Title: Petal Pieces
Size: 50 x 40 cm Medium: Architectural Model Date of Completion: 3 / 19 / 21 This artwork was designed as a tribute of sorts for Rose Park, and area located around the Harambee neighborhood. The neighborhood has been recently receiving revitalization efforts from numerous people, keeping it relatively lively despite the circumstances. |
Artist Inspiration
My artist inspiration for this project was "Purple Heart Flower" by Bill Furgerer. I was primarily aiming for a flower focus due to the name of the park, and due to the potential of using a flower for my theme. The visible texture in this sculpture is similar to what I want to use for this project. A smooth texture would help represent how well composed the park is and how the surrounding area is working to rebuild itself. The singular hue present in the sculpture can also help tie into the theme that what it is representing is fully formed. Not only that, but the consistency and texture of the sculpture also generates a small effect similar to movement, causing the viewer's eyes to follow along with the structure of the flower.
|
Planning Sketches
For this project, I am going to create a model to be placed within Rose Park, and area located near the Harambee neighborhood. The area has been recently receiving aid and assistance from others in order to make an attempt to revitalize the area. This project would resemble the combined effort in order to meet these goals, as well as serve as a memento for the place itself, using the rose to symbolize this. The petals would contain the names of those who assisted in the revitalization effort on the outside as well as the inside. Individual supporters would be listed on the outside, while a larger group would be listed on an interior petal. The model would be approximately 5x5 meters, while being significantly shorter than the average person. The model would actually be located at the parking lot in front of the Senior Center in the park.
|
Apart from the general model of the environment model, the rose model could be made in a variety of ways. The actual model would be made of marble or a mixed composition of concrete, as standard wood as shown in the artist inspiration would likely be too fragile and easy to sabotage. Wood can however be used for the exterior, where the rose itself is contained.
|
As for the final placement of the model, it will likely be placed in an open area next to the parking lot, while still being relatively in front of the senior center. The walkway next to the fence and the road is likely the best area to place this, as its clearly in view while not being too close to the senior center. Civilians would likely come across it normally taking the sidewalk rather than it being forced near them.
|
Process and Experimentation
References
To start the project, I took one of the provided black boards to use as the base of the model. To begin with the environment, I formed 5 large pieces to serve as the structure for the curbs. This would help separate the base from the curbs, as the contrast between black and white would make them clearly distinguishable. Using small cuts from the wood planks provided, I used them to separate and represent individual parking spaces. Lastly a part was cut out and rounded at the end to represent the median in the center of the parking lot.
|
For the rose itself, a light form of paper was used and wrapped around itself. This would eventually form into multiple layers that would represent the laters on the inside and the outside of the rose. For the exterior, 4 small strips of the wood plank were taped together from the inside out to form the small box for the rose to be placed in. A small amount of cardboard was placed on each side to represent the smaller extra layers.
|
Lastly, I focused on adding small extra details to the model. Trees were added using small plank cutouts and cotton balls to resemble the top of the trees. I also made a partial model of a car in order resemble the difference in height between the tree and a similar car in the parking lot. I also added part of the walkway to the curb, as well as the end of the fence visible in the reference. Lastly, the rose model was placed next to the walkway, in the open space.
|
Reflection
In this project, I think the most that I struggled with was the consistency of the work itself. In order to maintain the stability of the project, glue was used to keep most of the things attached to the model. This method was double edged, as it also meant that if I messed up the angle or measurements, I could not replace them without damaging another part of the model by removing it. It was also difficult attempting to create models using the thin pieces that I cut out, as they were hard to position in a way that would allow them to stand with glue or tape. If tape was used, the model may lean over similar to what is visible in the model. If glue was used, the parts may have fallen apart altogether, which is what happened in some cases. Overall, if I were to repeat this project, I would likely work in larger pieces to prevent the same issues from occurring. Also, using thicker material would allow for more surface area to stick together in order to improve stability on other models, such as the car.
Compare and Contrast
Compare
- The artworks are both modelled after a flower, and created using a singular hue. (Although, this likely would not apply to an actual version of the artwork.)
- The artworks can be connected to a theme involving co-operation or compassion, as well as connections with other people.
- Both are very solid structures, likely to be crafted out of wood or stone-like materials.
Contrast
- Petal pieces would be a considerable larger structure, being multiple times the dimensions of Purple Heart Rose.
- Petal pieces is a local community structure, likely bearing the name of multiple people and groups who aided with the development of the park.
- Purple Heart Rose is a structure comprised entirely of wood. This would likely not apply to Petal Pieces due to stability concerns.
- Petal Pieces is being used in a themes oriented about entire communities in the Harambee neighborhood. Purple Heart Rose would likely only apply specific individuals.
- The artworks are both modelled after a flower, and created using a singular hue. (Although, this likely would not apply to an actual version of the artwork.)
- The artworks can be connected to a theme involving co-operation or compassion, as well as connections with other people.
- Both are very solid structures, likely to be crafted out of wood or stone-like materials.
Contrast
- Petal pieces would be a considerable larger structure, being multiple times the dimensions of Purple Heart Rose.
- Petal pieces is a local community structure, likely bearing the name of multiple people and groups who aided with the development of the park.
- Purple Heart Rose is a structure comprised entirely of wood. This would likely not apply to Petal Pieces due to stability concerns.
- Petal Pieces is being used in a themes oriented about entire communities in the Harambee neighborhood. Purple Heart Rose would likely only apply specific individuals.
ACT Questions
1) Clearly explain and describe how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
My inspiration for this piece caused me to take how it may be interpreted, and apply similar concepts to my own artwork. While the artist may not have meant for their work to be understood in the way that it has been, that does not make it any less important to the viewer. I wanted to create a similar effect through the community, by creating a monument for their work.
2) What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
For the artwork, I took inspiration based on the rose model that it revolves around. The texture and color of the inspiration can be applied to my own work, and can benefit my theme of connections.
3) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
While researching my inspiration, I came to the conclusion that artwork can be interpreted in many different ways, and it's theme can never can never be undoubtedly confirmed unless spoken by the artist themselves. I wanted to experiment the idea of that by creating an artwork that was left to interpretation.
4) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
My research revolved around the recreation or innovation of something, considering that the past year has been relatively taxing on most people and their environments. I wanted to explore with something that was currently recovering from the recent events and making the best of their situation.
5) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
I made the inference that interpretation itself is an important part of the artwork. Inference determines the intention of the artist before they even finish creating their work. It also helps develop theme and meaning into the artwork.
My inspiration for this piece caused me to take how it may be interpreted, and apply similar concepts to my own artwork. While the artist may not have meant for their work to be understood in the way that it has been, that does not make it any less important to the viewer. I wanted to create a similar effect through the community, by creating a monument for their work.
2) What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
For the artwork, I took inspiration based on the rose model that it revolves around. The texture and color of the inspiration can be applied to my own work, and can benefit my theme of connections.
3) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
While researching my inspiration, I came to the conclusion that artwork can be interpreted in many different ways, and it's theme can never can never be undoubtedly confirmed unless spoken by the artist themselves. I wanted to experiment the idea of that by creating an artwork that was left to interpretation.
4) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
My research revolved around the recreation or innovation of something, considering that the past year has been relatively taxing on most people and their environments. I wanted to explore with something that was currently recovering from the recent events and making the best of their situation.
5) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
I made the inference that interpretation itself is an important part of the artwork. Inference determines the intention of the artist before they even finish creating their work. It also helps develop theme and meaning into the artwork.
Bibliography
“Purple Heart Rose by BILL FUGERER.” Accessed March 21, 2021. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/purple-heart-rose-bill-fugerer.html.