I made several sketches prior to the actual production of my sculpture. Eventually I chose the first sketch.
![]() Starting this project, we were asked to make several drawings from observation. So I started looking at different elements such as fire, microscopic adipose tissue, osteocytes etc., thinking that we were allowed to use materials other than papers. However, it was a misunderstanding. Therefore I had to start over - it was a little struggle for me. After fully understood the instruction, I decide that I would try making a sculpture based on leave patterns in the shape of a sphere. I was satisfied with this idea, so the process started. After the first prototype came out, it was clear that the paper cannot give enough support to maintain a sphere shape. It was too fragile, so a solutions had to be found to deal with this support issue. Eventually three solutions came up. Using foam boards, a 3 dimensional plane is formed: Two planes: Three planes 1: Three planes 2: Besides the issue of support, the prototype actually turned out very close to my imagination. As its test shots were taken under dramatic light, the shadows created by the cutouts project to the wall behind it, giving it a delicate appeal. I was so fascinated, so I decided to use this as the focus of this project. In order to keep the relationship of light and shadow as the focus of the project, I chose to make everything as simple as possible. Any additional colors or complicated internal constructions would distract the essence of the texture of paper and the beauty of light and shadow. After the main decisions were made, the actual production process began. It was a tedious and almost frustrating experience. Since the pattern on the panels were very detailed, it took about 1.5 hr. on average just to cut out one single panel. After 9 hours of cutting, the clothes (panels) can finally be worn on the body (planes). However, they didn’t seem to fit. Naively, I thought the carving was the most difficult part of this project; it turned out that the following was the real challenge. The planes didn’t fit the panels quite well and each planes didn’t connect very well either. After many tries and careful measures. This was the solution I found: By utilizing the frictions between each plane, they were held together without glue. And the similar theory applied to the panels as well. By allowing each panel to overlap each other, the frictions force the panels to form a sphere. The only additional support (tape) was only applied on either end of the sphere. At this end, I ‘m very glad with the outcome. The shape and pattern remained organic as planned, and the expectations of simplicity were made in many ways as well. Not only did the textures of paper remain untouched, the adhesion were made with very limited additional materials. It was simple in both external and internal manners. Reflecting on this project, I was reminded that although grass is usually not the natural element that we praise the most, it possesses high complexities within its ordinary form. And I think that would be the idea conveyed through this final product. |
AuthorZoe Wang Archives
December 2015
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