Pure Forms
Sketches
Sculpture
Critique of the Project:
I wanted to create a piece of furniture in this project, especially because pure forms lead to minimalism. I was inspired by Peter Shire who created mostly armchairs out of pure forms.
I also wanted to create a multidimensional object so my sculpture could be turned over to be a stand or to be a seat. The sphere looks a lot like a pouf and seems very comfortable. I think the triangles can be used to wedge a number of things as well.
I wanted both sides to be stable and structurally sound enough to be usable with multiple points touching the ground. As a consequence, one side looks aggressive with its triangles. I needed legs for the chair and so cones were ideal shapes although this gives the sculpture an impression of poking the air and it looks quite sharp.
It is not a sculpture that inspires softness and calm, but instead it looks futuristic and could remind of some robots. In a way, it is a piece that is post-modernist.
The sculpture tends to be uniform and might look similar from all sides even though each leg is made with different shapes. However, because of its versatility and futuristic look, it is “able to look different to everyone” as one of my classmates mentioned.
Maybe the feet are irregular and could be rearranged to be more functional, but I kind of like that they are slightly tilted to the side.
Finally, my non-objective object has a lot of symmetry and looks autonomous rather than objects coming together. It reminded of a rocket ship ready to take off or a robot (Hero 6) shooting out lasers to some of my classmates although the intention was to keep the piece abstract. It overall gives an illusion of movement, and it is dynamic.
I also wanted to create a multidimensional object so my sculpture could be turned over to be a stand or to be a seat. The sphere looks a lot like a pouf and seems very comfortable. I think the triangles can be used to wedge a number of things as well.
I wanted both sides to be stable and structurally sound enough to be usable with multiple points touching the ground. As a consequence, one side looks aggressive with its triangles. I needed legs for the chair and so cones were ideal shapes although this gives the sculpture an impression of poking the air and it looks quite sharp.
It is not a sculpture that inspires softness and calm, but instead it looks futuristic and could remind of some robots. In a way, it is a piece that is post-modernist.
The sculpture tends to be uniform and might look similar from all sides even though each leg is made with different shapes. However, because of its versatility and futuristic look, it is “able to look different to everyone” as one of my classmates mentioned.
Maybe the feet are irregular and could be rearranged to be more functional, but I kind of like that they are slightly tilted to the side.
Finally, my non-objective object has a lot of symmetry and looks autonomous rather than objects coming together. It reminded of a rocket ship ready to take off or a robot (Hero 6) shooting out lasers to some of my classmates although the intention was to keep the piece abstract. It overall gives an illusion of movement, and it is dynamic.
My Extraordinary Object
- I have decided to replicate a teddy bear because it is used to embrace and comfort, and I know how news, in an odd way, can be comforting.
- I curled the news to show how news curl around the mind. I also choose grey and dark material around the head to show how negativity grows on us without us being aware of their grip on us. The dark "fingers" of tragic news shape our way of thinking and the way we see the world around us.
- My intention was for my audience to become aware of the way journals manipulate us.
- I transformed a childhood object into something pernicious in order to show how innocence can be corrupted. Children are usually born happy with hopes and dreams, and somehow inside of us we have to keep this beautiful part of us alive. It's hard to keep it alive when so many calamities and so much corruption surrounds us.
- I hope my audience will grow a part of them that pays attention to acts of kindness around them. I hope they realize that creating their own positive news can make a difference in them and around them.
- My object was made from the Dayton News journal of the day. I think that added some authenticity to the creation. The Journal made bold claims about its ability to tell us what to think and love. I was able to glue this on the object's forehead to help understand what the object is all about. Without the writing, it might have been very hard to understand the concept.
- I ended up using one of the samples I had made, which is the one where I curl paper.
- The object is a bit creepy, but I think it works because the message I want to convey is not supposed to make us feel comfortable either. The object might also look crowded as there is a lot going on, but I hope it looks dynamic with the yin and the yang theme.
PROJECT RECAP
I have made a book-bag that will contain my sketches, crayon box, toiletries, and notes without everything falling at the bottom of my bag.
It will be either a box I place inside my back pack or it will be something I carry on my shoulder.
