3D Design: Artist Research.

As part of the 3D design block we've been given a list of artists, and told to research and blog about one. I chose to look at Kiki Smith. I was already aware of Kiki Smith's work but not of her sculptures, which seems mad as there's so many! I love how Kiki's work is always a bit confronting, challenging and has a dark/unusual feel.

The first piece I really liked is called 'Pee Body'.

I love this piece because it's really bluntly showing something that is considered taboo, and in my opinion doing it in quite a humorous way. I love the mix of materials and the contrast between the beads and main body, the awkward positioning and flailing stream of beads.

The next piece that caught my attention was 'Sirens'.

I'm not sure what to think about these pieces, they're incredibly interesting and slightly dark and eerie, and they're really reminding me of something which is also winding me up! (The bird/human that transports you places in Zelda) I really like the idea though, I'm not quite sure of the concept behind them but they're unsettling. I like the change in sizes too, although the faces don't really change you instantly get that feeling of age differences, interesting that size corresponds to that.

The last piece I'm going to blog about is called 'Daisy Chain'.

I love this piece. I like that when I was looking through different images of the sculpture, it had been arranged in various different ways, constantly changing/evolving the first impression and feel of the work. The contrast between the the loose chains and sculpted limbs actually has a funny impact on you, and makes me feel quite strange. I like how it makes the solid limbs look like they could be limp also, made out of rubber. 

3D Design: 'Enclosure' Brief part 2.

After developing my first two responses, I worked on constructing a further 3. I struggled with the wire when trying to keep it straight, and so started to experiment with different materials as well as different shapes when looking at ways of responding. I found some double sided card (white on one side and grey on the other) and thought the contrast was really interesting. I planned out different techniques in my sketchbook, like hole punching and gold eyelet detailing, and started to construct my first spherical cage.

I used staples to fix the card in place. The finished response was surprisingly strong! I was very happy with the strength and look of this response. I moved on and started experimenting with more materials, paper, canvas, plastic coated wires etc... I wanted to create a very colourful piece to contrast with the previous one. I took pictures as I put it together to show the layering of different materials, like the hidden canvas I tried out on the inside! 

For my third and final structure, I decided to risk using the wire again! I thought it would be easier to bend into a circular shape than keep it straight. Alone it looked boring, so I wove green thread round it. I loved the contrast of colours and also the straight angles created within this circular shape. It looked really interesting! 

...and here is all 3 displayed together! Overall this task has been fairly beneficial, I enjoyed working into and developing my responses, and looking at all the possibilities that come from one word! I'm happy with my structures, however if I had more time I would have tried to suspend them (cubes and spheres) or display them in some other way. 

3D Design: 'Enclosure' Brief.

After being split into groups, we were given a word which we were to generate thoughts and ideas around, and eventually create 3D responses to. We were given the word 'Enclosure'. Straight away I recognised this was a really nice word to work around. Starting with a mind map, we came up with different areas relating to 'Enclosure', for example...

• Cage/Box
• Clothing
• Transport
• Housing/Ships/Rooms...
• Shapes, Circles
• Phobia, Claustrophobia/Agoraphobia  

After watching demonstrations of paper folding techniques, I decided to try out different methods and see if the material was suitable for 3D construction. I decided on using paper for my response, and using a traditional 'cube' layout to construct it. However, I wanted to make the box more cage like, so used cut outs to make it look how I imagined.

After creating this response, I wanted to make a similar object but with different materials. I had not yet worked structuring and welding wire so I decided to do that. After planning/refining ideas in my sketchbook I got to work creating the structure. I found the wire quite difficult to keep straight, and I struggled with incorporating different materials. I'm happy with my responses so far, and if I had more time would have used fish wire to suspend one cage within the other. 

3D Design: Connection/Tubes photography.

We were sent to the photography department with our tubes to focus on capturing the idea of connection. Initially, we were put into pairs and had to direct each other and the shoot. We were looking at forming different unusual connections using the tubes, connecting different body parts/people. I was made to connect my ear and foot, and I challenged my pair to connect his arm and foot using his tube.

I think the texture and the shape of the tubes work well with how the shoots were directed. Having the person sat down makes your figure look more entangled and connected without even introducing the tubes. I like how in the second photo I shot (bottom right) the lighting means his hand and foot actually look naturally joined, it's very fluid.

In the next shot we worked together and used both of our pieces. The way we are stood (head on) looks quite strong and confronting, and the tubes kind of ease that and create a flowing connection.

After this the group combined and we created 2 group pieces. Experimenting with 3D so far has been fairly eye opening, I've rarely worked with this media before. I enjoyed looking at the different effect these objects could have and the connections they could make, I wish I had to chance to work more with different ideas and medias as I think I could have created more/bigger pieces (relating to the tube project).

3D Design: Making/Connecting Tubes.

The challenge was to make two tubes, with a hole in either side/can be connected in some way. After looking through some examples of artists work I decided I wanted to create something similar to Eva Hesse's work. Her sculptures (particularly the strand/rope like ones) have a really natural/organic feel to them, even somewhat resembling body parts. I loved these long thin layered/textured pieces and wanted to create something similar.

So I started by testing with materials, and then made my first piece. Using the canvas as a base I rolled it into a long tube shape, I then layered it up with all different sorts of material. Using rope/bin bags to shape the tube properly, and wire/masking/gaffa tape for texture. I found that using these layers and bounding it tightly also made the tube more flexible. 

We then went to photography and worked in pairs/a big group, using our tubes to connect us together. I do not have the photos at this minute and so will make a separate post for those.

Our group was then set a challenge of connecting all our tubes together to make one big structure. We decided on having two towers on either end, joined by string/attached to the ceiling. All tubes in the middle were hanging from ceiling/hung on sticks. It was pretty difficult to get stable, but once we did it looked great!

As it was a lovely day, we went outside to capture our tubes with everyday objects. I tied my tubes to a tree, put them inside a plant with similar looking leaves, weaved them through a fence, leant them against a handle bar and (my favourite) looped the tubes round a bike chain. I tried to capture my tubes looking as natural as possible. Some didn't quite work, but I enjoyed experimenting with different ideas and objects. 

Fine Art: Experimental Drawing: Artist Research

Recently in the Fine Art block we've been experimenting with different and unusual ways of drawing/mark making. We've been trying out everything from ink and stick, card and wash, to thread and sponging shoe polish! In conjunction with this we've been researching artists who also choose to use experimental methods to create their work.

The first artist I looked at was Gavin Turk. I was surprised by the fairly large range of work his has. Turk uses all sorts of different materials to create his work. From polystyrene, tea staining, footprints, neon lights and newspaper cutouts, egg shells and more! I just really enjoyed looking through this work and exploring the different techniques he's included.

The next artist I looked at was Jane Grisewood. My favourite work was the performance pieces she does, exploring time and memory with continuous line drawing and repetition. I have never heard of something like this being done, where the artist creates the work there and then as a piece, so for me this was new and a very interesting take on drawing.