Organic vs Industrial
Title: Your Scales
Size: 18 x 8 cm
Medium: Plastic spoons and hot glue
February 2017
The Meaning
The word "scales" it is not used often in out daily vocabulary, but we often use it on the way we act and express ourselves. The animal that comes to mind when the word "scales" is heard is a fish because they are made out of scales, but I wanted to create another animal that we as humans were able to relate more to. I chose to create a mermaid due to its fine qualities. Mermaids are half human, which represent us, the way we live and act. The most interesting part of mermaids is the scales, because they are rare to be found in humans. However, humans do have scales, they are invisible scales, they represent the way we have certain boundaries towards one another, how we can never know someone to the fullest because all of the scales that are in the way and one is never going to be able to see all of the scales due to the massive amount of scales on a human. The scales are part of our daily lives and we do not notice them because they are invisible and because they are all different. The fact that one will never get to know someone to the fullest is due to these invisible scales and that is what "Your Scales" represents.
Experimentation
At the beginning I kept wondering how I was going to be able to construct the sculpture, my two options were to either do a flat sculpture on a plane or do an actual standing sculpture with form, positive and negative space, just like Hovey creates his sculptures. I decided to create an sculpture which would give a feeling of volume and space to the area.
While I was creating the piece it was extremely difficult to figure out how to manipulate the spoons in order to arrange them in the pattern that I initially wanted to persuade, I wanted to have symmetry and unity on the final piece; the completion of my initial idea was not possible du to the shape that the spoons had. I decided to cut the first spoon and make it the base of the sculpture, because a whole spoon did not perform successfully.
Overall I was able to create this project with little to no flaws due to the goals that I had on mind, however there were times where I wish I had done things differently and experimented before creating the final piece.
While I was creating the piece it was extremely difficult to figure out how to manipulate the spoons in order to arrange them in the pattern that I initially wanted to persuade, I wanted to have symmetry and unity on the final piece; the completion of my initial idea was not possible du to the shape that the spoons had. I decided to cut the first spoon and make it the base of the sculpture, because a whole spoon did not perform successfully.
Overall I was able to create this project with little to no flaws due to the goals that I had on mind, however there were times where I wish I had done things differently and experimented before creating the final piece.
Process
1. Finding inspiration
In order to have some guidance on what I wanted to do I started researching artist who created sculptures made out of every day objects. I came across Gary Hovey who is an artist who works with steal eating utensils and he creates sculpture to represent nature or other natural elements that he enjoys.
When I looked at his work I decided that I wanted to use spoons, but I needed to find another way to create this since I did not have tools that Hovey has when it comes to creating his work. After I gave it some thought I decided that I was still going to use spoons, but I was going to use plastic spoons. Plastic spoons will allow me to shape and modify the sculpture without using the tools that I did not have.
In order to have some guidance on what I wanted to do I started researching artist who created sculptures made out of every day objects. I came across Gary Hovey who is an artist who works with steal eating utensils and he creates sculpture to represent nature or other natural elements that he enjoys.
When I looked at his work I decided that I wanted to use spoons, but I needed to find another way to create this since I did not have tools that Hovey has when it comes to creating his work. After I gave it some thought I decided that I was still going to use spoons, but I was going to use plastic spoons. Plastic spoons will allow me to shape and modify the sculpture without using the tools that I did not have.
2. Finding Ideas
When I was looking at Gary Hovey's work I found that he usually focuses his work on nature and animals. He is able to create real life looking animals with his medium, thus I decided to create an animal too, but I wanted the animal to be somewhat close to humans. When doing research I came across an animal who there is not a lot of evidence of it existence, but this animal is clearly connected to humans; mermaids are half-human, which is a great because the fact that a mermaid is considered a mythical creature who are part human and behave somewhat like a human, but also like an animal in order to survive.
