UWM ARTS ECO PROGRAM - Makin’ it Real! Turning 3D Ideas into Models and Proposals
Nationally known public artist (and UWM Art instructor) kathryn e. martin lead aspiring artists and designers on the path
from concept to proposal, turning ideas into drawings and scale models using a range of media and techniques. This intro
level 3D course was designed to help high students build confidence and gain photo-documented projects for college portfolios.
INSTRUCTOR : kathryn e. martin, [email protected]
Given Objective:
You are asked to submit a design proposal for building a sculpture along the Oak Leaf Trail (from Prospect Ave. bridge to Farwell Ave. Bridge)
from concept to proposal, turning ideas into drawings and scale models using a range of media and techniques. This intro
level 3D course was designed to help high students build confidence and gain photo-documented projects for college portfolios.
INSTRUCTOR : kathryn e. martin, [email protected]
Given Objective:
You are asked to submit a design proposal for building a sculpture along the Oak Leaf Trail (from Prospect Ave. bridge to Farwell Ave. Bridge)
Critical Investigation
Artist Inspiration:
Emery Blagdon The source of Emery Blagdon's creations came from a very traumatizing personal tragedy. Blagdon had watched as cancer consumed both his parents slowly. In his haste, he developed sculptures and paintings in order to save his parents. These sculptures and paintings were not intended to be pieces of art. Instead, they were machines whose function was to heal. He believed that his machines could channel curative currents of electricity that flowed through the earth and would relieve people of their various ailments, including the cancer within his parents. In order to help collect and contain this electricity within his tiny shed, he painted abstract signs. These he may have considered to be conductors and receivers of the electricity. On placed them on the bottom of the floorboards, which the curators turned over to reveal what had been hidden out of necessity for years. With his sculptures, he created complex assemblages of found objects and bent wires that created intricate shapes. Blagdon constructed wire armatures and attached a variety of things to them, including tin foil, jars filled with variously colored material and brightly colored beads. In some cases he wrapped wood armatures with copper wire and affixed cut tin foil to them with nails. He made other objects that resembled mobiles, with various linear elements hanging from a horizontal armature, attached to the ceiling by wire. He hung various amounts of these sculptures in hope to gather as much of this energy to cure illnesses. Although it wasn’t Blagdon’s intention, a number of pieces in which he limited himself to wire and wire-like structures functioned like drawings in space. It contained a repetitive pattern and sort of scribble to the organic shape itself. |
“AN ENCOUNTER WITH PRESENCE: EMERY BLAGDON 360°.” Youtube.com, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, 17 May 2017, youtu.be/avnvQLAcqMM. Accessed 8 Sept. 2017.
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Planning and Journaling
Chosen Site: Prospect Bridge
Underneath the Prospect bridge, I planned to suspend the wind chimes. Some of these would be long enough for people to touch and ring.. Here there were measurements taken to scale for the model later.
Underneath the Prospect bridge, I planned to suspend the wind chimes. Some of these would be long enough for people to touch and ring.. Here there were measurements taken to scale for the model later.
Sketches:
Process:
Reflecting
This was a process that took a lot longer than I thought it would. I learned about taking scale into consideration, as well as human interaction. I also had to understand how to use space. It was very interesting, and I really enjoyed doing this kind of work.
Critique
The visual components of color between my piece and Blagdon are similar to one another in a sense that it takes colors from its surroundings and complements the earthy tones. The forms of my chimes are free flowing as they blow in the wind. They are reminiscent of the elegant curves that mimic Blagdon's cluster of objects that move around and hang. The three-dimensional figures use line, shape, and space to give the viewer a sense of texture and create an experience.
The pieces both carry the same weight if it were to be cut down the middle, giving it a sense of balance, rhythm and unity between the space and the pieces themselves. The sense of rhythm is created by the individual pieces used to create the sculptures. There is a variety of materials used and organized in a sensical and abstract way. By the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art cause a visual tempo or beat that others are supposed to experience. The works put emphasis on the experience as opposed to on itself.
The color within both works are different in the sense of color scheme. Blagdon had used more metallic colors and colors that resonated with the electricity in the earth, With the creation of the actual work into the site, the colors used are to blend and dull out in their surroundings to not distract from the natural element of nature, and instead just heighten the experience. The line work , as well as the overall shape is a lot more simplified in mine compared to Blagdon's. This is because there is a lot more pace in between the objects and there is not a chaotic rhythm to them from placing so many in such close proximity. This also creates a smoother texture visually, as opposed to Blagdon's being more rough and bumpy. The proportions and scales are much smaller in Blagdon becasue he had created the object, as I had emphasized the entire space in the site. The organization of the objects used to create the piece in mine are slightly more linear than Blagdon had used.
The pieces both carry the same weight if it were to be cut down the middle, giving it a sense of balance, rhythm and unity between the space and the pieces themselves. The sense of rhythm is created by the individual pieces used to create the sculptures. There is a variety of materials used and organized in a sensical and abstract way. By the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art cause a visual tempo or beat that others are supposed to experience. The works put emphasis on the experience as opposed to on itself.
The color within both works are different in the sense of color scheme. Blagdon had used more metallic colors and colors that resonated with the electricity in the earth, With the creation of the actual work into the site, the colors used are to blend and dull out in their surroundings to not distract from the natural element of nature, and instead just heighten the experience. The line work , as well as the overall shape is a lot more simplified in mine compared to Blagdon's. This is because there is a lot more pace in between the objects and there is not a chaotic rhythm to them from placing so many in such close proximity. This also creates a smoother texture visually, as opposed to Blagdon's being more rough and bumpy. The proportions and scales are much smaller in Blagdon becasue he had created the object, as I had emphasized the entire space in the site. The organization of the objects used to create the piece in mine are slightly more linear than Blagdon had used.
Connecting to ACT
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause and effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
My intent was to enhance an experience and use the natural elements of the site to channel the energy to those passing by in a positive way.
What was the overall approach (point of view) the author (form your research) has regarding the topics of your inspiration?
The artist was very connected to the Earth and acknowledged its power in affecting the life of others. It could be used in a positive way through use of objects.
What kinds of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I discovered a hidden spirituality in the land and its power to influence others.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea or theme was enhancement of energy used to channel into people.
What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
The idea of doing anything, no matter how lucrative, for loved ones due to human nature, and natural connection to your surroundings was reinforced.
My intent was to enhance an experience and use the natural elements of the site to channel the energy to those passing by in a positive way.
What was the overall approach (point of view) the author (form your research) has regarding the topics of your inspiration?
The artist was very connected to the Earth and acknowledged its power in affecting the life of others. It could be used in a positive way through use of objects.
What kinds of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I discovered a hidden spirituality in the land and its power to influence others.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea or theme was enhancement of energy used to channel into people.
What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
The idea of doing anything, no matter how lucrative, for loved ones due to human nature, and natural connection to your surroundings was reinforced.