Wood, Sticks and more Growth

This week we investigated patterns of growth in something we are interested in. I've always loved wood and everything that's made from wood so I decided to look at tree roots and branches, growth rings in trees and also birds nests because they are mainly made from sticks from trees but are not a natural growth.

We were asked to bring some imagery to class so we could then use our drawings from last week to create three collages that use the same patterns of growth that we have investigated. I found that even though the three things I looked at were all different parts of the tree, they all formed in the same way. They started from a centre point and then grew outwards.

This is what I came up with...

Connections & Growth

This week we were asked to bring in a sheet of material, preferably recycled. I brought in some old cardboard that mum had been using as a cutting mat. We also had to bring in multiples of one material. I brought in some sticky felt pieces that you stick to thee bottom of furniture so it doesn't scratch your floor.

The first warm up we used our sheet of material and divided it into three even pieces, we then made three models, one large and open, one dense and layered and one that was textured and decorative. As I was making the first object I would cut something a certain way and come up with solutions to the second piece, they all flowed into each other.

We then used our multiple items to explore different methods of joining. I tried out four different ways. The first method was threading with a needle and cotton thread, the second was using wire, the third was using the sticky back of the felt pieces and the fourth was cutting out slots and joining them that way. I like the idea of sewing them and I think there is

a lot of potential for variation in sewing, and creating patterns on the felt pieces. Joining them using only their adhesive back didn't work very well as it wasn't a very strong adhesive, I would need to use super glue to make it more permanent, although I like the pattern and the repetition in the diamond like caterpillar.

These are the maquettes from the class:

The largest possible, open, permeable structure.

A dense layered structure

A textured and decorative structure.

These are the maquettes that explored joining methods:

Cotton thread.

Wire.

Adhesive.

Slots.

We then drew sketches of the materials and further explored the ways we could bind the material using the same binding device just in different ways. The sketch I like the most is the one with the little squares, but when I was actually joining them it was my least favorite. Next week we are going to try out all the methods we sketched out with the same materials.

Drawing Sounds, Maps & making Maquettes

This week we started the class off by listening to some music and drawing the sounds (or dancing with out hands whilst holding drawing tools). This is something I have been interested in for so long! The results that I got from the exercise I was thoroughly impressed by. The

y were these abstract, spontaneous drawings! We were encouraged to

use a range of different mediums, including watercolour, which really enhanced the drawings and layered them up, which was similar to what the music sounded like. So we made all these beautiful sound drawings, then we CUT THEM UP. Yes, it was very sa

d, but we used them to create three collages, based around three words we thought described our pieces. My words were: clustered, intricate and sporadic.

After creating these collages we used photocopies of them to make six maquettes. The purpose of making these maquettes was to explore different ways of cutting, folding, and using other techniques to make the surfaces 3D.

We then used the most successful methods of creating a 3D object to create one final piece. I felt that folding things was a really good way to make them 3D and also created this nice little pattern across the surface too when you to excess folding. So for the last object I just cut out the collages and only folded them, then placed them together using a bit of glue. I think I have been watching too many alien movies.

During this class we were introduced to the concept of mapping your thoughts and practices. Here is my map of this weeks class, Its actually quite handy to know exactly what went though my mind while I was creating things. Although this is just a mind map of what I remember thinking and doing, I think it would be far better if it's done as your working.

Flinders Lane

This week we had a little excursion to Flinders Lane, to look and observe the things around us. I took lots of photos and did lots of little sketches. At first I was drawn to the alley ways, the dark corners, the rust and grime, street art. As I moved throughout the space I started to notice other things too, like the copious amount of bike in the lane, chained up to bike posts, wheels all tangled up in each other. So I created four postcards that depict, in a rather abstract way,Melbourne's love for bikes!

Crowns & Shoes

This is my shoe! Transformed into a necklace. I really like the way it flows around the body and hangs low. In this piece I tried to contrast man made using bits of rubber and metal with the natural environment, using the leather from the shoe to create this animal like creature which is kind of spewing out a tree formation. The way it winds around is meant to narrate the constant struggle between the natural world and the man made world, in a necklace.

I've also completed the crown jewels headpiece, made from a collection of small pieces and held together with sticks, wire and mini pegs (and of course super glue too!)