Advanced Sculpture, 2014

Project 1: Process

Intention Statement

In my work I wanted to express the difference between made-made form and naturalistic form. By cutting away at the natural log, I attempted to reveal the geometric pattern within. I wanted to present a unique relationship between the organic and geomantic. To express the idea that humans become so comfortable with things in everyday life that they forget the origin of the object; chairs, tables etc.

With this project I was very interested in exploring the idea of physical labor. Using a hand saw for creating the work was therefore necessary and also connected with the idea of carpentry, building a wooden product for human use. I engaged in process by labor and explored what that meant. In the making of the piece I switched saws and thought about the meaning of using a small hand saw verses a larger saw. I found that both have interesting ways of engaging the body while creating my work. I learned that with the smaller saw the process of creation was more intimate and rhythmic, taking longer because of the small size of the saw. Later, while working with the larger saw, I found a different conception of process as I cut into my piece with the larger saw I had to use my whole body in each stroke. The idea of creating a whole piece with the concept of implementing your whole body was something I wish I could have explored further.

Another idea in exploring the process in my work, I wanted to show it in its creation as well as the difference between the natural and man-made. I did this by designing the piece so it was only cut through half way to give emphasis on where the piece came from. I also wanted to present the pieces that I cut out of the log. I wanted the audience to see what was removed from the piece and how it was removed, putting emphasis on the creation of the work and the labor. I would also allow the audience to engage with the work by enabling them to use the pieces that were cut away as puzzle pieces to see where they used to be connected. I believe it is very important for that interaction to occur because it would help the audience understand the value of the work and the differences between the soft natural forms of the bark and the hard edge where the saw had cut away the wooden pieces.

My work is based on the idea of labor but it is very hard to express that in visual form. I tried to express the idea of the process with the wood cuts left behind and by leaving the work not cut all the way through, but visually it's hard to understand the work without any directions or a title. The idea of the work was very well executed but if I were to redo the work I would take into account the amount of warping that occurred as the piece dried. Although the concept of nature turning to the geometric form is compelling, it wasn't something I had hoped to express. I wanted to express the two opposites and when the wood distorted, cracked and expanded the idea that I was hoping to present wasn't as powerful. Overall, I believe the piece was successful in presenting the idea of labor and I developed a powerful understanding of the idea of time and how it relates to the value of the work.