3D to 2D

Process Photos

Final:

Artist Statement:

I enjoyed the simplicity of this project. I used images from the "Themed Object" project and cut them so the subject was unrecognizable. I utilized principles of design such as repetition to create movement. Other concepts that were implemented were unity, variety, and contrast. Overall, I found this piece to be beneficial and enjoyable.

Response to Touch by Diane Ackerman

Speaking of Touch

I never really realized how often "touch" is used in today's vernacular. It's really interesting how often we use words and phrases that relate to touch. Especially since touch is a sensation that is tangible and words are spoken and are not tangible. It makes me think of comparing a 2d object with a 3d object. It may be the same thing, but the 2d object is only a representation of the 3d object so they are different. 

First Touches

In one of my education classes, we often discuss children's behavior. One thing I learned this semester is that a baby who is not touched and who is neglected when he or she cries will soon shut down. This baby will grow up not being able to connect with other people and will develop severe behavioral problems. 

The Skin has Eyes

This section was particularly  interesting to me due to the fact that art it often gestural. As an art student, we are encouraged  to draw loose and free as a warm up. I find it interesting that they can make up "imposed" objects to understand information. In my ESE class this semester we learned that many people who go blind do not even realize they are going blind until it is too late. This is because the eye and brain coordination is so strong that what the eye lacks the brain will make up for it. So if you are losing sight in an eye and are looking at a tree. The brain will work to fill in the gaps.

The Hand

Of course, touch is associated with the hand. I think the concept of palm readers is kind of silly and seeing into the future is a hoax, but a lot can be said about a person with calyces hands. My dad's hands are calyces. He works outside and his hands are rough. His handshake is firm. I know how hard he works because I have seen it, but even if you had never met him, all you would need to do was look at his hands to see his history.

Response to Inventory/ The Tokens: Christopher Turner

This article made me feel very sorrowful. Due to the fact that the women of those days had to give up their babies in hope they would survive. I couldn't image having to give away something that precious. I have no personal experience with this type of loss or selflessness. The only thing I can think to relate it to is the form of the tokens. As Americans, when we visit graves we often will leave flowers or small objects. It's a way to grieve and connect with the person that was lost. In a sense, I think leaving these small tokens with the children was a way for the mother to grieve and still attempt to be connected. It is in human nature to show compassion and to feel sorrow when a great loss has happened. In this sense, the mothers may have felt even more sorrow because they were giving up their babies for the greater good. Whether if it was because they could not support them or because the child would have been labeled a bastard. It is not often in our day and age that we come across instances where this type of selflessness happens. This article definitely made me stop and think about the greater scheme and how times have greatly changed.

Themed Object

Theme

Image found here.

Image found here.

Image found here.

Process Pictures

Final 

Artist Statement: 

I chose the theme of succulent bouquets because of the interesting shapes the succulents create. After experimenting with different paper techniques, I chose to use makeup as the means to which I would apply color. I did this to give the piece a flesh tone and also to represent a less predictable work of art. I utilized a variety of techniques in creating this piece. The techniques I used included crumbling, folding, and twisting. Overall, the work turned into a very satisfying learning experience filling with experimentation and discovery.

Memento

Notes from discussion:

Responses to Susan Stewart: 

1. The body is the primary mode of perceiving  scale.

When I was young I lived in Alaska, and I remember going hiking with my parents. There was this one trail where the left side was up against a mountain and the right side was a cliff. I remember feeling so incredibly small. The mountain was not only much taller than me but as I looked over the edge of the path it went deep into the valley. There was a large sensation of being in a weird middle place.

2. Capacity of objects to serve as traces of authentic experience. 

Childhood is very important part of our lives, but as we get older our memories of childhood fade. Looking at old photographs and seeing childhood toys helps to regain those authentic experiences. I think objects act as a trigger to regain memories. 

3. The souvenir reduces the public, the monumental, and the 3 dimensional into the miniature, that which can be enveloped by the body.

