Sculpture
Title: Potted Flora
Size: 38.1 cm x 12.7 (per flower) Medium: Wooden sculpture with paper and watercolor paint Completion Date: July 24, 2023 Exhibition Text:
In my piece Potted Flora, I wanted to showcase beauty and what it can be applied to by making an alive, colorless flower in a pot and a dead, colorful flower in a pot. This shows how beauty can be seen in everything including things that may be judged as ugly at first glance. I took some inspiration from the Jewelry firm, House of Fabergé with their flower studies, and Dale Chihuly’s glass work for composition and elements. I am using cardboard, wooden objects and watercolor paint to make this. |
Inspiration:
Artist in Focus: Peter Carl Fabergé - House of Fabergé
One of the artists I used was the House of Fabergé run by Peter Carl Fabergé. The House of Fabergé was actually a jewelry firm that made artwork and jewelry for the rich and the Russian imperial family, the Romanov specifically. In 1917, the family was put to an end and thus halted the House of Fabergé from production. Some of these pieces that they would make that I am specifically taking inspiration from are pieces from their Flower Study series where they looked into Japanese flower arranging known as Ikebana. They learned from the composition styles and made their pieces using metals and stones and rocks and of course gems. In these pieces they are really trying to just bring out the beauty of flowers and the gems they used. In these specific pieces they were focusing on just experimenting with composition and set up and how things looked. I will be taking inspiration from them by making a flower sculpture of my own as well as messing around with how my piece looks. Since I plan to make two separate flowers, the experimenting won’t end as there are many different ways in which I can then showcase this piece and will eventually have to worry about that composition.
One of the artists I used was the House of Fabergé run by Peter Carl Fabergé. The House of Fabergé was actually a jewelry firm that made artwork and jewelry for the rich and the Russian imperial family, the Romanov specifically. In 1917, the family was put to an end and thus halted the House of Fabergé from production. Some of these pieces that they would make that I am specifically taking inspiration from are pieces from their Flower Study series where they looked into Japanese flower arranging known as Ikebana. They learned from the composition styles and made their pieces using metals and stones and rocks and of course gems. In these pieces they are really trying to just bring out the beauty of flowers and the gems they used. In these specific pieces they were focusing on just experimenting with composition and set up and how things looked. I will be taking inspiration from them by making a flower sculpture of my own as well as messing around with how my piece looks. Since I plan to make two separate flowers, the experimenting won’t end as there are many different ways in which I can then showcase this piece and will eventually have to worry about that composition.
Artist in Focus: Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly is known for his sculpture pieces he would make out of glass. Chihuly looks to emulate the process of nature in his pieces. Like the House of Fabergé, for his specific piece I am looking at, Dappled Chalk Violet Ikebana with Fuchsia Frog Foot, he was also inspired by the techniques of Ikebana. I am specifically using his piece as it brings another insight to how I could be composing this flower sculpture and also gives me ideas for some colorization I could use. It helps me see how I can exaggerate the colors but still make it natural in a way. |
Planning:
When I started working on this piece, I had to come up with a design for what I wanted to do. I originally thought of just making one flowerpot with a flower that is withered and dead but full of color to show off my theme. I started playing around with that idea and thinking of how I could make it out of cardboard. I came up with several different designs with different flowerpots. I then realized I had access to these random wood objects such as cubes, popsicle sticks, and dowels. With that realization, I started creating more designs that were different. I then reached out to some peers to see what they thought. With the help of peers, I realized that creating two separate flowerpots, one withered and colorful and one healthy and colorless, would help show off my theme to a greater extent. It would allow some contrast and I thought that was something that would help people see the meaning behind my piece better. I also planned on making the pots like a typical clay pot, where it widens out at the top with the lip. While planning it out and trying with the wood and cardboard I had, I didn’t know how I would be able to make it. So, instead, I went with a plain cylinder pot using the popsicle sticks and paper to help round it. I had to do some math so that I could figure out how many sticks I needed to use on one and how long of a paper I needed. From there I basically had everything ready and planned.
Process:
I first started this piece by making all the different components for the flowerpots and flowers. I started by making the vases for the flowers. I grabbed a piece of my brown paper cut to the height of the popsicle sticks and long enough for the size circle I wanted and started drawing outlines on the paper to show where each stick would be glued on. I then took glue and applied it to every stick and stuck it onto the paper. After getting all 23 sticks on the paper I stuck some heavy objects on it and let it sit. After the glue dried, I checked up on it to make sure it worked before making my next one. Then, after seeing it did work I did the same process with the other and then connected the ends together. I then had my two circles for my vases. I then wanted to work on the base and “dirt” cardboard pieces that would be inside the vases to help it have that dirt detail and a way to connect everything together. I had to measure out the circle and then cut it out with an x-acto knife. I also had to cut a hole in the middle to make sure that the wooden dowels could go through the dirt pieces for the flower stem. I tested them out to make sure they fit and had my four pieces ready and the vases complete.
