3D Final Assignment – CDL (research)

ELISA STROZYK

I came across Elisa Strozyk because of her interesting use of wood as textile and her ability to make wood look like fabric from the folds created which creates sort of a softness to wood which is known to be quite rigid. It resembles crushed paper to me too.

It looks and smells familiar but feels strange, as it is able to move and form in unexpected ways.

The processes to transform wood into a flexible wooden surface is its deconstruction into pieces, which are then attached to a textile base. Depending on the geometry and size of the tiles each design shows a different behaviour regarding flexibility and mobility.

I tried modifying her technique and use wire mesh instead of cloth to follow the CDL brief as the materials used must be durable as it is an outdoor structure. Also, a crushed paper ball has an irregular shapes from where the paper bends, I cut the basswood into irregular geometric shapes similar to those on the paper.

Then, I hot glued gun the flat surfaces onto the mesh and arranged the so that it would fit and create folds so that I would be able to fold it into a ball. 

However, after completing a section, the mesh was too stiff to bend and maybe I did not leave enough spacing in between the wood for the metal to bend so I scrapped using this technique. This whole project is quite trial and error based as it is my first time using wood.

 

3D Final assignment – CDL (research)

I wanted to do the lotus flower sculpture but Peter said it was quite boring on the form and it was true so I reverted back to my trash ball idea. 

I found some interesting sculptures that played with geometrics shapes and lines.

Helen Stewart

Tracy Featherstone


First sketch of the geometric trash ball on the left and second sketch on the right.

Third sketch.

Sample model made out of styrofoam.

After making the sample model, I felt that even though the form was interesting, the whole design looked rather convoluted and did not really suit this project. So it is back to brainstorming again but I have decided to retain that geometric feature which I think would work really well with wood.

All that Glitters is not Gold – Unpredictability Final

I made a gold, diamond shaped piñata and hung it outside of ADM on a tree next to the roadside. My classmates are in for a surprise as I have placed a mixture of confetti, glitter and fake insects inside of it. The confetti was taken from party poppers and it was quite nerve wrecking to remove it and there was no rationality to buying party poppers as confetti which can be bought separately.

To make the geometric shape of the piñata, I used cardboard and cut out 5 pentagon shapes. Then I measured 15cm from the flat base and scored the inside of the cardboard so I was able to bend it. After the bend, the excess cardboard was trimmed away so the 5 ends could connect to form a tip like a diamond shape.

After pouring in my secret mixture into the diamond, I started my paper mache which is the traditional ways of making a piñata. The first layer I tried was PVA glue and newspaper but it did not create a ultra strong layer so I changed the PVA to flour and water which created a harden first layer. I did about 4-6 layers per side, including the top too. The cut gold foil paper into square shapes and pasted it all around to cover the paper mache.

LET THE FUN AND CHAOS BEGIN.

It is normal for the piñata to fall onto the ground and to the surprise of many, it took a lot of strength to break apart the piñata. 


ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD

After compiling the responses from friends and classmates, I wanted to use their preconceived idea and twist it so that it becomes unpredictable. The piñata is Unpredictability as we view it as an unassuming, innocent object and as always in it is a pleasant surprise. Unpredictability has a negative connotation to it whereby it is volatile in nature and it means change which most of us prefer familiarity instead of the unknown. The change from Unpredictability is inevitable itself and forces one to accept the change or adapt. But Unpredictability can lead to beautiful things. One example are relationships whereby it is beautiful yet it is change to an individual’s lifestyle.

Hence, the piñata is the perfect symbolism of Unpredictability. It is something we see and recognise and may seem beautiful, pleasant on the outside but it is the inside that we cannot predict or know – Unpredictable. When breaking apart the piñata, the motion itself is chaotic but through the midst of this chaos, there is a catharsis. Among the glitter are insects which no one expected and it is the individual’s choice to deem that as good or bad. Therefore, adapting to the unpredictability of it.

Unpredictability – Research

I consulted Peter and he advised me to try and try to brainstorm more because he said that Tarot cards are already known to be unpredictable. So back to the brainstorming.

However, this time I decided to ask my friends and classmates what does Unpredictability mean to them. Because my main concern was that Unpredictability was subjective which it is and so I needed a new perspective from other people to at least narrow down my options.

The words with > beside them are the definitions from friends, classmates and myself.

I came across Deep Sea Sand Art on Pinterest and I was intrigued by it because it was mesmerising and yet unpredictable because there is no knowledge of what design will  be form. From that, I decided I wanted to make something mesmerising but it tricks the audience into believing their original notion of that idea and not think further into it. 

Thus, I decided to make a piñata. But with a TWIST. Every child or most children would have interacted with one at birthday parties, they are introduced and brought up with the idea that piñatas are filled with sweets, confetti and happy things.

So playing with this idea of their preconceived notion of what a piñata is, I’ve decided to include fake insects and glitter inside the piñata.

Assignment 2 – Unpredictability

First day when I found out my topic was Unpredictability, I freaked out a bit because I had no idea what I wanted to show and the term itself could mean so many things. I even joked about doing something similar to Marina Abramovic’s Rhythm 10 whereby she lays out 10 knifes and plunges each one of them quickly into the space between her finger. 

