Featuring exquisite photos of 800 contemporary and historic works, this first-of-its-kind book reveals how the process of casting-pouring material into a mould-has transformed our world through its history and omnipresence. In these image-rich pages, craft, fine art, design, and everyday objects offer us perspectives on casting's unique possibilities, its place in history, and its role in contemporary object creation. Comprehensive and insightful, the book includes writings on casting as it relates to Art History (by Suzanne Ramljak), Ceramics (by Ezra Shales), Glass (by Susie Silbert), Large Metal (by Joe Becherer), Jewelry (by Jen Townsend), and Alternative Materials (by Elaine King). A multi-disciplinary approach-including everything from traditional lost wax casting in non-ferrous metals to casting rubber, glass, porcelain, plaster, and some very unexpected materials-makes this an essential resource for artists, craftspeople, historians, designers, and everyone interested in the objects that populate our world. AUTHOR: Jen Townsend has an MFA from SIU Carbondale in jewellery and metalsmithing. In addition to being a studio jeweller and author, she has taught at Penland School of Crafts and at Millersville University, among others, and has served on the Board of the Society of North American Goldsmiths. Townsend's work is in the permanent collection of the Imperial War Museum. Renee Zettle-Sterling received her MFA in sculpture and her MA in jewellery and metalsmithing from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. A professor of art and design at Grand Valley State University, she has exhibited and lectured on her work nationally and internationally and has been featured in many publications. Zettle-Sterling also served as President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths. 803 colour and b/w images