"Ripple"
Steel Rod, Copper, Steel Wire. 12" x 7" 11"
(2018)
Steel Rod, Copper, Steel Wire. 12" x 7" 11"
(2018)
From concept to creation, the piece originally had a plan for remixing a single project. Though that was the intent, many things in between happened. More inspiration, accidents, accomplishments, and more that resulted in a blending of concepts and executions from all three previous projects and their planning phases. Even though the focus of a project is there, unconscious work sometimes finds its way to the foreground.
5/6/18 - 5/12/18
Show time week. Project is due on the 10th, but I was on a pretty good roll from last week. I knew, for the most part, what steps I needed to do next, but by only having "for the most part" of my plans actually planned out, that led to some happy accidents.
While my base was drying, I was still in search of different gauges sizes. I perused some stores and ended up getting a 6 and a 10 gauge copper wire. I was pleased because this material was a lot more malleable than the steel rod I was having much trouble with in bending. Nevertheless, I got it and I was off to bending. It took much muscle, rod bending tools, vice clamping, hammering and even some grinding. All of that stretched probably four or five hours. It was okay because I had the general shape I needed for all of my metal pieces.
Show time week. Project is due on the 10th, but I was on a pretty good roll from last week. I knew, for the most part, what steps I needed to do next, but by only having "for the most part" of my plans actually planned out, that led to some happy accidents.
While my base was drying, I was still in search of different gauges sizes. I perused some stores and ended up getting a 6 and a 10 gauge copper wire. I was pleased because this material was a lot more malleable than the steel rod I was having much trouble with in bending. Nevertheless, I got it and I was off to bending. It took much muscle, rod bending tools, vice clamping, hammering and even some grinding. All of that stretched probably four or five hours. It was okay because I had the general shape I needed for all of my metal pieces.
Next I had to drill holes—the most dreaded part. It was simple until I got to the side that needed angled holes for the attachment pieces to fit accordingly. Drilling holes went better than I thought so I also thought about coloring the base. I was interested in the paint cup method so I tried that. The next day, I had to scrap my base because it was too thick. I was distraught because I only had a couple of days until it was due, but I sucked it up and created another base. This time it was rectangular. I still had some of the same problems with drilling holes but far less visual hiccups on the square base. Some of the metal attachments were ground down to somewhat of a point in order for the rods to fit in the angled holes. It was exciting to see that they were actually going to fit. I added adhesives just in case.
Finally, I was back to the coloring portion. Spray paint became my friend because it dried quickly and I needed something to "dry quickly". A black base was accompanied by silver (sprayed) rods and the natural copper. Known by a few names, Seismic Scale and The Contour, the supreme victor came out as Ripple.
4/29/18 - 5/5/18
This week, I was able to make some jumps to helping to finish my project. I started off with only 17 gauge steel wire, but I remembered a suggestion from an earlier project about creating a dynamic to the the "lines" I could create. I went to many different stores looking for the right in between sizes because what I had available created a large jump in size and I did not want that! I wanted it to be a bit smoother in gauge transition. This week I also started working on the base. This, from previous learnings, was to be made out of wood. I have had enough of drilling into metal. It was difficult especially with 1/16 drill bit tips. My base was going to be a round shape. I had to get a combination of wood scraps, but it worked for the best when I cut and adhered them together ( via liquid nails).
This week, I was able to make some jumps to helping to finish my project. I started off with only 17 gauge steel wire, but I remembered a suggestion from an earlier project about creating a dynamic to the the "lines" I could create. I went to many different stores looking for the right in between sizes because what I had available created a large jump in size and I did not want that! I wanted it to be a bit smoother in gauge transition. This week I also started working on the base. This, from previous learnings, was to be made out of wood. I have had enough of drilling into metal. It was difficult especially with 1/16 drill bit tips. My base was going to be a round shape. I had to get a combination of wood scraps, but it worked for the best when I cut and adhered them together ( via liquid nails).
4/26/18
4/12/18
For my remix project, I decided to revisiting both Project 1 and Project 3. I am not sure if I will use steel rod or wire, but my general ideas include the curves from forms in my project 1 cardboard trials.
For my remix project, I decided to revisiting both Project 1 and Project 3. I am not sure if I will use steel rod or wire, but my general ideas include the curves from forms in my project 1 cardboard trials.