American Experience

Borglum's Sculpting Technique

Clip: Season 14 Episode 4 | 2m 22s

After his workers had blasted off the surface rock of the mountain, Gutzon Borglum spent days and nights watching how the light and shadow landed on the mountain. This process ultimately made him decide to deviate from the original plan and shift 20 degrees. Borglum built a studio size model of Mount Rushmore and proceeded to enlarge the measurements on a scale to sculpt the mountain itself.

Aired: 01/20/02

Rating: NR

Buy Now:

Problems Playing Video? | Closed Captioning

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Support provided by:

American Experience.

Explore Free Resources
(Trans)formation: Christine Jorgensen

Clip

(Trans)formation: Christine Jorgensen

Christine Jorgensen was one of the first people to successfully undergo gender affirmation surgery.

Watch