LARGE AND LONG :: small and tiny

“Large and Long is to Small and Tiny” is an explorative project about nature and our environment.  Its dimensions span 12’ H x 12” W x 10” D.  It is made up of CVP pipes for the internal structure and black satin ribbon for the exterior.  For this project I was trying to show 2 different elements of nature that I explored throughout the quarter. 

The first concept was the asymmetrical forms that are created by nature versus the symmetrical forms created by mankind.  I found that asymmetry in nature required a process to be created and evolved out of organic events.  (More detailed descriptions of these thoughts are located on my “Step 1 Final Project Blog)  For this Final Project I really wanted to highlight this organic nature of asymmetry by using the internal structure of my form.

The second idea I wanted to convey during this project was more of a conceptual approach referring to the “micro creating the macro” (More detailed descriptions of these thoughts are also located on my “Step 1 Final Project Blog”). 

While observing nature I realized that the micro is responsible for creating the macro which creates the forms we call nature.  This dichotomy is represented in the title and the use of individual ribbons to form the macro of the triangular surface.

This project was a huge undertaking and challenge for me.  I have never worked in such a large scale and have little knowledge of how to actually construct form using tools….I tend to be more of a scissor/construction paper kinda gal. 

The process of this project required me to test my mental boundaries as well as my faith in my ability to construct something of my mind that was difficult to explain to others.  I am proud of myself for my presentence and perseverance.  I was glad that the end result combined the two concepts I was trying to convey.  The project definitely made me more interested in working with large scale again sometime.

Stage 2 of Final Project Process

This was my internal structure of the form I created.  I used CVP pipe, hanging wire, 45 degree elbow braces, nuts, and bolts to create the design.  I made two asymmetrical triangles and connected them at the bottom of the form.  The top was separated by an 11 inch rod of screw threads to add a 3D element to the form. 

I used 5 pipes each at 12' long.  The two shorter sides where cut at 5' and 6' while the longest side was left at its original 12' length.  The corner was secured together with a 45 degree elbow brace, PCP pipe glue, and hanging wire to help maintain the tension.

For each connection point, I drilled holes (32 holes in total) in the CVP pipes and used screws with 2 nuts on each side of the pipe to stabilize the form.  I tightened the screws to create the bowed effect.  I would have liked for the bow to be more exaggerated but the tension was too great that the more I bowed the pipe the more it tried to bow back out creating an "S" form instead of an arch.

I spent a lot of time taking the form apart and putting the form back together to create an asymmetrical design that felt organic and unusual.  I was surprised to see how the form could change so drastically depending on the angle degrees, its orientation as vertical or horizontal, as well as if the form was hanging on lying on the ground.

These three photos show how I incorporated my conceptual idea into this abstract form.  As I mentioned in the previous blog, I was really inspired by the micro creating the macro and I knew I wanted to cover the form using this idea.

I used 90 yards of black Satin ribbon to French braid around the poles to create the micro detailing.  Gravity, slippery ribbon, time, and the arch all become problems hindering my craftsmanship.  It turns out that a braid does not work well when constantly required to shrink and expand in width to cover the arch/ triangle form. I also wanted to highlight the 3D design element of the separate triangles that came together at the bottom requiring a six-braid as I approached the poles tied together.  In order to make the craftsmanship as smooth as possible, I tried multiple techniques to stabilize the ribbon from falling.  I tired sewing each ribbon individually, lightly gluing the ribbon to the pole, using scotch tape as a fastener, as well as increasing the tension of the braid.  None of these techniques sufficed because when you adjust one stand, the whole braid is affected creating tension and problems in another area.  The whole braiding process took a total of 30 hours over the course of 3 days in an effort to finish the project in a timely manner. 

With all of the frustrations that were caused, I wish I could say that I am happy with the result but the flaws of the braid are really evident to my perfectionist eye; however, I am proud of myself for sticking with the process despite the heartache is caused.  With more time, 3 pairs of hands, and the fact that I learned from my hardships, I think I could have accomplished the final result I was striving for.

I do believe that the braid emphasized the conceptual approach I was trying to show in this piece.  From a distance the black satin looks like black paneling (a macro image) but the detailing up close is very different from a solid panel of fabric (the micro element) highlighting the symbiotic relationship of the two ideas.

Stage 1 of Final Project

This was my original photo that became my inspiration for my final project.  I was really drawn to the asymmetric design of this weed.  I was also inspired by the little twigs that make up this weed. 

In my mind this weed was the epitome of nature.  It represented the micro creating the macro within an environment.  The whole weed bush was taking over the lawn so each weed then became the micro creating the macro of the bush.  Throughout the quarter I decided that the layers of micro creating macro creating more micro creating larger macro was really interesting to me and this was the conceptual approach I for this project.

This was my sketch of my project idea on tracing paper.  I placed the tracing paper on-top of my photo and used an exaggerated asymmetrical design to abstract the form of the weed.  My original plan was to create this arch that a person could stand under as drawn in the top right hand side of the picture.  Although ambitious, and a far-cry from the final project, I knew above all I wanted to create an asymmetrical design. 

 Asymmetry is something found throughout nature and not necessarily found in man-made objects.  Asymmetrical designs feel very organic to me when created in a subtle, almost unintentional manner.  It requires an evolutionary process to create a flow that is pleasing to the eye.  An inherent concern with asymmetrical designs is that they will appear unbalanced and create an uneasy feeling for the viewer.  This was a pitfall I was conscious not to fall into.

Tracing Paper Sketches

These tracing paper sketches show other possible ideas for my final project as we explored the process of abstracting form.  The inspiration photo is placed under the sketch to show how my forms began to take on abstract shapes.

As part of an in-class exercise, we placed tracing paper on top of our photos tracing the form created by nature through our photos.  We then took the form and abstracted it to create a nonrepresentational rendering of the object in nature.

I found this process rather therapeutic and something that sounded insane but that actually made a lot of sense.  It is a great strategy to use as inspiration for future art projects.

2 Form Sketches

6 Micro Images

2 Negative Forms