Title: "always moving" Size: 30.48cm x 30.48cm Medium: wood, metal, plexiglass and artificial flowers DAte: APril, 2016
Exhibition text:
This piece is meant to put my architectural skills to the test. Although they were not entirely challenged, I used the multiple shapes and sizes of each of the pieces here to guide my way through it all. I wanted to develop a modern architecture that embodies the works of Zaha Hadid, and the incredibly unique architecture located in Dubai today. With this in mind, I played with all the materials to be able to manage a “perfect” shape to be shined through with the light.
Process:
Before anything, I wanted to be aware of all of my options for my inspirations. Therefore, I used the work of google to look into different types of architecture, as well as famous architects that really stood out to me. This is when I realized that I wanted to use more materials than just wood, and go for a much modern effect.
Sketch Ideas:
After sketching what I wanted my board to look like, I then tried to sketch in some pieces that would hopefully help me set it up later on into my final piece a lot faster and efficient. Although it did help me get an idea through, it was not the most efficient way to do it. That was due to the fact that I changed my mind multiple times, and didn't really end up following the design that I had in mind, besides the big blocks. Adding the pieces was challenging because there was always a specific way and place to place everything, but it was challenging to determine what it was. It would take me several minutes to determine if something really belonged in their position. Then, I realized that it needed a little something more that would pull all the different pieces together, so I utilized the artificial flowers for that purpose. They represent trees within the environment. This helped bring my piece together, and also helped it become a lot more realistic environment. It represents our connection today with nature and modernism.
ARTist inspiration:
Mary Stevenson. It shows one of Zaha Hadid's many works. Digital image. The Future of Architecture: Zaha Hadid. FINE Magazine. Web. Apr. 2016. .
For this piece, I knew that I wanted to focused on keeping the structure for the architecture modern. Therefore, I looked into modern architects. The architect that stood out the most for me was Zaha Hadid. She was the first woman to win one of the most prestigious prizes for architecture and that definitely caught my eye as well. When I looked through her works, I noticed the circular patterns along the buildings and it was something that I knew I had to incorporate in some way through my work. In my sketches I tried to involve other materials. Zaha Hadid has a lot of arches and negative space in her work that can't be done with just wood. For my final piece I have created sort of a center piece that the viewer can focus on. This piece has a ton of negative space and consists of a similar shape that you would find in Hadid's architecture. Overall, I tried to create a sculpture that would embody her unique architecture.
CUltural inspiration:
Marija Bojovic. One of Dubai's great architectures. Digital image. Evolo. 2 Apr. 2013. Web. Apr. 2016. .
Modern architecture is not at all difficult to find now a days. You can find a new building or structure right outside your window if you wanted to. However, it is difficult to find architecture like what is found in Dubai. Dubai has several unique buildings that include odd shapes. One thing that stood out the most to me was their use for diagonal buildings. That is why on my board I tried to include blocks that were slanted to a certain direction. Also, Dubai is known for its use of organic shapes within their architecture, and in order for me to achieve those similar shapes, I used metal wire so I can manipulate to become however I want it to look. The connection to Dubai's Architecture and Zaha Hadid's work is very similar, and that helped me greatly when coming up with ideas, so I was never back tracked from either.
Reflection:
This project was a much easier process initially, when planning. However, when it came to putting it together, it was not as easy as "playing with blocks". There were several components that needed to be kept in mind; whether it was the artistic/cultural inspiration, or the design. It was all a matter of, "does this look good?". I feel like I definitely pushed my barriers and didn't focus so much on the symmetry of things. I'm the type of person that likes everything to be the symmetrically aligned. Therefore, I knew that this was going to be the piece in which I could experiment. I actually really liked the results. The different shapes all attract my eyes. There are also a lot of organic shapes that aren't used too often, yet I knew that I had to incorporate them so my piece could be unique. These kinds of project will help me in the later future, through future careers. Also, it can help me today to determine future career choices, or even experimenting with different materials. I also believe that the effect of the light definitely helped create that extra factor that the piece needed. It's almost as if it brought it to life. The amount of light generated through the entire piece is simply amazing and the connection that it made with the metal is more than what I could ask for.