Space and Materiality, Culture: Week 8 Assignment, Concept Development

In this post, I am documenting my first explorations with the drawing desk inhabitations in Room 1108 of 2 West 13th Street. I have considered three separate iteration/ ideation drawings to continue building upon the initial ideas I had for this space. After much thought, I have decided to go forward with my second ideation sketch of the butterfly inhabited space. Let’s begin!

1). Iteration Drawing #1: “Cavern of Transformation”

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The basic outline of this structure would be a piece of wood that is thick enough to chisel drooping layers into (for the cave effect), and wide enough to span across the middle empty space the desk (in room 1108) encompasses. The block would also have subtle, organic, and varied (in size) looking columns or rings that could be attached to the two back poles via hinges, and some sort of latching device on the other end. The rings would actually be apart of the structure, so that everything would maintain its subtlety. In addition; to best represent the transformation of the butterfly from pupa all throughout the chrysalis to springing emergence, I would begin by drilling holes into the drooping layers in an upwards fashion- starting from the bottom-up, stringing yarn at different lengths through the holes; and I would form the insects’ transitional phases using fabric and/or wood. These forms would then have holes drilled through them; and would be knotted for connecting purposes. Lastly, I would incorporate miniature tea lights for play upon shadow and light (transformation theme); and the lights would be situated in the crevices of the layers, sparsely placed according to where the pupa and butterfly figures are… specifically situated behind each figure to leave a shadow. The culture is intimate, enclosed and dimly lit -invented for growth internally and the butterfly is made to spring outwards (seeming as if it is flying away from the desk/cavern).

2). Iteration Drawing #2: “Speedy Transition”

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For my second idea; the concept is more direct, straightforward, and simplified. The piece is made up of only two planks of wood that have been scored with a chisel very lightly so that some figures also representing the transformation of the butterfly (from its early stages of life to full maturity), can slide and give movement. The planks would be parallel to one another with space in-between due to the planks needing to wrap around the poles (all four)- I was thinking that I could build a simple frame that could have the planks enclosed somehow inside, and the edges/corners of the frame would clasp around the poles with hinges. The theme is obviously about the birth of the butterfly, and the speed of its rebirth. The figures would be carved out of wood and suspended with wire- the base upon which they slide would be a thin strip of wood also. The culture is open, airy, and paced.

3). Iteration Drawing #3: “The Dawn of Life, Bringer of Light”

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To conclude I have chosen a very small form that would take up medium to minimal space. Construction is as follows- at wood shop I would create a chrysalis out of wood (perhaps segregating the pieces into two or three sections): top (cap), middle (engraved column), bottom (cap) or top (cap) and bottom (engraved conical column). Furthermore, the column (middle) would have a dying/resting butterfly working its way into ascension and full expansion towards the top. Deep inside will be three to four brightly lit tea lights (enough to span the bottom surface of the bottom cap), and the light will project through the engraved cut-outs. This will be suspended and situated in the middle by a string of double yarns tightly stretched to the bottom and top of the desk and tied to looped rings- which would be applied to a thin strip or block of wood, and finally fused to the desk with command strips. The culture is isolated, enclosed and bright.

Down below are some snapshots of the actual written descriptions I took as well:

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Hello, My name is Megan Taylor, I am a returning student here at Parsons; my major is Fashion Design with a peaking interest in environmentalism and animal welfare; I hope to transform the industry someday...slowly but surely. My wish is to combine luxury and aesthetic appeal with the consciousness of how and where it is made along with the idea of what to do with it after use. I have been following my need to create and share with the world art and fashion since the tender age of eleven years old.

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