String it up.

The final outcomes.

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The process involved a lot of trial and error.

The first final model was created by accidentally threading the strings wrongly, but interestingly, it created a different kind of contrast amongst the strings.

Curious to see how the original outcome would have been, I made another model, this time including the deconstructed versions to show progress as well as how interesting they looked despite not being the finalised models.

Pulling Strings.

For project 2, we were tasked to create string sculptures out of well, strings, and paper.

When we first started off with researching, it seemed feasible and it looks like a lot of cool stuff can be done. Here are some of my favorite works found on Pinterest:

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I set off with the idea of wanting to do geometric shapes, or a sphere. And started with the structure of a pinwheel, experimenting what I could make out of it.

I started off with the pinwheel shape and thought that I would experiment along the way, but eventually I was still quite bounded by the shape of the pinwheel.img_6090

Not sure if this was the best I could have came up with… But it wasn’t good.

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Disappointed, I attempted at something I thought was simper. But again, it turned out to be a mess of strings and there was nothing cool about the structure.

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I found some leftover strips of paper and I attempted sewing them together. At this point, I was wondering, if the strings were going to be wavy, why don’t I just create something wavelike? Perhaps like water? Hence the use of blue strings.

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It’s not very pretty from the top but I liked how geometric it is from another angle. img_6094

And check out the zig zags. img_6095
It didn’t turn out well and it was challenging as vanguard paper is quite flimsy, as compared to the references I have found previously. In search of something closer to our project guidelines, I found these sculpts:
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I think they were minimalistic, and really simple, but somehow is still interesting and it seems like a good direction to work towards.

With the newfound references, I tried to be more simplistic, but this time having a better direction to work with. It was a circle and a line, with the strings intercepting in the middle. img_6098

I was wonder if I should cage the middle sculpture up with something similar to the second reference above as it might be too plain… (or plane, pun intended) 
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Still flimsy, but a lil’ bit better! At least a recognisable shape came up of it.

Still unhappy, I tried one last attempt in class. This time, using a different method of tying the string. (Tying the knot at the needle head instead of cutting the string and tying a knot at the end – this way, I don’t have to worry about the string running out.) Also, from the various previous experiments, I kept experiencing strings falling out, even if there were knots tied. I made sure to tie enough knots this time so nothing would fall out. Also, sewed two sides of the paper together in attempt to create a taut sculpture. But nope, it didn’t work.
img_6096 img_6097Nah….

So I went with my “The Circle and the Line” idea. This time, on a sort of plastic sheet. img_5942
Drew the lines, poked the holes, and threaded the strings. This sculpt is actually different from my experiment, but I like how it turned out so far. Best part, I finally managed to make the string look tight, probably because of the material. I am also a lot more careful with my strings and knots by now. This sculpt looks presentable, there’s still a bit to work on before it’s complete, and I might need to secure some sort of cool background as the contrast between the strings and the plastic sheet isn’t very obvious. img_5953

Also, OSS keeps rotating my photos 90 degrees to the right :\

 

Of Utensils and Hot Glue

Hey there! Last week we blogged about our trip to Thieves’ Market, this week, it’s time to realise what we’ve envisioned – making an animal out of junk (there probably is a nicer word for this, but let’s be realistic, they are junk).

I wanted to make a bird, and here it is!

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I was initially unsettled at first as I thought that the materials I had scavenged wasn’t enough or ideal, but I am pretty happy with my end product!

I started off with the giant spoon and the tail feathers, cutting up pipe for the feathers. I liked how they turned out and how I could organise them differently for the feathers to fan out differently. During the process, I also noticed how you cut the pipe (inner/outter) affects how it curls (outwards or downwards).

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I knew I wanted to use the forks for the legs. Initially I was afraid to bend them in fear of breaking them. Being careful not to over bend and break the utensils, I made the decision to pose the legs apart, so the sculpture can stand and look more dynamic all at the same time solving my initial problem. It is regretful that one of the toe broke as I was trying to pose it to look like it was propping up.

 

Aaaand meep meep! It looks like the road runner!

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I knew the creature I had in mind existed, but I couldn’t find what it was until I actually started with the sculpture.

The general idea of how I wanted to use the materials maintained, though the head and base of the sculpture were pretty much impromptu.

Let’s talk a tad more about the base which I thought was a rather smart and resourceful solution. I needed something to hold the forks, so I was walking around class scavenging for something someone didn’t need. I found the left over metal bowl of a tea-light candle – perfect! Cutting two slits on opposite sides, I slid the forks in and topped it with hot glue.

Ah yes, not to mention, initially my bird had door knocks for wings, but I deemed them unnecessary because without them, my idea was still conveyed and after all, less is more, right?

The whole project was stuck together by hot glue gun, which worked amazingly well. However, I could have been much more careful with it (to avoid screaming profanities as the hot glue touches my skin), as well as improving the workmanship of the sculpture.

All in all, this project was fun to make and it turned out surprisingly well, in my opinion.

I was really rather clueless with all these junk that I procured at first.

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Bull’s Head by Picasso

Last but not least, this sculpture was really cool. With more practice, perhaps my project could also have been way more abstract.

 

Thieves’ Market

For our first project, we are tasked to create an animal sculpture out of old and recycled parts. I’m thinking of making a bird / parrot. 

Testing video uploads: 

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Edit: Too bad they don’t appear as videos! Clicking the links will download it, but really, they’re nothing much, just my Snapchat story. 

As a starting point, the class went down to the infamous Thieves Market, the largest and oldest flea market in Singapore where there were tons of old parts and second hand goods up for grabs. I’ve always seen this place on TV and thought it was pretty cool, but have never found time or reason to visit it. Despite the blazing, blazing sun, it was fortunate that we got to visit it now because the market is scheduled to make way for the Jalan Besar MRT by 2017. When we visited, the market has already been reduced from it’s original size.

IMG_2016-08-21 17:53:11Here we go, first stop – where the class gathered was a physical store before delving into the Thieves market. Nice Uncle 1 sold lots of stuff, both old and new. A short conversation with the uncle also revealed that he was surprised that that many students (9 classes) are studying arts nowadays.

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Moving on to the actual Thieves market. Some said they’re selling junk that you already have at home, but really, there were all sorts of stuff. Yes, those are ice skates! They look pretty new too. I wonder where they came from. I would have asked the seller but uncles were busy playing poker.

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There were quite a variety of characters at the Thieves market, mostly made of the older generation. Some were nice, some not so. There was a beautiful parrot at the end of the market and when I tried to take a picture of it, I was not-so-nicely told to “EH DON’T TAKE PHOTO, THE PARROT SCARED!!!” by a kid probably aged around 11-13? The adult at the same stall also went on with a 5 minute rant on “don’t know why Chinese Chinese all like to take photo”.

Aaaand nearby the parrot-stall was where we met Nice Uncle 2! Really the uncle was the nicest person I’ve met around the market and it’s regretful that I didn’t get a photo of him or his stall. We were browsing and I am pretty sure we didn’t look like we were gonna get anything, but Uncle did something we never expected. He took out three packets of tissue and handed one to each of us and told us to wipe our sweat. Waaaaah soooo nice of him. Because of the service, it prompted us to take a closer look at his goods. We picked up some trinkets and asked how much it costed, but uncle said just take it! It was a nice closure to the end of the day. Faith in humanity, restored.

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So here’s my take-away! Yes I broke something (typical ST) so I had to buy it, Auntie charged me $10 for it and I didn’t dare to haggle because I broke part of a set. But it’s a challenge to make something out of it!

I don’t think I have all the parts I would need, but I think making feathers out of transparent pipe would be pretty cool.