this semester has been a further exploration in geometry and colour that I started at the end of advanced sculpture.
At the end of Advanced Sculpture in the Spring, I began working with geometric forms that had string running through them. The first pieces were 2ft x 2ft wooden cubes with 5 sides and the string went through in a spontaneous and uncalculated pattern. This semester I further explored geometry and colour as I worked on those boxes for my BFA show. I enjoyed calculating the sizes for everything, but cubes are easy so this fall I decided to challenge myself. I made more complicated forms and made metal pieces rather than wood, including steel hexagons and a triangular pyramid. I used different metals for each sculpture as well so I could get experience with different materials.Previously, I have only worked with found objects and wood. Although I didn't get to add string to my first piece, I am getting to remix it in the final project of this semester so I will be able to explore the colour in the hexagonal form like I did in my triangular pyramid.I found this entire semester to be very rewarding as I realized my immense love for sculpture and working with metal.I can’t wait to make more sculptures in the future and use myexperience this semester to continue making geometric, colourful sculptures, hopefully in a larger scale.
Angela bulloch
“Using pixel boxes with glass or plastic fronts, which each contain a light system consisting of red, green, and blue fluorescent tubes capable of generating 16 million colour permutations, she creates ensembles of pulsating coloured cubes that have been described by one critic as Don Judd meeting Dan Flavin. Software enables each pixel box to project abstract colour sequences by encoding cinematic sequences from famous films such as Ran, Blow Up and The Matrix. The colour is never completely severed from the source material and the image is always an abstraction of something concrete. Soundtracks are used where the original sound is appropriate and can be subjected to a reductive operation to filter the acoustic information.” Angela Bulloch was born in Ontario, Canada in 1966 and graduated from Goldsmiths College in 1988 as part of the “freeze” generation of young British artists. Her work was crystallized into a number of distinct but related strands. “The work of Angela Bulloch spans many forms, all of which manifest a fascination with systems, patters, and rules, and the creative territory between mathematics and aesthetics.” She now lives and works in London and Berlin.
I chose Bulloch because her sculptures are minimalist in shape and become pure abstraction through the use of colour. Though they are very different from what I do in appearance, the concept is somewhat similar. She also incorporates other media, such as movies, music, and environmental stimulus (such as viewers walking through the room) to make her works. Many of my favourite contemporary artists find great influence in pop culture and media, so there is no surprise I was drawn to her works. The pieces she makes are abstracted in a new and unique way. Another reason I chose her is because of the cubes (of course).
Her work can relate to our class because her pieces unite elements of architecture, industrial design, new media, and viewer interaction. Of course one connection to what we have made this semester is the inspiration of architecture in our work, as we created pieces based on the PAC. I explained how my own art relates to hers. The design for my final piece is based on my initial design for the PAC, 5 hexagons receding back but on a smaller scale. I will also be incorporating colourful string throughout the piece to create abstraction like I did with my last sculpture as well as the two in my show. Ultimately, since discovering Bulloch I have noticed similarities in our art. The biggest things are the geometric aspect and the colour. I've always enjoyed using both in my work. Not just my sculptures but my paintings and prints as well.
Compression & Expansion
Vortex I - 54 x 54 x 72
I am very happy with the finished product. I am inspired to create more sculptures like this in different compositions to make a series. I love the composition I ended up using for my piece. This is the largest sculpture I have made and it's made me a lot more passionate about creating metal work. I have mostly used wood in my pieces so using metal was a great change. Something I achieved during this project was the realization that things can change during the process of creation even when I start with a solid plan. Sometimes when you least expect it, a new realization can smack you in the face, even just by laying hexagons on the ground to store them. Walking through the PAC and documenting different aspects of the architecture was really helpful and inspiring. I have always loved architecture, so being able to hear from the architect made me notice things I never had before and informed new choices I made for my sculpture. My only intention is for the viewer to enjoy the piece and want to continue looking at it. My sculpture is both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional. Making Vortex I was a great experience. It challenged me in ways I didn't think about and I was introduced to a new method of creating sculpture. I realized I enjoy welding and working with metal, creating large pieces. Branching out from the 2x2 boxes I've been using was a great change of pace. I responded to the architecture, but let the sculpture react to itself as the process of creating was happening. I feel as though doing this project has given me a fresh outlook on creating sculpture and I am excited to create more pieces, expand on the one I have made so far, and possibly continue this as an entire series.
action
I enjoyed creating the mold for my "cube" that didn't end up being a cube. My initial idea was to make a hollow cube and put it inside a cube structure with string running through to suspend it. The action verbs from Richard Serra's list I had in mind were "to suspend," "to stretch," and "of tension." I made a three part mold to make it hollow, which was a cool experience because I had never tried to make a hollow mold before. Once we realized the cube would not end up that way, I decided to have fun with it and add some cool texture to the outside of the form. I had a lot of fun experimenting with the tools and adding textural elements to the cube. I was really excited to pour aluminum in and see the final form. I loved the outcome, but didn't realize how long it would take to get the sand out from inside the cube. I spent almost four hours heating it up and breaking it out, but I was successful. I cut off the excess added a second hole to work on getting the sand out. Once I was finished, I worked on making the base. I changed my plan to a different geometric form and made a 2 foot tall pyramid to suspend the cube in. I cut all the edges for my pyramid and cut each to a 30 degree angle. I welded the base together then welded the rest. I welded the edges thick enough to be able to create the points at the ends. The next step was to grind the pyramid. It took a while to bring the tips to a point, but I enjoyed the process. Then I had to drill holes throughout the base. I realized I should have drilled the holes before welding everything together, but at least now I know that for my next project. Once I drilled all the holes, I grinded the form again then used the drill to make sure the holes didn't have any excess metal in them. The next step was to take my metal home and run yarn through it to suspend the cube within the pyramid. This took a long time, but it was worth it.
I'm very happy with the finished product. I liked the choice to suspend the cube within a pyramid rather than inside another cube. Working with a different metal and shape was a good experience and change of pace from the wood cubes I've been working with for months. I hope the yarn invites people to come closer and investigate the form within the pyramid. Although I ran into a few problems that changed the course of my sculpture, I decided to roll with them like I usually do and I really enjoy the outcome of the piece. I'm glad the cube idea didn't work out and I got to experiment with adding texture to the piece. The one thing I would have done differently is drill the holes into the pyramid before welding it all together. Aside from that, I enjoyed the entire process of creating this piece and am excited to see where it takes my sculptures in the future.
remix / rework / refine
I'm really excited to finish our third and final sculpture of the semester. I'm remixing both of my other sculptures in this last piece. The composition is the same as my compression & expansion project that was inspired by the architecture of the Performing Arts Center. It will comprise of 5 hexagons receding. This piece is made of the same material as our action project. In the next week I will be welding the hexagons and grinding them. Then I will cut more metal to be the base connecting them all on the bottom of each one. Then I'll measure how long to make the pieces connecting the hexagons across the top. After the entire sculpture is built and welded, I will finally run colourful string throughout the piece. I can't wait to see how this turns out!
don't be afraid to challenge yourself
You'll be surprised what you can do when you set your mind to it and even if the final piece doesn't end up the way you wanted it to, you will always learn something new.
get outside opinions on your work
Your fellow art majors will always give you good advice on how you can further improve your pieces, but non-artists can give you feedback your peers may not think of.
eat before class and stay hydrated
No matter what time your class is, make sure to eat something so you can stay focused on making your art rather than thinking about how hungry you are. I didn't learn this until my last semester and it has drastically changed my experience in the studio.