Free Form

Overall Concept:

My final studio project is inspired by the “Revolving Armchair” by designer Charlotte Perriand. My main thesis opens up a discussion about the designer herself and how the work is inspired by the modernist movement. I also write about how many of Perriand’s male counterparts were credited for much of her work, and how women in modern design of the 1920s were influential in evolving this design era. My current thesis statement reads:

“The materiality of Charlotte Perriand’s 1928 Revolving Armchair demonstrates the modernist movement and the influence of progressive ideas and people during this era. Perriand was one of the most influential for this design period, often going unrecognized and credit going to her many male counterparts.”

This subject has opened my eyes and made me realize how many people actually were influential in the very movement that they have no credit for. Big names like Le Corbusier are always noted, which does not seem just to me. I explored the modernist movement’s history and how it was influenced by women.

For this project specifically, I wanted to emphasize the female inspiration and the iteration process that was heavily influenced by my research. I wanted to create a form that was reminiscent of a traditionally feminine figure and add a globe lamp to the top the emulate a beaming head. I added the hole through the center of the sculpture to indicate that women in design and women in general are seen as not complete or only offer a part of what men offer.

My bridge 3 presentation: 3_Lucie_Roche

Moodboard:

Final Sketch:

Work in progress:

Final documentation photos:

Reflection paragraph:

It was an exploration and experimentation of the process of making. For me personally, I had never done such an immense amount of research before beginning a piece. I had also never created a 3-d structure using most of the materials I did. I enjoyed the aspect of lighting that I added to the piece and hope to explore that field of design in more depth in the future.

If I were to recreate this work in the future, I would want to create at least 3 more lamps in different forms inspired by women in different fields of design. I would also want to create the form out of a recycled fiber and then add a different texture onto it, perhaps leather or a chrome-like finish.

Bridge 3: Final Concept

The Moodboard, sketches, research, and inspiration can all be found in the post linked above.

Work in Progress:

wire and aluminum base armature from construction

adding the plaster cloth to the base to start creating the desired form

the final product after wrapping the whole form with plaster cloth

Documenting the final work:

I want the piece to stand alone and not be in any kind of environment. When I look at a product, I like to see it by itself and how it holds its own artistic value when it is not in its intended environment. I want to create a white backdrop setting to photograph the lamp in lighting that captures its form and texture. One example I found is pictured in the photo below. I want the setting to be simple and effective. The lamp is by designer Jacques Adnet.

What else I have to do to complete the work:

I plan on doing the layer of air-dry clay next, I am still deciding what I want to use for the final finish. I want to either use a wax and resin medium or a coat of high gloss paint. I need to research the cost and availability of the mediums to determine which one I will use. I am also adding the bulb globe to the top of the base and an orange lightbulb inside the globe. The globe is white acrylic, which is slightly translucent.

Research/Writing:

My final studio project is inspired by the “Revolving Armchair” by designer Charlotte Perriand. My main thesis is to discuss the designer herself and how the work is inspired by the modernist movement. I also plan to write about how many of Perriand’s male counterparts were credited for much of her work, and how women in the modern design of the 1920s were influential in evolving this design era. My current thesis statement reads:

“The materiality of Charlotte Perriand’s 1928 Revolving Armchair demonstrates the modernist movement and the influence of progressive ideas and people during this era. Perriand was one of the most influential for this design period, often going unrecognized and credit going to her many male counterparts.”

This subject is taking me to many articles that have made me realize how many people actually influential in the very movement that they have no credit for. Big names like Le Corbusier are always noted, which does not seem just to me. I want to explore the modernist movement’s history and how it was influenced by women.

Moodboard:

Final Sketch Idea:

I am going to create a table lamp, approximately 8in wide and 12in tall. I plan on using air-dry clay and a reclaimed lamp base. The shape of the lamp will be inspired by the modernist movement and the female form. Juxtaposing what was traditionally considered a more “masculine” design movement, with the lines of a feminine presenting body.

Material Investigation:

I will use a lightweight airdry clay with fixed interior armatures to create the form of the lamp. Depending on the final texture I desire, I will use either thicker paint or acrylic to color the lamp. I have used air dry clay in the past so I plan on using the sculpting techniques I already know about to create this piece.

