Exhibition Text: For this Mixed Media piece I used found objects to create my final piece. I used the objects in different combinations to test the different meanings that the materials present in that given scenario or setup. My found objects were recyclable materials to create different structures, patterns, and in general create different combinations to create a meaning between the relationship of the materials and the environment.
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Artistic Inspiration: My artistic inspiration for this mixed media piece is Tony Cragg, and his found object piece called "Stack", along with another found object piece called "Axehead". He used natural objects not intended as art, but create art with it because it had aesthetic value. He used a numerous variety of objects and created a solid block of those objects. He used wood, concrete, brick, metal, plastic, textile, cardboard and paper throughout this block. "Cragg has said that he refuses to distinguish between the landscape and the city, adding that man-made objects are 'fossilized keys to a past time which is our present"(Cragg).
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Citations:
"Tony Cragg, 'Stack' 1975." Tate. Web. 05 Apr. 2016. <http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/cragg-stack-t07428>.
"Tony Cragg, 'Axehead' 1982." Tate. Web. 05 Apr. 2016. <http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/cragg-axehead-t03791>.
"Tony Cragg, 'Stack' 1975." Tate. Web. 05 Apr. 2016. <http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/tony-cragg-953>.
"Tony Cragg, 'Stack' 1975." Tate. Web. 05 Apr. 2016. <http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/cragg-stack-t07428>.
"Tony Cragg, 'Axehead' 1982." Tate. Web. 05 Apr. 2016. <http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/cragg-axehead-t03791>.
"Tony Cragg, 'Stack' 1975." Tate. Web. 05 Apr. 2016. <http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/tony-cragg-953>.
Process:
My two sketches shown above are what I based the ideas of my Mixed Media piece on. I wanted to incorporate the use of recycled materials because one they are materials that are easily accessible, but two I wanted to create meaning behind the process of recycling materials and how it's beneficial in the fact that it produces a new recycled product. The sketch above and to the left is a structural model of what I wanted to do, and it's the method that I wanted to specifically focus on. I believe that it allowed for more challenges and provided a more unique meaning than just organizing the materials. The sketch above and to the right would be where the recycled materials would be organized and represent the different forms and components of each recycled material still create the same thing. That creation is a new product that can later on be recycled. Recycling follows a consistent cycle of production with the materials that are given, and considered recyclable.
First off, in order to work on my possible structures and plans from my sketches I needed to collect recycled materials. I used many different recyclable materials which included glass bottles, soda bottles, cardboard boxes, plastic, coffee grounds containers, and water bottles. I used this variety to demonstrate how there are several different materials and products that can be recycled to produce something new that later on can be recycled. It just helps reduce pollution and makes the world more eco-friendly. This allows a beneficial aspect to everyone. The image to the right is my final product, and it was a structural challenge to test which materials could support the weight of the other materials. The coffee containers allowed for a good, solid base for structural support. The cardboard also provided a balanced, flat surface to keep the building go smoothly. The cardboard allowed for the four glass bottles to support the weight equally that was on the top of it. The structural design for this was not trial and error, but more of architectural skill, and simply weight distribution throughout the structure. Making this structure was challenging but yet fun at the same time. The main focus that I had throughout the creation of the structure was the shape and overall form and design, and also the color which I wanted to be neutral to keep an overall fair balance between the recycled materials.
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Meaning of the Piece:
The meaning of the piece is how recycled products can create a new recycled product, which helps keep the nation clean and more eco-friendly. This also helps reduce the amount of pollution too.
The meaning of the piece is how recycled products can create a new recycled product, which helps keep the nation clean and more eco-friendly. This also helps reduce the amount of pollution too.
Reflection:
Overall this mixed media piece was successful because I was able to effectively create a product that resulted in a clear and cohesive meaning. I specifically liked how I was able to connect my piece and my understanding of Mixed Media to the world and how we recycle objects. I liked the overall shape and form that I built for the structural aspect that I focused on as my final product. I liked also how it became more of a sculpture and the meaning behind it allows for those connections to occur. One of the challenging parts of the structural shape was the balance of weight distribution because of the different materials in all of the recycled materials along with how the structural aspect needed a base that is strong to withstand the weight. This allowed for the most effective and beneficial structural support.
Overall this mixed media piece was successful because I was able to effectively create a product that resulted in a clear and cohesive meaning. I specifically liked how I was able to connect my piece and my understanding of Mixed Media to the world and how we recycle objects. I liked the overall shape and form that I built for the structural aspect that I focused on as my final product. I liked also how it became more of a sculpture and the meaning behind it allows for those connections to occur. One of the challenging parts of the structural shape was the balance of weight distribution because of the different materials in all of the recycled materials along with how the structural aspect needed a base that is strong to withstand the weight. This allowed for the most effective and beneficial structural support.