Because souvenirs are small they become things we can carry around and take with us. These miniature items are more than just objects. They hold memories, smells and tactile references of a time in the past. These souvenirs are often the only way to relieve or remember a specific time.

4. Nostalgia  can not be sustained without loss.

During the fall of 2013 one of my favorite bands released an album. Close to that same time my boyfriend at the time broke up with me. Now, whenever I listen to that album all I think about is him.

5. To have a souvenir of the exotic is to possess both specimen and a trophy. 

As a big animals rights activist I think this statement is a very powerful one. People shoot animals and then hang the animal head on the wall. As if the animal were some trophy. But in all reality they have an animal carcass on their wall.

My Memento

Final:

Artist Statement: 

This memento is meant to be a representation of a memory. I was born with a birthmark on my right shoulder. It was a horrible dark brown circle with bumps. People would always stare and rudely ask, "what is that?" When I turned 16, I had the opportunity to remove it and I jumped at the chance. Although I was warned about scaring, I did not care. All I could think about was how pretty my shoulder would be without the disformity. After the surgery, I was left with a thin pink line. But as time went on the scar stretched and evolved into a large silvery purple raised scar. One that attracts more attention than the birthmark ever did. The purpose of this piece is to represent that feeling of never being perfect. I will always have the scar.

 I created my memento by sanding down the edges of a block of wood. By doing this, I created a multisided object. This resembles the many facets of emotions I have for this memory. I dyed the wood a dark brown to convey the color of my birthmark. I also covered the piece in a clear gloss to represent how the scar covers my skin. The piece is small enough to hold which is important to the overall piece. I am satisfied with how this memento turned out. I think it serves as a good example of my memory.

Soap Carving

Janine Antoni: This is not the first time I have heard about Janine Antoni, so it was nice to have some background knowledge of her work. My opinion of her art is that it is very abstract but quite brilliant. The "umbilical cord rope" is a really interesting concept. I enjoy that she thinks outside of the artist box. The intertwining of different fabrics might not have a large meaning unless the fabrics were considered important. The fact that an old family jacket was used in this piece gave it significance. The audiences connection to the piece is probably one of the hardest things to achieve. Her work goes beyond that because she is not only inviting the audience to connect with her artwork, but she is having the audience connect with herself. She poses for nude photographs, walks a tightrope and creates molds of her body. Her ambitions is very clear in all of her work and her ideas express meaning. I enjoy seeing her art and learning the meaning behind it, and even constructing my own meaning from it.

Process Photos

Final

Documentation  of Changes
Modification 1: Subtractive

For this subtractive measure, I sprayed my soap with the garden hose and rubbed it against the concrete.

Modification 2: Subtractive 

For this subtractive measure, I graded the soap with a cheese grader.

Modification 3: Additive

In this additive measure, I dripped candle wax on top of my soap shavings.

Modification 4: Subtractive

In this subtractive measure, I baked my soap and wax mixture in the oven and then compressed the goop into a lump.

Modification 5: Subtractive

Once the lump hardened I began to carve the soap into forms.

Modification 6: Additive

I added various pins in the soap at different angles to achieve different effects and angles.

Modification 7: Additive 

By adding the string, I accented the angles and proportions of the figure.

Modification 8: Additive

The last thing that I did to this piece was to add a translucent element. 

Final piece: 

Final:

Artist Statement: 
This project was creates using a subtractive measure. It is made completely of soap. By utilizing the carving tools, I was able to create a figure. I chose to carve a dog because of my golden retriever Levi. He is something that brings me joy and happiness so incorporating him into the piece gave it meaning. The changes that were made to the piece had no specific meaning. But, surprisingly by the time the second piece was finished it had a purpose. The second piece represents a precious stone. It is mounted in a way that resembles the nature of something valuable. This project proved to be extremely difficult. I had no background experience with carving, but overall I find the technique useful for my repertoire.