---
title: "Fabrication"
description: "The physical production of an artwork (casting, welding, printing, carving) often carried out by specialized studios working from the artist's designs."
glossary: "https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary"
source: "https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/fabrication"
---

# Fabrication

> The physical production of an artwork (casting, welding, printing, carving) often carried out by specialized studios working from the artist's designs.

Glossary: https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary  
Source: https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/fabrication

Much of the large-scale public art you've seen was artist-designed but
fabricator-built: foundries, metal shops, and fabrication studios translate a
concept and a maquette into something that stands up to wind load and
winters. That's collaboration, not compromise. Knowing what to hand off is
part of the craft.

Two contract questions worth settling early: who absorbs fabrication cost
overruns, and who warranties materials and workmanship after installation.
Bringing the fabricator into design conversations early is the cheapest
insurance available. Buildability problems found on paper cost nothing.

Related terms: [Commission](https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/commission), [Maquette](https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/maquette), [Sculpture](https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/sculpture)

## Mentioned in

- [How to Inventory a Public Art Collection](https://www.civiccollection.com/blog/how-to-inventory-a-public-art-collection)