Its function is to hold my stuff in a more organized way. Until now, I had to dig out things from my bag and I lost some objects in there. Eventually one day I might forget an apple. Yuck!
Many objects are an extension of ourselves. I always carry sketches around and pens and glasses, but I don’t really have a dedicated place for them. I’d like to have an object that would be at the same time practical and would reflect my personality. It’s hard to find a backpack that helps organize our things in a satisfying way. Opening a book to find treasures of my day is much more exciting to me and more practical than searching inside a messy pouch. I usually like to spread out the objects around me before I use them. Having a dedicated folder/back pack that keeps everything in one place without taking too much place on the table would be nice. Having a container that is not slouching out of shape would be a game changer for me.
When I am wearing my book-bag, I feel more like myself. I am wearing who I am on my arm. But not only that, I also feel satisfied that all the things I carry with me are exactly where I want them to be. If my bag is organized, my head feels organized too. I don’t have to think about where things are. I know I didn't forget them and that is reassuring.
To make this object, I used mostly very thick cardboard, thicker than usual for sturdiness. I didn’t want to have an object that can be easily destroyed. I wanted something functional. I also used tissue paper to cover the inside, sealed with mod podge. I also used Faber-Castel gelato pigments for the cover to give the effect of an old book. I sealed the cover with furniture mod podge so it is varnished and things will not fall apart. Finally, I used decorations to show the passage of time and how it’s important to get things done, or time will literally fly.
My biggest fear was to see my project decompose. I am afraid of the rain and also the wear and tears. Sealing the book-bag well should be my next priority. Should i use epoxy or a fixative? I haven't decided yet.
Through the process of creating this object, I realized that I could make many other objects myself instead of buying them. It’s fun, less costly, and I can design or redesign this object to my preferences. Nothing beats objects that are costumed. I feel more confident in my ability to make objects I can actually use. I might not succeed the first time and it might not be great, but making prototypes is fun and gives me a feeling of owning my skills. That is why I have taken this class so I can reach my main goal: improve and grow.
I have made a book-bag that will contain my sketches, crayon box, toiletries, and notes without everything falling at the bottom of my bag.
It will be either a box I place inside my back pack or it will be something I carry on my shoulder.
Its function is to hold my stuff in a more organized way. Until now, I had to dig out things from my bag and I lost some objects in there. Eventually one day I might forget an apple. Yuck!
Many objects are an extension of ourselves. I always carry sketches around and pens and glasses, but I don’t really have a dedicated place for them. I’d like to have an object that would be at the same time practical and would reflect my personality. It’s hard to find a backpack that helps organize our things in a satisfying way. Opening a book to find treasures of my day is much more exciting to me and more practical than searching inside a messy pouch. I usually like to spread out the objects around me before I use them. Having a dedicated folder/back pack that keeps everything in one place without taking too much place on the table would be nice. Having a container that is not slouching out of shape would be a game changer for me.
When I am wearing my book-bag, I feel more like myself. I am wearing who I am on my arm. But not only that, I also feel satisfied that all the things I carry with me are exactly where I want them to be. If my bag is organized, my head feels organized too. I don’t have to think about where things are. I know I didn't forget them and that is reassuring.
To make this object, I used mostly very thick cardboard, thicker than usual for sturdiness. I didn’t want to have an object that can be easily destroyed. I wanted something functional. I also used tissue paper to cover the inside, sealed with mod podge. I also used Faber-Castel gelato pigments for the cover to give the effect of an old book. I sealed the cover with furniture mod podge so it is varnished and things will not fall apart. Finally, I used decorations to show the passage of time and how it’s important to get things done, or time will literally fly.
My biggest fear was to see my project decompose. I am afraid of the rain and also the wear and tears. Sealing the book-bag well should be my next priority. Should i use epoxy or a fixative? I haven't decided yet.
Through the process of creating this object, I realized that I could make many other objects myself instead of buying them. It’s fun, less costly, and I can design or redesign this object to my preferences. Nothing beats objects that are costumed. I feel more confident in my ability to make objects I can actually use. I might not succeed the first time and it might not be great, but making prototypes is fun and gives me a feeling of owning my skills. That is why I have taken this class so I can reach my main goal: improve and grow.