I switch on the first cassette recorder. I take the knife and plunge it, as fast as I can, into the flesh between the outstretched fingers of my left hand. After each cut, I change to a different knife. Once all the knives (all the rhythms) have been used, I rewind the tape. I listen to the recording of the first performance. I concentrate. I repeat the first part of the performance. I pick up the knives in the same sequence, adhere to the same rhythm and cut myself in the same places. In this performance, the mistakes of the past and those of the present are synchronous. I rewind the same tape and listen to the dual rhythm of the knives. I leave.

Then Peter commented why do that when I already did that last sem and at first I did not understand then I realised he meant because I sliced my finger open 🙁 Sigh. 

Ok but I started brainstorming and came out with a few ideas from the dictionary definition of Unpredictability.

I planned on using the concept of Tarot cards bc they’re known to be unpredictable when it comes to knowing your future but at the same time they are predictable as someone reads that future, thus predicting. The tarot cards would be a modern day version which shows different desires on it and similar to the traditional tarot card, the person wanting their future read has to transfer their energy on to the cards by placing their hands above the cards and selects the one that “speaks” to them.

Gift Assignment Research

After the first class and with the information I have, I started researching on works that could inspire me.

MATTHEW SIMMONDS

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When we hear of marble sculptures, we tend to think of the human forms belonging to timeless examples from Greece, Italy and elsewhere. A form is not necessarily a solid, as sculptor Matthew Simmonds points out through his work, which consists of sculptures not of full and defined human bodies, but of empty architectural interiors.

– Yatzner

Simmonds has worked on restoration of monuments such as Westminister Abbey or Salisbury cathedrals which has inspired him for his works of sacred and ancient buildings.

Every work of architecture is a victory over Nature and a celebration of Man’s skill and ingenuity. In the sculpture of Matthew Simmonds however, this principle is reversed: Nature overpowers architecture, as if it encases or envelops it: the pristine and elaborate interiors seen in Simmonds’ work are like fossils of buildings, trapped inside the rock into which they have been carved, thus diminishing their otherwise grand and humbling character.

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I relate to his sculptures as they were not only interesting but they were out-of-the-box ideas which is similar to Justinne’s personality. Furthermore, Simmonds’ inspiration of ancient architecture and his ability to combine both nature and man-made to create a sort of freeform sculpture alludes to Justinne’s desire to travel, her carefree attitude and love for nature.

BEN YOUNG

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Lighting plays a large part in the presentation of my pieces. When lit from beneath, the light reflects and gives off the illusion of the piece being brought to life. I hope viewers might imagine the work as something ‘living’ that creates the illusion of space, movement, depth and sense of spatial being. I like to play with the irony between the glass being a solid material and how I can form such natural and organic shapes.

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I am fascinated with Young’s ability to combine his materials into organic shapes similar to that of Simmonds and the juxtaposition of the materials used to create the illusion of depth and solidity to his works. Furthermore, there is a sort of innocent narrative and serenity to the sculpture which could possibly be the illumination of his work using glass.

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Alexandre Chapelin

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These are Lagoon Tables created by Chapelin which was inspired by his immediate surroundings on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin where his studio is based. The resin adheres to a travertine slab (a form of limestone) to mimic water alluding to the sea surrounding the island.

I refuse on making a manufactured product simply because each model is unique and I cannot produce two identical tables, so neither will 2 people own the same table of my creation.

I’ve always respected the difference between people, their personalities and characters and I believe this should reflect in the interior design of their homes.

– Alexandre Chapelin

This resounded with me as my client Justinne is unique on her own and the allusion of water reminded me of her as she loves the sea. Also, the nature-inspired table has a calmness to it and it’s own character which suits Justinne.

My artist inspirations are rather organic and nature based as not only does Justinne enjoy the nature but I do too and all these artist’s ability to fuse their works with organic and man-made materials creates an interesting take on their works. Moreover, they all have a narrative to tell which I intend to portray in my design too. 

Gift Assignment

This project is sort of an ice breaker created by Peter as my current class is made up of 70% from my Sem 1 class and 30% from other classes.  

We were randomly given partners (Peter tried his best to partner us from different classes) and I was partnered with Justinne! I realised Justinne came from my 4D class too and we are both majoring in Product Design as I later discovered. 

For the first task, we were supposed to gather as much information as we could from our partners. I think this part came relatively easy to me because I’m quite inquisitive (or maybe because I like talking) so in the end I helped generate some questions for Kai and Justinne to use. 

This helped with easing the nervousness and awkwardness we all felt and we all eventually opened up about ourselves. So this is what I managed to find out about Justinne (please do not mind the messiness).

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To summarize, Justinne is an ENFP/ENFJ and likes doing things that are unique. She’s also an adventurer and grew up travelling but she prefers to travel to Europe or Canada. She likes personal/vintage works and things that are organic/natural as she told me that it is soothing to her. Also, she likes cooler colours even though she wears monotone colours and she likes the sea but prefers land as she is unable to swim. There is more information about her but I think these are the main ones that describe her.