|
After that I had to cut off some of the wooden dowels. I had to make sure it was an appropriate length for the flower stem. I cut off about 3 inches and then had my stems ready. The last pieces I had to make were the flowers and the leaves. For the leaves on the alive flower, I took some of the brown paper and cut out a leaf shape. For the dead flower I did the same but using different colored paper. I then stuck them on the side of the stem to bend it in the way I wanted to and had the leaves now done. I did something similar for the actual flower by using brown paper for the alive one and then multiple colored papers for the dead one. For the alive flowers, bud I crumpled it up multiple times and shaped it to have a flower like design. For the dead flower I took three different colored papers and glued them together. This gave the papers a nice feel and allowed me to make the bud multi-colored and shaped in the way I wanted it to be easier. For making the dirt I also did something similar by taking brown paper and also grabbing colored paper and connecting them together.
After that I took the pieces for the dead flower and used watercolor paint on everything. I finally grabbed the pieces and started to put everything together using hot glue and wooden cubes as connections for everything.
Experimentation:
I mainly did a lot of experimentation in this piece on my dead flower vase. I wanted to make the pieces colored so that I can show this dead thing being beautiful compared to the duller and blander alive flower. To make them colored I wanted to experiment with how my watercolor paint worked on the wood and cardboard. After doing some research to see if it was possible, I tried some out on the cardboard dirt piece. I wanted to make the dirt multicolored with different spots and areas being different colors. I tried out the watercolors and it seemed to work alright. However, after letting it dry, I noticed that the colors looked very dull and not bright and vibrant. I decided to try and do multiple layers then so that I could make the colors fuller. This was especially happening with the orange I used which could have been since it was a similar color to the color of the cardboard. I then tried it out on the wood and it was working very nicely and was very full. I then put it on the vase first attempting to make it organized yet messy so that it was exploding with color in a way. I picked my six colors out being red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple and started laying it down in random patterns, always making a new pattern when I got back to red. I made it messy by making the red for example drag onto some of the previous or further down popsicle sticks to have it blend and again give it that exploding color look.
I also did some experimenting with the dirt. Since I had the cardboard piece colored to certain colors. I wanted to make a Frankenstein like paper, combining multiple-colored papers to match what I painted on the cardboard piece. I cut the papers into similar shapes and then worked on taping them all together. Once I had it taped up, I had to do some trimming around the edges and then make sure it fit on the cardboard and in the vase.
Critique:
Similarities:
There are some similarities between my work and my inspiration. For example, I was trying to work out a good composition for the flower(s) to help share my purpose and theme better. This was similar to how the artists I was inspired by were doing the studies to help figure out good composition for flowers and of their pieces. We are all trying to create something to express beauty. In my work I am trying to show that beauty is everywhere and, in my inspiration, works they are showing beauty in their arrangements and expressing it. All of the works are similar as well by all being a sculpture. Another similarity is what the piece is. They are all flowers stemming out of their pot. Another similarity is seen in the expression of color. Every piece has colors that pop out and are seen more than every other aspect of the piece. There is also a sense of balance in every work.
There are some similarities between my work and my inspiration. For example, I was trying to work out a good composition for the flower(s) to help share my purpose and theme better. This was similar to how the artists I was inspired by were doing the studies to help figure out good composition for flowers and of their pieces. We are all trying to create something to express beauty. In my work I am trying to show that beauty is everywhere and, in my inspiration, works they are showing beauty in their arrangements and expressing it. All of the works are similar as well by all being a sculpture. Another similarity is what the piece is. They are all flowers stemming out of their pot. Another similarity is seen in the expression of color. Every piece has colors that pop out and are seen more than every other aspect of the piece. There is also a sense of balance in every work.
Differences:
There are some differences between my work and my inspiration as well. For one, the material is different in the pieces. My piece is made out of wood and cardboard and paper while my inspiration is made out of metal or glass. Another difference is in the line of the pieces. My piece seems to have more straight lines, kind of showing this direct statement about my theme, while my inspiration has a lot of curved lines that make it more free. And lastly while there is similarity in it, there is also difference in the points of emphasis of the pieces. In my piece, I am bringing a point of emphasis over every aspect of it. Both flowers, how they are full of color or lacking it, the shape of everything. The work of my inspiration is showing emphasis on the flowers themselves and the layout of them.
There are some differences between my work and my inspiration as well. For one, the material is different in the pieces. My piece is made out of wood and cardboard and paper while my inspiration is made out of metal or glass. Another difference is in the line of the pieces. My piece seems to have more straight lines, kind of showing this direct statement about my theme, while my inspiration has a lot of curved lines that make it more free. And lastly while there is similarity in it, there is also difference in the points of emphasis of the pieces. In my piece, I am bringing a point of emphasis over every aspect of it. Both flowers, how they are full of color or lacking it, the shape of everything. The work of my inspiration is showing emphasis on the flowers themselves and the layout of them.