Critique
It was quite challenging to create this book-bag.
I had to tear it apart many times because the different parts did not fit together well, or I had missed a step in its construction. I tried new techniques I wasn’t sure would work so there was a lot of experimentation going on. Because, in the past, I had shied away from trying new things, I was glad that I finally took a step in the right direction. Trying out in the dark is paralyzing to me and so it was nice to have projects that helped me go beyond my comfort zone. I think that if I had to redo this project, I would stitch more parts together. I have discovered that stitching is much more effective than gluing and it also looks nicer. Cardboard is an incredible material that is quite flexible although I had to reinforce some parts like the spine of the book with thick, heavy-duty tape. Some materials I used like rubber couldn’t be glued no matter what I used (glue gun, super glue or tacky glue) and so I had to stitch it to the box. Also, the flap to close the book is still a work in progress. I think stitching a button might work. The only problem is that the thread I use goes right through the cardboard and so I might have to use a square made of fabric to start the stitching or use a thicker thread. Overall, my book-bag was well received. I spent a lot of time on the design and my classmates appreciated this, and me too 😊 The design was meant to talk about the passage of time and remind me to not delay and try out new things no matter my age and abilities because time flies. My classmates thought it reminded them of fairy tales and secret-boxes. I was glad that my object stirred up the imagination because that’s what I want to feel when I look at it. I want this book-bag to inspire me to do more and better things. This object will surely remind me how hard it was to find the courage to sign up for that class and how much I have learned and how much I could still do. It is nice to see that all my classmates have learned enough in this class to create objects that show how much they have grown over one semester. |
Artist Research: Trenton Doyle Hancock
Contemporary visual artist Trenton Doyle Hancock is known for his intricate and fantastical mixed-media artworks. Born in 1974, he has obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas and his Master of Fine Arts from Philadelphia.
His art is rooted in storytelling and mythology. He often draws from his experience in an African American community. His central work talks about the "Moundverse," a complex universe inhabited by Mounds (part-animal, part-plant beings), the Vegans (vegetable-based characters), and the Torpedoboy (Hancock's alter ego). These characters hold battles that put in question identity, morality, and cultural history.
Hancock's artwork is defined by dense, layered compositions, vibrant colors, and details.
He uses different media, collage, drawing, sculpture, costume design and performance art.
He has also collaborated with musicians, filmmakers, and writers.
Hancock brings together pop culture, mythology, and personal narrative. He has talked about the therapeutic aspect of art-making in different interviews. His engagement of the whole body and mind allows him to experience a catharsis through an emotional release. His installations are also a site for conflict and resolution and a reflection on the human condition through space.
I like his work because it is imaginative and hybrid. he does not stop at showing a black and white world; he shows the complexity of our experiences and all the shades of grey. In a contemporary world where many people want to divide people into clear cut groups, we need some nuances. Art and performance are a great medium to engage our minds and bodies into a purifying workout.
Through my research, I have learned that contemporary art wants to link diverse experiences and diverse ways of expression. We are not limited anymore by the medium we use or our choice of art form. We are discovering new ways of reaching out to people through space and our senses. I think art could be an innovative way to make connections and interact with people and nature. We are slowly losing the ability to touch and feel with others, so I am touched by Hancock's vision because I believe it can bridge the physical with the digital.
Trenton Doyle Hancock's work is all about mind-body connection. He often reflects themes related to the mind-body connection.
- His creativity is physical. He has a hands-on approach to working with a variety of materials. He works with space and dimensionality. He employs gestural mark-making and expressive movements. He also uses the body as canvas.
- The characters he creates are hybrids between humans, plants and animals. He means to say that the body is mutable and adaptable and is connected to the world in many ways. There is a form of animism in his art.
- He reflects on the complexity of our psychology and the interaction between the conscious and the unconscious.
- He likes to engage performers in order for the spectators to physically engage with his work through the senses. Many exhibits nowadays are designed for interaction and use multi-sensory elements. The spectators are not passive anymore, but they are invited to go through an experience to learn or become aware.