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Travis Gillum and Lara McGlaughlin - IHPA legacy

Travis Gillum and Lara McGlaughlin of LifeFormations discuss the art and meticulous techniques that go into the creation of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library's many historical figures. During a presentation at the Presidential Museum's Union Theater, the two demonstrated how they transform clay, silicon and other materials into incredibly life-like figures, and the challenges of bringing such well known figures as Abraham and Mary Lincoln to life, from conceptual drawings to period accurate costumes. The presentation was made during the Museum's "Evening with the Creators" series to celebrate the institution's 10th anniversary.

Interview Links

Abstract

Interview Session 01 Audio

Transcript

Photos

Caption
Prior to the opening of the Museum, several of the LifeFormation figures were on display at the 2004 Illinois State Fair to see how they would stand up to curious museum-goers. Eyelashes were some of the more delicate items on the figures.

Where:
Illinois State Fair

When:
2004

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
A collection of Abraham Lincoln figures at various ages and poses as the the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum nears completion in 2005.

Where:
Unknown

When:
2005

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
Union generals George McClellan and Ulysses Grant appear outside the replica of the White House in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.

Where:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
One of the most moving exhibits in the Presidential Museum is the depiction of a slave auction, with a family being torn apart.

Where:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
Lara McGlaughlin checks out a bust prior to beginning to transform it into a recognizable figure during her presentation to an audience at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in June 2015.

Where:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

When:
June 2015

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
Lara McGlaughlin and Travis Gillum during their presentation at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in June 2015. Note the several hairless busts of Lincoln on the table.

Where:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

When:
June 2015

Ownership:
Narrator's phot

Caption
Moderator Mark DePue leads the audience Q & A session with Lara McGlaughlin and Travis Gillum during their presentation at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in June 2015.

Where:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

When:
June 2015

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
Lara McGlaughlin uses Elizabeth Mayer’s (the oral history intern) hand to illustrate the technique for creating lifelike hands with the LifeFormation figures.

Where:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

When:
June 2015

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
Travis Gillum and Lara McGlaughlin enjoyed their chance to explain the creative process to the audience of volunteers and fans at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in June 2015 during the museum’s 10th anniversary celebration.

Where:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

When:
June 2015

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
Lara McGlaughlin appears behind a head as she begins to explain the process of bringing the figure to life during her presentation at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in June 2015.

Where:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

When:
June 2015

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Travis Gillum of LifeFormations makes a point during his presentation to ALPLM volunteers and guests during the museum’s tenth anniversary celebrations in June 2015.

Where:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

When:
June 2015

Ownership:
Narrator's photo



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