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 :\