Three-Dimensional Work

An exploration of navigating design within a three-dimensional space, utilizing knowledge of the elements and principles of art and design, and learning how to work with new materials.

1. Wood: Abstract Self-Portrait

The purpose of this project was to create a version of a self-portrait, using wood as the material.

In order to create an abstract self-portrait of myself, I decided to reflect on the sorts of activities and adventures that I love and that have shaped my entire upbringing: nature. More specifically, I wanted to showcase my love for the Appalachian mountains and the flora and fauna that comes with it. The mountains and their specific nature have many impacts on my life, both through familial adventures and self-love of trail running. In a way, my project holds both representational and narrative importance for me.

I decided to use larger dimensions for my flower box to be able to plant or grow multiple plants (height of 9 inches, x length of 9 inches, y length of 18 inches). I cut down ½ in thick pieces in these dimensions, attached a bottom piece, and assembled the five pieces with wood glue and a brad nail gun. Along the sides of the flower box, I decided to create a stack lamination effect with mountain ranges. I studied pictures of the Appalachian range: these mountains are much more worn down and curvy than ranges out west, for example. I then cut several ¼ in thick pieces at different dimensions, rising above the box’s 9 in height, or below it. Next, I mapped out different layers of mountain ranges, some mountains dipping down under others. I used a band saw to create these curved lines. After sanding all these pieces, I chose four different stain colors to create contrast between the ranges. I used colonial maple for the box itself and the top layers, then gunstock, then dark walnut, and then ebony. From the bottom to the top, I went from a dark to a light gradient, like how a mountain range would look like from afar. After staining these pieces, I used wood glue and a brad nail gun to assemble them onto the box and onto each other. To keep consistency with the soft edges of the Appalachian mountains, I sanded all sharp corners down. My final project serves both functional and representational/artistic purposes.

“Our Slice of Appalachia”, wood, stain, various industrial wood saws, 9” x 9” x 18”.

2. Wire: Binary Relationship

The purpose of this project was to work with wire to create a statement about a binary relationship. In this instance, I chose to focus on the relationship between a tree and a book. I utilized sautering techniques and also wrapped the wire around bases, using different line weights and lengths. I think that this use of differing line weights really added depth and separation in my project, on the tree side. I also like the way the tree moves its branches to create the shape of the book frame; I used braided wire pieces to create a separation between the book and the tree. As I went along with the creation progress, I decided to go with a more abstract depiction of the tree and book. By using curvilinear lines to create depth within the branches, I created a sense of movement, depth, and volume.

Furthermore, I wanted to create a certain sense of irony within my piece, that would also help establish the boundaries and overlaps of the binary relationship. So, I determined that I want to contrast the art of nature and the art of human activity, through the mechanism of poetry. I am interested in and enjoy reading transcendentalist poetry, like Whitman, Emerson, and Thoreau. However, I found it slightly ironic and interesting that the relationship between the subject of their poetry and the outcomes of their publications is very complex. Trees within nature are something that frequents the poetry of such writers; but trees also are used to make the paper that the words are created on, in both publication and creation processes. I wanted to explore the naturalistic dualism that occurs in this relationship between nature and poetry. Not only are trees a subject of the writing, but are also a medium of spreading throughout the world (on paper). Poets like Emerson are therefore creating both positive and negative impacts on the environment: deforestation is a large issue today within the natural environment, and the use of paper for publication in books is a factor that affects this process. But, the transcendentalist poets also create positive images and concepts about the natural world, that many humans over the years have read and grasped. Humans make use of the world to create, in this instance. Thus, the quote from Emerson: “Build therefore your own world”, is extremely pertinent. I wanted to explore the lines of how human creativity, like poetry, impacts the world, both natural and ideological, in multiple ways. And, how the natural world influences, impacts, and inspires this creativity.

“Origins I”, wire, sauter, flux, blow torch, 15” x 12”.