Sculpture 2 Write up.

Having now completed my second sculpture i'm hoping that i can begin making a mold in the coming week. My first sculpture's shape had too many negative spaces so casting would have required numerous molds which complicates the whole process. The second sculpture has a more basic shape and is in a standing pose with arms folded. Looking back i should have paid a bit more attention to the proportions of the human body. The abdominal area of the sculpture is a bit elongated, I hope it doesn't take away from the piece. Maybe it's just my style of sculpture, reminds me of Alberto Giacometti's sculptures. They tend to be elongated and shadowy looking, his famous walking man sculpture is very inspiring. It is such a simple concept that he caught in the right light so to say. Must attempt to find a book on his works in the library.

Sculpture 2

Sketchbook/Doodles

First Sculpture

Catch up!!

Have spent the past week sculpting bodies for casting. Ran into trouble with my fetal position sculpture. It turns out that I cant cast it because of its shape! Working on a new model at the moment.

Had an idea to model my sculpture on a fat person instead of a lean person. I think that it will look more interesting and catch peoples attention better. Need to begin looking for reference pics and I have to find a suitable body position for casting.

Looking at casting the bodies in silicone or something squishy like that so I can stuff them into a confined space and see how they change in shape.

Moved on!

Moved on from the idea of doing a 2d version of being trapped in an emotional space. I'm now working on 3d ideas for physical entrapment. One idea is to make what is known as a 'stack' out of my favorite things. Stacks show what items would look like when they are trapped in a physical space but with the space removed. Tony Cragg is a fantastic sculptor that has made many stacks out of abstract objects.
I had a few different groups of items that i could use. Here they are:

• Broken technology
• Old art supplies
• Clothes
• Mechanical
• School

Also had an idea which involves stuffing a shoe or clothes in a clear container to show how they would look when they are confined within a tight space. Need to find a container that is clear and thick enough to withstand the pressure of forcing items into it.

I'm hoping that these ideas will help me better understand how objects react when trapped in a space.

Semester 1, Week 4

• Began work on a photography/photoshop project. Have done basic sketches showing the layout. Need to find out if i need  a permit/permission to photograph busy streets in Limerick. I also need to make a guide sticker for the camera lens/screen to get the pictures at the right angle and to the right scale.
• Have been reseaching blending and blurring on photoshop this week. Blending seems to be the easier of the two but is probably the more important tool for this project.
• Have tried other ideas for trapped in a space such as 'animals trapped in spaces'. I like this idea because all of my other ideas involve humans. My idea is to investigate caged animals, not just captured ones but zoo animals and pets also. Who knows if they are happy, do they feel trapped? Polly Morgan is a great taxidermist that I found. I've been researching her work looking for ideas.
• Looked at physical space inside my head. I did a sketch of a face that shows the skull beneath. Could be a great peice if done properly.

Thats all for now, will get more pic's up soon!

Sketch book pics

1. Screaming. Part of my trapped in an emotional space idea.

2. In chains. Physically trapped in a space. Prisoner in a cell.

Young boy. Back to the emotional space. The boy may be abused or have troubles at home.

Statement

We were asked to write a short paragraph that shows what we want our work to represent. Here's how my first one went;
I want to show how a person can feel trapped and alone, even when they are surrounded by other people. I want to create a non-existent or imaginary space to represent the emotional space that the person feels trapped within. To do this i will use a sort of glass case, or bubble that surrounds the person. This allows the viewer to see the person but lets them know they are trapped inside. This space will be surrounded by people but no-one will see it or notice it.

Ok, just to recap on the last few weeks:

Semester 1, Week 1.

• 1st day in studio. Beginning work on brief 'to sense my space'.
• General ideas; Trapped in a space, Contrasting positive and negative space and how objects affect a space.
• Beginning sketches for 'Trapped in a space'
• First page; Man in fetal position in corner of room.
• Using a dim light source to cast dark shadows over him.
• Open to sculpture or paint/print.
• Space used; Cell, cage or padded room. This implies that the man is a prisoner within the space.
• Tried another version with the man reaching out to the viewer. Does not work as well.
• Second page; Still using trapped in a space idea.
• Trying to show how you can be trapped in an emotional space.
• Using a sort of glass case to represent the imaginary emotional space.
• Looking into 3d full body versions.  
• Looking for contextual pictures for body shape reference, etc.

Semester 1, Week 2.

• Beginning research to backup my sketches. Looking for:
• Models for body shape. (Fetal position, Screaming face)
• Dark cells for space.
• Color styles, basic colors, black and shadowy.
• New idea for full body trapped in glass; Body feels trapped, the rest of the world keeps passing by. Could be represented by the body trapped in a 'glass case' trying to attract the attention of the passers-by.  Ideal location; busy street, people coming to and from work. Other people could be shown as human like blurs to represent their movement. 
• Photoshop would be perfect for this. Would need to construct a space, find a model and either edit the street in from a different picture or actually put the model on the street.
• Have tried other versions of the emotional space in sketch book. Hand reaching out works well if done correctly. Thinking of a bi-color print for the screaming face, already have a basic line version done.

Hello! Starting my blog for my first year in Limerick School of Art and Design. Hoping to give weekly updates as i work on my brief; 'To sense my space'. Hopefully will include pictures as much as i can :)