A vessel is a hollow container whilst volume measures the amount of space these vessels occupy. In this project I constructed two separate and hollow models and connected them to create a sense of volume.
SCORING
To start off this project I repeated steps from the previous project by using the parabolic curve exercise. I played with different shapes and the some same shapes that I experimented with before. As I cut these out including grid lines I was able to bend the foam core to begin to make shapes.
Mixing Plaster:
After I had completed my scoring and was finished with my first two foam core models, I taped them down separately to begin my process with the plaster.
I took a small container and filled it half up with water and then started to add the plaster into it. The key is to put more than half of plaster into the water and let the plaster sit for at least two minutes BEFORE mixing. Before I applied the plaster I covered the molds with vaseline. After I mixed the plaster I began to apply the plaster to the inside of my foam core molds with popsicle sticks. It took a little while to thicken which made it a little complicated to get the plaster to stick to the molds, but overtime it began to stick and I was able to complete these two molds. I let them sit each for 5-10 minutes and then took the foam core off and my molds became 3D plaster models.
First Two Models:
The first two models I made didn’t really go together so I had to get creative in terms of connecting the two.
A.
B.
Half Way Done:
I took a piece of wood and cut it into a square as my base to hold up the two models. I wanted the bigger piece A to be the top of my model and drilled a hole up through the back of it. Then I drilled a hole through the wood to connect them together.
The smaller piece B was definitely a challenge to make the two pieces flow together, but finally I decided to put it on the bottom of piece A. When I presented it to the class I got a lot of pretty good feedback on my project (which I was surprised with), but I still wasn’t content with the looks of it. Therefore, I decided to cut the stick connected to the wood and model A to make it shorter so they would look more connected for the sake of dimension and flow. I filled the bottom piece with plaster so it would stick to the stick I used and would somewhat connect the pieces together.
Finished Product
I am okay* with the way the finished product turned out because this is something I am new to experimenting with. What I learned from this project and the project previously is I would like to create a concept dealing with our theme for space which is: culture. As an artist, even though constructing small models like this is not something I am particularly interested in, I know I do my best work when I have a concept behind my projects. Otherwise, I feel like I am just building a model with no purpose and do not have a vision/I am not connected to the piece itself. For my next project I really hope to put a concept dealing with our theme culture so I have a set vision of what my motives are while constructing the project.
