Danger

The objects I chose at the Met include a saber and a gun. After looking through various objects on display, I decided to investigate the weapons because they are objects that are visually appealing in their shapes as well as their details. The decorative shape contrasts the function of the weapon and makes the pieces weapons of display rather than fighting weapons. Usually, I would stay away from the theme of weaponry, but I chose a type of object that I was unfamiliar with so I could learn and practice drawing something with a different shape.

I took an abstract route when choosing weapons from the everyday life in my normal environment. For these objects, I chose a mouth, a cupcake, a decorate hammer, and a rubber duck-shaped thumbtack. These objects are not conventional weapons, but each have the ability to function as a weapon. Also, like the objects at the Met, I found each object visually appealing and different in shape, so I thought the objects would work well and show varied form. The lips work as a weapon because people speaking can often be a weapon against ourselves. Whether one gossips, spreads negativity with their words, or lets something slip, their mouth acts as a weapon. The cupcake is a weapon because it is a treat that lures one in when they do not want to eat such an unhealthy food resulting in guilt and weight-gain. The thumbtack can act as a weapon because it is sharp as can the hammer because it actually does function. While these objects are more concrete weapons, the hammer is more decorate because it has a floral pattern and the thumbtack is more decorative and silly because of its rubber duck shape.

I chose to focus on the shape of the weapons and the construction of the objects rather than the outward design. By focusing on the form, I think the cube is more decorative and simple. The cube focuses on the design and layout of the shapes rather than the small details of each separate weapon so the objects can function together as a unit. I think this mimics the theme of the weapons because most of the objects centered on design and display rather than the actual function of a weapon. I used a purple background with contrasting yellow objects to create a visual display on the cube to mimic the importance of visual display rather than focus on the detail. The design layout contains overlapping images and the sizes of the images vary as well. In the saber object, I used rhythm by repeating the circles to represent the pearl strands hanging off the handle. Also, I used the gestalt principles of proximity by grouping objects closer together than others and used figure ground to differentiate the objects from the background. I used purple colored pencil to create a solid and bold background. The objects are lightly painted in gouache and yellow colored pencil to pop against the background. Because the background is darker, the images seem set into the background as well.

After drawing the images structurally, I was more prepared to draw them on the cube because I understood the form better. I also think that exploring the details of the objects gave me a better understanding of the different ways I could create a pattern on the cube. By choosing the route that focuses on the shape, I further explored the construction of the objects form different views and variations.

The cube project allowed me to explore objects from various perspectives. Previously, from drawing observational drawings of objects or people, I would often take the perspective that I first saw and started drawing blindly. After the cube project, I can find a way to really observe and look at the object before drawing. I think that the project allows me to think about layout and design visually by thinking about several different aspects combined. By unifying color, composition, design, layout, gestalt principles, shape, and more into one project, I realized that the though process and planning is key to a drawings. I would like to take these ideas of design further into computer programs like Illustrator or fashion design ideas because I think various elements and thought processes can make up a successful layout and design.

Information about the objects from the Metropolitan Museum of Art:

OBJECT 1:

1. What is it?

The object is a saber sword with a scabbard or sheath. It is made of steel, gold, gilt brass, diamonds, emeralds, and pearls. It is Turkish from the Ottoman Empire. The sword symbolizes the wealth and love of ostentatious display that the Ottoman court was known for since the 16^th century.

2. Where is it now and how did it get there?

Now, the saber is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on display in the arms and armor display. The sword was a gift to the museum from Giulia P. Morosini.

3. What is its date?

The saber dates to the 19^th century.

4. What was the object’s function? Was it unique?

The function of the saber was to inaugurate the Islamic rulers. Instead of using crowns to inaugurate the royalty, the Islamic people used swords. The saber is unique because it contains a hidden compartment under an emerald with an prayer inscription “According to God’s Will”. Also in the compartment is a gold coin that marks the name, Stüleyman the Magnificent. He was the most powerful Ottoman ruler of the 16^th century.

5. Who made, owned, or used the object?

A court jeweler of the royal Ottoman Empire made the saber. The inscription in the secret compartment of the emerald suggests that it belonged to Stüleyman the Magnificent during his reign. Also, Sultan Murad V, the Islamic ruler had the saber refitted in 1876, but had a mental breakdown and was put in prison before his inauguration. The saber was passed from ruler to ruler after each inauguration.

OBJECT 2:

1. What is it?

The object is a revolver gun made of steel, silver, turquoise, and lapis. It was created in Springfield Massachusetts.

2. Where is it now and how did it get there?

The revolver is now on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the American Wing. It was purchased by Arthur Ochs Sulzberger and gifted to the Met in 2013.

3. What is its date?

It was made in 1891-1892.

4. What was the object’s function? Was it unique?

The object’s function was made for it to be on display. It was exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. It is a unique example of a Tiffany “jeweled” silver. The semiprecious stones suggest the influence of Islamic weapons, on which such stones were considered to have talismanic properties.

5. Who made, owned, or used the object?

The revolver was made by Smith& Wesson, a firearm manufacturer of the United States headquartered in Springfield Massachusetts. It was created in collaboration between Smith & Wesson and Tiffany & Co. for display and artistry.

Detailed weapon drawings from observation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: