Cait Pollard's profile

Approaches: Form (3D Fabrication)

Final Sculpture
wood, wire, yarn; 2' x 2', 2019
Description: My final sculpture follows my prototype pretty closely in both concept and appearance. I wanted to highlight the contrast between the rigid, flat, wooden structure and the lively, dynamic yarn piece. I wanted the yarn to be moving at all different angles so it can appear as three-dimensional as possible from any vantage point. The idea was that if the wooden structure was invisible, the yarn wouldn't be seen as conforming to some extremely flat parameters.The yarn component definitely worked a lot better here than it did in my prototype since it has wire inside to support it. This is crucial because without the wire holding it up, the yarn becomes limp and looks just as flat as the wooden structure. 

Critique Notes/Insights: I really appreciated the feedback I got from the class during the critique. A lot of people had different interpretations and things my sculpture reminded them of, like a haunted house or mist moving through the trees. I definitely wanted it to have a slight spooky vibe, so I'm glad that was picked up on. There were a few people who said that the sculpture seemed very alive, and this was another element that I was trying to establish with the previously mentioned contrast between the wood and yarn.

Process Images:
Exercise 3: Prototype 
Styrofoam, toothpicks, yarn; 1' x 1', 2019
Description: For my prototype, I wanted to combine a very flat structure with a much more dimensional component to emphasize the difference between the two. Chaos exists throughout the piece in different ways. The shapes in the flat structure are random and mismatched, while the snaking yarn moves throughout the piece on its own terms. I used varying sizes of foam scraps to form the flat structure by joining them to create many triangles and a few other geometric shapes as well. I wanted the dimensional component to be much more organic and rounded than the harsh angles of the flat structure, so I used a thick, fluffy yarn material to snake through the triangles of the structure. 

Using the foam pieces to create the main structure worked very well for me and I think it's pretty similar to how I want my final project to turn out. The yarn, however, didn't quite turn out how I wanted it to. Since I want this dimensional component to have a greater sense of movement and variety, I wanted it to extend beyond the structure more than it currently does in the prototype. Ideally, it'd be much more supported and less floppy, so that will be something I'll have to engage with in the final. 

Critique Notes/Insights: During the class critique, my prototype was met with feedback that for the most part, caught the details I was intentionally including in the piece. A couple of classmates pointed out the structure and chaos within the prototype, which is something I definitely wanted to translate in the two main elements of the piece. Someone noted the contrast between the round and square/triangular shapes, another distinction I tried to achieve between rigidity and fluidity. Many people also acknowledged the supports that were attached to one side of the base, and while these weren't intentional and were instituted as a necessity to keep the piece standing, they actually seemed to be met positively. The supports were coming off the floor at an angle instead of laying flat (again, unintentional), but people liked them that way and said it brought more interest to the piece than it would have had otherwise. 

Process Image:
Exercise 2: Sketches
Description: I'm leaning towards #5 and #10 for my sketch ideas. #5 would be a hexagon set made of wooden outlines for each shape with a bundle of string or wire snaking through the shapes. The hexagon structure would be a flat surface, with a greater sense of dimensional space being exhibited in the way the bundle of string/wire contorts in various angles through the structure. #10 would consist of two wooden staircase-like structures. Each structure would have a slight angular shift in direction and be connected by various threads of string in between the two. 

In #5, order would be represented in the way the hexagonal structure is very sturdy and consistent, while the bundle of string would be representative of chaos since it follows no set pattern and seeks to challenge the hexagonal structure. In #10, order would be derived from the "staircase" structures, since staircases are typically seen as an organized path, designated for guiding people between spaces. The chaos would be shown in the various strings that connect the two structures since they lack a specific rhythm. They'd show how the structures have little to unify them, creating unease. 
Exercise 1: Rapid Prototype
Styrofoam, wooden skewer; 7" x 1', 2019
Description: I was aiming to accomplish an abstract sort of Christmas tree for this piece. Initially, the tree was going to be much flatter in dimension with all the pieces laying straight and congruent to each other, however, I chose to rotate them each at various angles to create a more dynamic sculpture. This sculpture explores both elements of order and chaos in the structure and setup of the foam pieces. There is chaos in the way each piece is a differing length and arranged precariously, challenging any notion of stability, creating a sense of tension. Order manifests itself in the way that the pieces follow a general, albeit not exact, pattern: they gradually get smaller as they get closer to the top. Although the structure seems unsteady, it still remains standing. 

Critique Notes/Insights: This piece was met with feedback quite accurate to my intentions for it. Many of my classmates said it reminded them of a Christmas tree, which was exactly what I was going for. One of them noted that it had a very organic and natural feeling that would be portrayed no matter the color of the foam pieces. Another pointed out that it felt very balanced and even.
Approaches: Form (3D Fabrication)
Published:

Approaches: Form (3D Fabrication)

Published:

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