Friday, December 8, 2023

Mold Making: Assignment

Bebe Lawn 9 ¼ in x 7 in x 2 ½in Plaster held by wood

Artist Statement:

This sculpture was made with the intention mast to master the art of mold making. Creating duplicates of an object where one cannot distinguish a difference between them was my main goal for this assignment. The chosen object, a miniature plastic toy skeleton, became the focal point of my creative exploration. Through meticulous effort, I crafted 18 replicas of this skeleton, each an indistinguishable twin of the original. Subsequently, I ventured into the realm of texture, fashioning a textured landscape reminiscent of earth's surface for the skeletons to rest upon. Utilizing oil-based clay, I carefully imprinted the skeletons, creating an illusion of them enmeshed within the texture of the earth. The resulting molds, cast in plaster, boasted dimensions that added depth and authenticity to the terrain. As I navigated through the display, a disquiet lingered—an unspoken disharmony between the skeletons and the textured ground. It was then that I decided to courageously reevaluate my creation. The ground, with its captivating texture, held my attention and urged a new vision. Revisiting initial musings involving a miniature plastic baby, I introduced this element to the textured ground. The fluidity and natural fit of the babies within this landscape contrasted starkly with the rigid nature of the skeletons, invoking a captivating sense of movement and resonance. Central to this reimagined narrative, an egg emerged, serving as a focal point amidst twelve encircling babies. The piece, left in pristine white, found its soul in the infusion of red light, a deliberate choice to immerse the sculpture in a cinematic hue. This sculpture transcends conventional storytelling; its narrative is not explicit but rather exists as an emotional tapestry woven from the interplay of light and objects. It invites viewers into a realm where feeling takes precedence over explanation, where the essence of cinematography breathes life into an evocative exploration of form, texture, and unspoken narratives.

Inspiration:

Jake and Dinos Chapman

A scene from In Our Dreams We Have Seen Another World.

Jake and Dinos Chapman

Quay Brothers
A scene from Street of Crocodiles
https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/1223

Thomas Doyle
https://www.thomasdoyle.net/distillation/armistice/

Thomas Doyle
https://www.thomasdoyle.net/distillation/firing-for-effect/

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Foam and Plaster

Shifting Spiral
Foam, Plaster, Wood, Spray paint
17in x 17in x 17in

Artist Statement:

The intention for this sculpture was to develop an understanding of the materials, which were foam and plaster and their relationship to each other. Through this process, I gained knowledge of how the plaster reacts to the foam’s surface as well as how the foam is easy to manipulate. I carved out abstract shapes in the foam and then went deeper in detail by carving indents into those pieces. After that, I put two coats of plaster on the foam and sanded that down. When cutting out the foam into abstract shapes, I was inspired by how the foam was taking the blade. In some areas it was smooth to the touch, while others were rigid and bumpy. I was intrigued by this texture and decided to create a work that placed emphasis on this form. Most of the sculpture is white to direct attention to the texture of the surface and the movement of the individual pieces, as well as to stay true to the color of the plaster. I chose to paint a few pieces red, this color symbolizes urgency, and white symbolizes calmness. Creating contrast not only visually but as well as symbolically. The gloss shine shown on the surface of the sculpture illustrates the idea that the purpose of it is to display and preserve what can be created with these materials. The pieces that are on the side that are holding up the sculpture can be adjusted for it to be moved in various positions.