Overall idea:

I am going to make a lamp inspired by modernism and the female form. I will achieve this work through trial and error and spending time focusing on the form, texture, and color of my piece. My work relates to the design era and designer of the work titled “Revolving Armchair” by Charlotte Perriand. It also relates to me personally and historically, focusing on creating an object that highlights women in design, which is personal to me and my family, as well as historical female figures in design.

For my Bridge 3 project, I wanted to use a type of meltable wax and clay for two of the main materials. I had never worked with any type of wax before so I decided to focus the investigation on that material. I was hoping to achieve a drip look with the wax and use the clay to easily sculpt a similar-looking melting shape.

Melting the beeswax and small piece that I sculpted before it was fully melted down

Beeswax and polymer clay investigation

I think for my Bridge 3 project I will use beeswax and another type of wax that is cheaper. I think that beeswax is an interesting material to work with but it is not very achievable because of how expensive it is. I think I will also use the polymer clay as a sort of base for the wax to drip on. I also need to find a material to encase the final drippings of the wax so it is not too soft- possibly resin.

Moodboard:

Material Investigation:

For this work, I want to use materials that are malleable and that I can manipulate with my hands. I would like to create the form using a wire and polymer clay base, and then after that I would be interested in adorning the work with wax, acrylic, and a light fixture. I have used polymer before but I have not worked with wax. I thoroughly enjoyed the process of creating a polymer sculpture I made in the past, so I look forward to experimenting with new materials in addition to ones I am familiar with. I would also like to experiment with textiles which I have not worked with before. I will research the materials and techniques I am unfamiliar with by creating mini projects I can work on to explore them more thoroughly.

A paragraph explaining your overall idea:

I am going to make a sculpture out of materials that are malleable for my process, but the final product will not be. It will be a sculpture that has an element of light and electricity, and/or includes space for a living plant. I want this piece to reflect a personal exploration of what light and texture means to me. I would like to explore the idea of lighting through this work and how it relates to my name, Lucie, meaning light. This piece will be a memorial of my name. I will achieve creating this work by testing out materials and techniques that I have not used before and creating a final piece that reflects my personal, emotions, opinions, and mentality.

For this project, I learned a lot through the process of framing a scene as well as video editing to create an atmosphere.

Bridge 1: Memoir

Play this audio while scrolling through!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I decided on these objects for my memoir because I think that these somewhat new objects I have can reflect the past. I like looking at my current self for inspiration on how to interpret my past self into art. I like to memorialize memories I have made or moments I have enjoyed, through physical forms. More specifically, I decided to pick these objects because within each object, is a visual that I can immediately connect it to. Within sharing these objects with others, I hope that they remind you of a memory or object of your own. Through these objects, I hope to create a memorial narrative referencing elements of my childhood and my current self. I hope to connect my memory to the present to create a realm that I can explore.

Hey! My name is Lucie Roche (she/her), and I am from San Diego, California. This is not my first time in New York, I have visited a handful of times which is why I was so excited to be here for the next four years or more! As you will see in the rest of this post, I love color and working with lighting. My major is interior design, which I am so passionate about. Currently, my favorite design period is postmodernism. As you can see in the photo to the left, I love to get outside and enjoy the outdoors, even if it’s a park in a big city! I also enjoy lots of different types of music, my favorite subgenre at the moment is 90’s dream pop!

Above is “16” one of my favorite pieces I have completed to date. I like to work with materials that are able to evolve and shift, this particular piece is a polymer clay base. I think some of my favorite pieces are not the ones that took the longest or are the most detailed and technically intricate, they are the ones that have the most meaning. This piece was inspired by a found object, a small, beat-up mini purse that I used for a year straight when I was 16. I wanted this sculpture to personify the bag and turn it into something that could take in and see everything that I had experienced when I was holding the bag. I made this piece as a tribute to my 16-year-old self, as a remembrance of my constant coming-of-age.

 

Above is an untitled digitally collaged piece I created. The project was inspired by the places I have traveled and candid photos I took on my phone. I made this piece as a commemoration of the idea that we all take important, candid photos every day. I was inspired by the fact that I have over 20,000 photos in my camera roll on my phone.

I decided to study at Parsons because of the overall design education that you get as well as the ability to focus on a specific major. No other design school offered interior design as a major within a larger school.  I also liked that it is part of the School of Constructed Environments.