Reflection:
Overall, this piece was helpful in expanding my sculpture techniques and skills. It also allowed me to explore the way I use watercolor paint as well, using it on a new surface which I might now explore again in the future. I feel as though my inspiration does connect since it is all based around flowers and composition of said flowers. The biggest challenge I faced on this project was probably trying to put together my actual flower buds as shaping it proved to be difficult. This project ties in with some of my other projects with the expression of beauty in multiple ways. My favorite part was seeing the two flowers complete, side by side with each other specifically. Seeing the contrast between the two flowers was very fun to see. My least favorite part was probably the gluing I had to do in the beginning to form the pots. I hope others are able to view my work and see my message about beauty.
Connecting to the ACT:
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
There is a good cause effect relationship between my inspiration and my artwork. I am exploring the arrangement of my piece and they are doing the same in theirs. They are also sculpting a flower to show off beauty and I am doing the same as well. I am also bringing out the colors I use too like the inspiration does.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
We are going over a similar topic of beauty and showing how we can express it and see it.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Generalizations and conclusions I made while researching is that showing off beauty and having something that is beautiful is a form of art and is very expressive. It can be seen in many different ways.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea or theme around my research was finding a way to show off beauty and express it.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Inferences I made while reading my research were that beauty is very important and it can be seen in many different ways.
There is a good cause effect relationship between my inspiration and my artwork. I am exploring the arrangement of my piece and they are doing the same in theirs. They are also sculpting a flower to show off beauty and I am doing the same as well. I am also bringing out the colors I use too like the inspiration does.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
We are going over a similar topic of beauty and showing how we can express it and see it.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Generalizations and conclusions I made while researching is that showing off beauty and having something that is beautiful is a form of art and is very expressive. It can be seen in many different ways.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea or theme around my research was finding a way to show off beauty and express it.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Inferences I made while reading my research were that beauty is very important and it can be seen in many different ways.
Citations (MLA):
“Dale Chihuly.” Encyclopædia Britannica, www.britannica.com/biography/Dale-Chihuly. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
“Dale Chihuly.” Smithsonian American Art Museum, americanart.si.edu/artist/dale-chihuly-859. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
“Dappled Chalk Violet Ikebana with Fuchsia Frog Foot - Dale Chihuly - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, artsandculture.google.com/asset/dappled-chalk-violet-ikebana-with-fuchsia-frog-foot-dale-chihuly/LwH-s15tr44T9A. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
Fabergé, House of Carl. “House of Carl Fabergé: Imperial Anemones: Russian, St. Petersburg.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/238800. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
“Flower Study of a Violet - House of Fabergé (Russian, 1842–1918) - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, artsandculture.google.com/asset/flower-study-of-a-violet-house-of-faberg%C3%A9-russian-1842%E2%80%931918/rwGY9VDyG8gDiw. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
“Flower Study of Forget-Me-Nots - House of Fabergé (Russian, 1842–1918) - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, artsandculture.google.com/asset/flower-study-of-forget-me-nots-house-of-faberg%C3%A9-russian-1842%E2%80%931918/OQGsbI-xNOp0kQ. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
Sandrey, Diccon. “Ikebana: All You Need to Know about Japanese Flower Art.” Japan Objects, 9 May 2022, japanobjects.com/features/ikebana.
“Dale Chihuly.” Smithsonian American Art Museum, americanart.si.edu/artist/dale-chihuly-859. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
“Dappled Chalk Violet Ikebana with Fuchsia Frog Foot - Dale Chihuly - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, artsandculture.google.com/asset/dappled-chalk-violet-ikebana-with-fuchsia-frog-foot-dale-chihuly/LwH-s15tr44T9A. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
Fabergé, House of Carl. “House of Carl Fabergé: Imperial Anemones: Russian, St. Petersburg.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/238800. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
“Flower Study of a Violet - House of Fabergé (Russian, 1842–1918) - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, artsandculture.google.com/asset/flower-study-of-a-violet-house-of-faberg%C3%A9-russian-1842%E2%80%931918/rwGY9VDyG8gDiw. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
“Flower Study of Forget-Me-Nots - House of Fabergé (Russian, 1842–1918) - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, artsandculture.google.com/asset/flower-study-of-forget-me-nots-house-of-faberg%C3%A9-russian-1842%E2%80%931918/OQGsbI-xNOp0kQ. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
Sandrey, Diccon. “Ikebana: All You Need to Know about Japanese Flower Art.” Japan Objects, 9 May 2022, japanobjects.com/features/ikebana.