Sculpture project 1- Wire figures; Common shape/figure

For my first wire figure, I decided to do something people could recognize. The abstract one is proving to be far more difficult for me to come up with, than I ever remember abstract being for me before. I mean, it could be anything, any shape, a mass, a tangled ball of wire or what have you. Yet, I am having artists block. I started with my dragon, which is a small model of what my final project will be, however not nearly as detailed. Andy said on the first day of class, that if we weren't making a mess, and our hands weren't dirty or scarred, that we weren't working hard enough, so here is photographic proof of my work ethic-

Note the blood on my knuckle, that isn't the first OR the last of my cuts from the damn wire. Though I must say, I really enjoy working with it. Its been difficult for me to get the results I want from it, but  I feel that will help me when I actually make a body for my larger piece. The most frustrating  part of this project for me so far has been my cat, Demon. She loves the wire, as its twisting around on the floor while i string it around and around to make the body of the beast, she continuously would grab it, play with it, and even pull it out of my hands. Angry, but not wanting to lock her back in the bathroom and hear her whine, I made her a dorky toy out of wire, seashells and old Christmas ornaments.

Look how cute and calm she is. How was I supposed to know if she was ALLOWED to play with something, that she wouldn't want to. Go figure. So, because of her outrageous amount of energy, here I am at my buddy Rachel's place, working on finishing my piece. Unfortunately, I wonder where and when I will find the idea and the time for the next one...Especially because I work a full day tomorrow, yayyyy... Anyway, here is my work in progress!

Art versus Tables....or something like that.

There was a discussion today in my intro to sculpture class, about sculpture as an art-form, and how more and more it is becoming that fine art furniture is "taking over the scene" so to speak. We spoke of the line between furniture that is merely nice, and as Andy stated "Oh, you added some triangular shaped legs to make it pleasing, but it is still just a table" and artwork made with a function, like a hand that can double as a chair, like the two in my house-(which I didn't make, they are from Indonesia)

The chairs aren't super functional. You wouldn't want to lean back in them, they have no base support and would topple over, and you certainly wouldn't want to bring drunken college friends around. But, again to the main point, Andy stated that "You have a grand, would you buy a sculpture or a new couch?" He personally would by the couch, seeing as he has many pieces of art already, and since he is skilled and has skilled colleagues, can gain more as he pleases. Art trades rock! Though someone in my situation, honestly would want both, but I am happy with putting MY grand into savings or bills or what have you. Anyway, back to my main point. Where is the line drawn exactly? I wanted to enter in deeper into this conversation, ask some questions and build on previous ideas, however even though I am usually a talkative and assertive person, I couldn't get a word in edge wise to some of the women in my classroom, so here I am writing another novel of a story, to get my word out there.

My view is similar to my teachers, this here, (a link to IKEA) is a modernized piece of furniture. It is made for a function, specifically, but was designed in an aesthetically pleasing way, to mock "art" - [IKEA TABLE]  Its got repeating shapes, a sleek color, smooth outer edges, but its just a side table with a removable tray. This next link, is a link to my favorite artists webpage (Mr. H.R. Giger). He stated in one of his books I read last term when doing a paper on he and I as artists, that "Peoples houses are just too small anymore. No one has the space or money for sculpture, so many have turned to functional art. Everyone should have art in their house" or something to that respect. This is one of H.R. Giger's "Tables"[GIGER TABLE]

Now, unlike the previous Ikea table, you removed the class topper to Gigers table, and voila! There is a sculpture. It wouldn't just be three or four odd shaped legs that would fall over, meaningless, its a metal cast alien, super cool! This is where I see a difference. Giger's table is artwork, Ikea's table is a modernized table. Unfortunately, not many people have an eye for art anymore, and anything that is simply pleasing to the eye becomes "art" or, people find certain things like splatters on a canvas art. That's not art, that's a sell out. 

I remember getting into an argument once with an Ex-boyfriend that argued how well he played his video-games, was an art form, just like my sculpture. Those are not the same. Yes, both could be considered a skill, but ANYONE who practices video games can play them well and beat them. Every single person who plays the game will win eventually, have all of the secret awesome items and weapons, etc. Not everyone can draw well, even if they practice.

