Peace of Stone Video
Peace of Stone: A Woodstock 50th Anniversary Perpetual Memory
You Are Going To Make a Peace Sign Out Of What?
Just before the 4th of July holiday, John Brady, the owner of Brady Company Distinctive Landscaping showed me a rough hand-drawn sketch showing a peace sign in the middle of a rock slab. Knowing Mr. Brady for over 40 years, I assumed this was a new customer project, but instead he mentioned that the Dutchess County Fair this year themed their Horticulture Building with “Flower Power,” to coincide with this years Woodstock 50th anniversary of the 1969 concert on Max Yasgur’s farm.
John explained his idea, in relatively simple terms to me, in handcrafting a peace sign that rotated within itself. He had me hooked, when are you picking it up? When are you starting? When are you going to work on it? And so it began, coming from Pleasant Valley Stone on a Saturday morning in early July until it’s safe delivery to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds Horticulture Building in preparation of the 174th Annual Dutchess County Fair, Ramblin’ Hudson Valley has followed the path. Enjoy the following pictures and video on how this pretty astounding peace, no piece of art was chiseled into life.
Peace of Stone Process:
A Rocky Start
When he let me know that he would be picking this piece up that Saturday morning, I knew that I had to start with its journey then. Al Sarinato, the owner of Pleasant Valley Stone himself, helped John slowly settle this huge slab into his truck. Once strapped in he (well actually we, I was following behind with the camera), drove back to his shop in Hyde Park to place it and begin the process of measuring what was needed. That day he chiseled some edging to get a feel for the stone and identify any flaws.
Lines, Lines, Everywhere There’s Lines
When he told me everything was going to be done by hand, I didn’t have any doubt that he could carve his design. In truth the amount of calculation, geometry, and preparation for this task on his part was immense, as he laid out his center where eventually the sign would rotate and then begin outlining the symbol, he knew that any small miscalculation would end in disaster. His weakest points would be the two outside edges of the circle, each giving only a few inches to maintain it’s frame.
Craftsmanship Brings It Together
First the outside, then inside of the peace sign was outlined. Coring out the center symbols (which alleviated a lot of weight), allowing the entire rest of the circle to be cut and removed. The slab was then built within a frame to keep its structural integrity and then placed upright again in preparation for its legs and peace sign mechanics. Glenn Reed, who has worked with John for over 30 years, as well as his staff Tracy and Paul, helped muscle through the process, as well as a ton of supporters, like Davies Hardware in Poughkeepsie where Matt and his staff helped John with materials along the way.
Getting It There
The Peace of Stone, a simple enough name for a moment of everlasting ease, was all packed and ready to go, but it needed to be brought up very delicately. Brandl’s Towing was contacted by John to bring his forklift equipment and assist with the offload, and again with personal service, Mr. Brandl sent his son Devon, to personally handle the job. From Hyde Park to Rhinebeck, we also followed it’s journey, eventually ending up in the empty Horticulture building with John’s team ready to finish the display. Working tirelessly through the weekend, the area was set up and decorated in preparation for Monday’s judging! I know he is looking forward to the Hudson Valley enjoying this piece!
In Closing...
As you can probably tell, this episode has been a very personal one for me, especially showcasing something this special with someone I’ve known my whole life. This amazing piece of art can be viewed here, and we’ll keep you updated on its whereabouts!
