Organic vs. Industrial
Exhibition Text:
In order to create this piece I used a variation of wires to create structure and an industrial look within this piece. I wished to incorporate the idea of value towards animals (and their organic value) and its loss over time. I was inspired by the work of Alexander Calder to use wire materials and the value of horses significantly expressed through Native American culture. I wanted to express an idea of loss and unappreciation for the valuable forms of life in our world.
Process and BrainstormingThe first steps I took in creating my organic vs. industrial piece was to brainstorm a list of ideas and materials I would use for this piece. I began to construct an image of what I wanted my piece to look like but needed some artistic inspiration to help me make a conclusion. After some research I came across Alexander Calder a sculptor who gave me the idea to use wire as my medium. Looking through his work I discovered some interesting pieces and after further analyzing his work I constructed similar ideas for my piece.
|
Planning Sketches
With these sketches I wanted to use an animal as a symbol. Knowing I would use wire for my structure I decided to include sketches which would not require much detail.
|
Materials
|
Meaning of the PieceThe meaning of this piece connected to the theme of the loss of value over time. The hand wrapped in wire is what inspired the title of the piece; given to display the ideas of value and its loss that are enclosed by the real world. The horse is meant to display an animal that I have always been around and respected and the skulls represent the dying or loss of value towards them. I came across this idea by learning about the culture of Native Americans in many of my other classes in which I learned about the deep respect Native Americans have towards nature and animals. While thinking of this I realized that many people to this day evidently do not value nature and specifically animals such as horses who have been beneficial to our lives. Horses have been able to help make our lives easier and show an amount of loyalty to us humans, which is easily forgotten.
|
Experimenting/Developing Ideas
After deciding on a sketch and idea I began to experiment with the use of wire. Looking through Alexander Calder's work I thought of what wire would be best to use and how I would give the piece structure. After several trials I recognized that I would have to make my wired horse 2D because I could not create form with such strong wire. While creating my horse I shaped an outline as best I could which was much more difficult than expected. It was hard to bend the wire exactly where you wanted it to give it a desirable shape that would stay in place. Once finished I began to work on wrapping a hand with wire. I had originally planned to make a tree out of wire but it had just resulted in a weak structure. While constructing the wire hand I had to use a lot of wire and tight wrapping which was also not easy. Once done I had moved my materials in many different ways exploring the use of light and placement. I wanted to give it a dark meaning which lead me to experiment with the use of light and the placement of objects. I played with the contrast, brightness, and the exposure of light. I had wanted to give it a dark look to connect to the theme but figured the more exposure it had to light the better the final outcome looked. After several pictures and the variety of value I finally concluded my piece.
|
|
Artistic Inspiration
Alexander Calder was one of the inspirations for my piece. I initially had the idea to construct my organic vs. industrial piece out of wire because it was a medium that would bend and stay in shape. While researching wire sculptures I came across Alexander Calder who redefined sculpture by introducing the aspect of movement in his work. Although famously known for creating his mechanical piece named “Calder's Circus” he also created life sized sculptures, paintings, and costumes. It is commonly seen that artists make line drawings on paper, but Calder was one of the first artists to make three-dimensional line “drawings” of people and animals. While evaluating his animal sculptures I narrowed down my ideas and focused on creating an animal as well. Calder’s use of this medium also inspired me to construct my piece out of wire as well incorporating his use of movement and stability.
While further thinking on an animal to choose I took into consideration an animal I had former knowledge on, and an animal that would display a sense of movement. Taking this into consideration, I decided to make my wire sculpture of a horse. Growing up I spent a lot of time around horses and developed a fascination for them. My dad introduced me to horses at a young age inspiring me to pick this horse for this piece. However, when thinking of the value of horses I immediately connected this concept to Native American culture. A horse holds many symbols such as travel, beauty, freedom, and movement. Moreover, Native Americans were enchanted by these animals and viewed them as spiritual and mythical creatures. Native American tribes respected horses training them and being mindful of their role in the spiritual world. They helped them survive, introducing a great significance and value for the animal. The value of horses in Native American culture inspired me to use this animal as a form of survival and movement. |
Alexander Calder, "Vache(Cow)", Web. 21 Feb. 2017.
Crista Forest, "Native American War Horse", Web. 24 Feb. 2017.
"Wild Horses." The Impact of Wild Horses on the Native American People. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.
Greenfeld, Howard, and Alexander Calder. The essential Alexander Calder. New York, NY: Wonderland Press, 2003. Print. |
Reflection
This piece did not turn out as I had expected it to. I had envisioned a piece that had more form and that involved more of an industrial look. I originally had thought that it would have been less difficult to create a piece out of wire but it was not as easy as it seemed. I had a difficult time bending and keeping the wire in place. After realizing that I was running out of wire I thought it would be best to just make the horse two dimensional instead. Alexander Calder's work had inspired me to seek this form through wire, however, I had not effectively created form as he had. On the other hand I was also inspired by Native American culture specifically relating to their value of horses. I think my piece effectively demonstrated this thought of value and its loss through the use of symbols.
Connection to the ACT:
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your work.
My inspiration lead me to incorporate the use of wire and connect to the value of horses in Native American culture.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach from these authors was to create movement and value through the use of animals in art.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspirations?
The conclusions I discovered about Native American culture through my research is their deep appreciation for nature and animals.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea was to explore the decreasing value and interests in animals seen in many cultures around the world.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your
research?
The inference I made while researching the importance of horses is that generally horses are now seen as an object and not cherished for their ability to help or their loyalty presented.
My inspiration lead me to incorporate the use of wire and connect to the value of horses in Native American culture.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach from these authors was to create movement and value through the use of animals in art.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspirations?
The conclusions I discovered about Native American culture through my research is their deep appreciation for nature and animals.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea was to explore the decreasing value and interests in animals seen in many cultures around the world.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your
research?
The inference I made while researching the importance of horses is that generally horses are now seen as an object and not cherished for their ability to help or their loyalty presented.