….not just to anyone, but to everyone.”
-Kelly Lawler
