Steel as an artistic medium and how to use it
For the artist, findig an appropriate shape for a steel scuplture depends crucially on the material itself, which is provided either in the form of so-called semi-finished parts (i.e., tubes, plates, angle brackets, rods, etc), or in the form of scrap iron, i.e. finished used metal parts.
In semi-finished parts pre-determined features such as curvatures, preportions and singular measures are much less pronounced than in scrap iron parts. On the downside, working semi-finished parts into rounded, organic shapes by hand on location is next to impossible. Scrap iron, on the other hand, comes in all kinds of shapes, some of them quite interesting and surprising. But the fact that they are usually already worked out to the last detail imposes certain stylistic restrictions.

Most of the works on display are hollow objects made from steel plates; only very few are solid. The artists working at the Steel Workshop are free to make generous use of the supply of scrap iron parts. New material can be ordered from Energie AG as needed.
The overall shape of the final sculpture also depends very much on the tools being used to shape it.
For the past ten years Energie AG has been aiming to ensure the best possible working conditions for the artists. Each year, there are new options and possibilities for steel sculpturing on offer. Still, the number of possible basic working methods are limited to (i) joining the metal parts by (electric, autogenous or protective gas) welding; (ii) cutting the parts using a flex or oxygen cutter; and (iii) modifying their shape by forging. A computer-controlled plasma cutter is available for exceptional cases where particularly precise cuts are required. Alternative methods of working the iron (such as casting) are not supported due to the lack of the appropriate technical equipment. The combination with other materials such as concrete poses similar difficulties, as the cost in terms of time and effort would be inordinately high.
These working restrictions have a direct bearing on the appearance of the sculptures, as welds and cuts are all made by hand. As a result, variations in shape are limited by the material and the tools supplied. However, artists willing to accept these conditions will find that the plaster hall of Energie AG offers limitless possibilities of getting creative despite any technical restrictions.