Removing the Plastic
After the concrete had set sufficiently, he began cutting into the plastic. He worked carefully, slicing along the upper surface before peeling each bag away from the hardened material. What emerged was no longer soft or shapeless. Every bag had produced a solid piece with rounded sides and an irregular outline.
The plastic had acted as a flexible mold. Because no two bags had settled in precisely the same way, every concrete form looked slightly different. Some were wide and smooth, while others were narrower or more curved. Together, they resembled objects shaped individually by hand rather than poured from the same rigid mold.
He removed as much plastic as possible, particularly around the sides and underneath the edges. The concrete was allowed additional time to cure before he placed any significant weight on it. This is an important precaution, since concrete may feel hard on the surface before it has reached full strength. As the pieces dried, their color became lighter and the entire arrangement began to look more intentional. Still, one final step was required before the real purpose of the project could be seen.