Like my old teacher James told me when I first started playing with clay, "Sam, it's nice of you to tell people that with practice they will be good artists, but do not tell them they will reach your level. You still have a lot to learn, but you have talent and a creative mind, You'll go very far if you keep practicing. Most people aren't that creative. They don't have an eye for interesting shapes or figures, color combinations, etc." I have seen this to be true. I have ALOT to learn, I need ALOT of practice, especially with how long I've gone without trying to make any art. But at least I know what art is. And, honestly, those who sculpt are the best of the best. Their pieces are slaves to the area, lighting, etc. around them. They can't throw a frame around it and call it segregated. The base, the wall behind it or the scenery all play a part of how "good" it is. And, working with your hands, using traditional methods, turning mud into rock, mixing old world and industrial, that is NOT easy.

So, I urge anyone reading this to take my words into deep consideration. What do YOU think is art, and why? What makes art "good"?

The Misadventures of Mr. Horrible-Man, and Heartless

          This is the wall, now, after the latest argument between Mr. Horrible-man and Heartless. Now before we get into the story of the latest argument, i'll give you a little back story on these two characters. Mr. Horrible-man doesn't quite always live up to his self-proclaimed name. He is a lover at heart, and wishes to remain so, but he can also be as wild as a baited shark in warm, bloody waters. Horrible-man has been through many heartbreaks in his lifetime, which has hit his self-esteem, although he wont admit it. Mr. Horrible-Man was not the "popular" kid in school, as a matter of fact, when he was younger, he had a horrible self image, because of how large he was, which in turn made him workout to better himself, but it never healed his wounded heart. Often left alone to figure out the world himself, he grew slightly jaded to the people and the world around him, justifying his reclusive and introverted nature. Although he never realizes it, he can speak well with people, and make many friends, but when told so, he either doesn't believe it, or doesn't care. He looks to the acceptance and approval of women to fully justify his being, and his happiness, which has started his relationship with Heartless to turn for the worse.

     Now Heartless, on the other hand, is similar but completely different in most respects. She too, was a late bloomer when it came to looks, and she also worked hard to create confidence, and make herself desirable to the opposite sex. However, she is independent, strong-willed, and an extrovert. Heartless is a social being, with lots of great friends and wonderful colleagues, and she needn't gain the justification from a mate or the fact of having one, to justify her own existence on this plane. She is dominant, and likes to believe she is fairly intelligent. She lives on the fact that she doesn't need anyone, but loves having them around, and feels as if she doesn't take them for granted, because she doesn't use them. She works hard, goes to school, and is trying to maintain a balanced life. She wants happiness and fulfillment, she wants a lover who is self-sufficient and a similar thinker. In her past relationships, she has been used, (never abused, because she doesn't put up with that crap) cheated on, lied to, and even verbally broken down about looks or what have you. She isn't quick to trust anyone, and those who break her trust rarely gain it back. 

  Now on to the story-

One fateful day, this last June, Heartless and Mr. Horrible-man met up and fell for each other quickly. Mr. Horrible-man was in great shape, had thick, gorgeous hair, and was into the metal scene. He didn't seem to take shit from anyone, he appeared very confident, and someone who was social and laughed a lot. He was sweet and caring, without a care in the world. Heartless was confident, with a hop in her step and an open heart and mind. She came upon Mr. Horrible man with dark eyes fringed beneath thick lashes, and a smile. Three months later, they moved in together. Not necessarily because they had both thought it out, agreed on it, and figured they could do it fine...but more so because both of their living situations had gone to hell, and they both needed somewhere to go. It seemed easy at the time

    It started with minor arguments of how Mr. Horrible-man needed to clean more, and get more hours at work, because Heartless was so busy with work and school that she barely had the energy to work on the house. It went into Mr. Horrible-man being overly jealous of Heartless' male friends, Heartless still being upset about the house, and how Mr. Horrible-man wasn't contributing enough...to worse. Heartless had found Mr. Horrible-man going though her computer, cell phone, and even her personal journal. This jaded her quite a bit. Unfortunately for Heartless, who was never one to snoop, Mr. Horrible-man's unexplained insecurities caused her to check his cellphone. She had found some incriminating text-messages of his, between him and a girl named Number 1. She was heartbroken at this point. They lived together, and this woman only a few miles away thought he had been single for the last 6 months, and he let her believe so, flirting with her, the whole nine yards. Heartless stepped out of her normal boundaries and talked to Number 1 herself. Not in a bad, angry, type of way, but a softer approach. She had heard everything she needed to know. Mr. Horrible-man came up with 4 different stories, to make up for his obvious folly, which were all lies. Heartless reluctantly forgave him.

   Not a week later, after Mr. Horrible-man had promised he'd never do such again, she saw his message list on a website, still logged in on her computer. She didn't need to read them, but merely the titles, to know he had once again, done what he said he wouldn't. Heartless' trust was completely gone. Horrible, right? Well, once again, he cried, he sobbed, he promised love, and she broke it off with him. But his depression got to her, and she gave him another shot, just to find out he did it again. The pictures between the girls Number 8 and Number 9, and Mr. Horrible man, hurt her the most. But, each time she found another woman, more messages, she got less and less depressed, and more over him, and his lies. Even when caught, he would try to cover up the story. How sad, Heartless only wanted honesty.

   Now after all of this, they still argue over trust. Each at times, wondering why they still give it a shot day to day. Arguing over this and that.. and then the wall. Mr. Horrible man has a disgusting habit of breaking things when he is angry. Do you think this is a red flag? I sure do! So where does one turn when two people live together, and almost all of the love is gone, but neither has any other place to go? Kids, this is why you should never move in with someone you don't completely love, or understand. I see too many people in loveless marriages and unhappy relationships. Be smart, get out of it, find someone that respects you! AND THE DAMN SECURITY DEPOSIT! Poor wall :( 

-Sam
   
 

Yet another meaningless ramble...

For my sculpture class we are practicing and designing ideas for one final product at the end of the term. My teacher said that plaster and rebar are both fairly cheap, and this has me super excited! What a prolific term this will be for me, at Lane Community! I am taking two physical education classes, as well, so it will be relaxing in the sense that I won't have a ridiculous amount of homework, but at at least I can get back into shape! Hopefully my Manager at work will continue to be flexible, however, because I have high hopes to have a lot of extra time to work on this art project. I bought myself a smaller sketchbook, and prisma colors (god I love them!) so that I can start my design process. I have always wanted to make something in a larger scale than my smaller models, but never had the designated time or space. I plan on making at least a 9 foot long dragon like creature, with various human-like appendages. I want to represent Time, Change, and Individuality. Though... I feel like my main reason for desigining the creature, is that I have always loved crossing the human figure with various other fluid animals (octopus, snake, etc.). I finished a drawing of a hand, and I wonder if I can used petroleum jelley and plaster strips to model my own hands and arms for my figure. We did something silimar to that when I was in 5th grade when making masks. Plaster is a lot of fun! In the meantime, I'd better get back to focusing on my sketches and designs, and get away from my mothers desk, before they out me to work. Here's a picture of another older sculpture, ill post newer drawings soon!

Sculpture day one, and Ratork the Orc mask

 Today was the first day of my Introduction to Sculpture class at Lane Community College. My teacher, Andy Salzman, (don't worry, not trying to kiss asses here) is a pretty funny guy. I couldn't help but feel kind of sorry for him, as his class is 98% women, and everyone knows how crazy we can be.  He required us to set up a blog as a kind of E-sketchbook, so tah-dah! Though I must say, where as I am involuntarily a fan of social networking, meaning it has stolen my soul and I really just check it out of habit, not an actual desire to read about Jane Doe's drunken one-night-stand or whatever, I found this blog frustrating. In this day-and age, MY generation, "Generation Next" is supposed to be technologically literate, and apparently, I never got the blog memo. But I digress.  This class, Intro to Sculpture, is a learning process of designing, and executing ideas and skills, to create a good piece of art. Luckily, this teacher this term actually has a view on artwork that I agree with, unlike my teacher last term, who only thought things that were colorful and super fluid were good. Sorry to sound jaded, but she didn't seem to understand my  style, or like it for that matter, and it really burned me when she was "not surprised you chose H.R. Giger" for my paper. That man is a GENIUS. Sure, he aims for grotesque, sexual, and grey-scale, and he surely isn't Mr. Sunshine and Lollipops, but he is phenomenal. If I gain an 8th of his talent in my lifetime, I'll be impressed. Anyway-

  Here's a photo of another one of my older masks I've made, hopefully I can learn some some more skills to become a better artist in the future.

Cthulhu

This is one of my masks I made around june-july last year. Still a beginner, however I have noticed a slight improvement in my painting skills. I hope to apply what I have learned in Basic Design 1 to my next piece.