When I was looking at Gary Hovey's work I found that he usually focuses his work on nature and animals. He is able to create real life looking animals with his medium, thus I decided to create an animal too, but I wanted the animal to be somewhat close to humans. When doing research I came across an animal who there is not a lot of evidence of it existence, but this animal is clearly connected to humans; mermaids are half-human, which is a great because the fact that a mermaid is considered a mythical creature who are part human and behave somewhat like a human, but also like an animal in order to survive.
3. Planning
When planning my work I believe it is necessary to sketch some ideas in order to come up with the best design for the final piece. I created three different sketches to visualize some of the ideas that I could create with the spoons. The first idea is a sketch where I drew a fan made out of plastic spoons, this was going to exhibit the meaning to some extend on trying to push people away and never letting them get close to yourself.
The second idea is a sketch were I drew a flower or two which would
represent the way that a person opens up to another differently, it all depends on the mood or personality of the person.
My final idea was a sketch were I drew a bowl made out of spoons, I liked the idea that some people feed off someone else's food, therefore I decided to create a bowl made out of spoons.
After I extended my research the idea that interested me the most was the scales on a fish/mermaid, I decided to create a mermaid with spoons because it connects more to the meaning and it has more visual imagery for the viewer.
The mermaid idea was to create the whole mermaid, but then I realized that I mermaid is only half scales and the other half is human, therefore by only creating the tale the meaning would be exhibited more clearly this way. The tale would have the scale sand it will create a much greater significance to the viewer.
When planning my work I believe it is necessary to sketch some ideas in order to come up with the best design for the final piece. I created three different sketches to visualize some of the ideas that I could create with the spoons. The first idea is a sketch where I drew a fan made out of plastic spoons, this was going to exhibit the meaning to some extend on trying to push people away and never letting them get close to yourself.
The second idea is a sketch were I drew a flower or two which would
represent the way that a person opens up to another differently, it all depends on the mood or personality of the person.
My final idea was a sketch were I drew a bowl made out of spoons, I liked the idea that some people feed off someone else's food, therefore I decided to create a bowl made out of spoons.
After I extended my research the idea that interested me the most was the scales on a fish/mermaid, I decided to create a mermaid with spoons because it connects more to the meaning and it has more visual imagery for the viewer.
The mermaid idea was to create the whole mermaid, but then I realized that I mermaid is only half scales and the other half is human, therefore by only creating the tale the meaning would be exhibited more clearly this way. The tale would have the scale sand it will create a much greater significance to the viewer.
4. Gathering Materials
Once I was done creating the sketches I had to gather the materials, by buying the necessary and some extra just in case. Once I had the materials I decided to experiment on the cutting process and I found that by using a cutting plier was the best way to separate the handle from the spoons, I was quickly able to dismantle the spoons and began to work.
Once I was done creating the sketches I had to gather the materials, by buying the necessary and some extra just in case. Once I had the materials I decided to experiment on the cutting process and I found that by using a cutting plier was the best way to separate the handle from the spoons, I was quickly able to dismantle the spoons and began to work.
5. Bringing the sketches to life
Once I was ready to start assembling the piece I took a hot glue gun and three spoons, I glues two of them to a single spoon and them let them cool down before applying another spoon. This process took a while, but I wanted the spoons to create a sense of scales (the scales on a mermaids tale) that would bring to life the spoons and create something natural out of industrial materials.
Once I was ready to start assembling the piece I took a hot glue gun and three spoons, I glues two of them to a single spoon and them let them cool down before applying another spoon. This process took a while, but I wanted the spoons to create a sense of scales (the scales on a mermaids tale) that would bring to life the spoons and create something natural out of industrial materials.
6. Adding the final touches
Once I was done creating a basic shape with the spoons I started creating an oval shape to represent the overall form of the piece. The spoons were not easy to manipulate, however I was able to produce a shape where the scales were clearly visible. I used about a total of 46 plastic spoons and the fact that I used white made the scales more visible, yet clean and simple.
Once I was done creating a basic shape with the spoons I started creating an oval shape to represent the overall form of the piece. The spoons were not easy to manipulate, however I was able to produce a shape where the scales were clearly visible. I used about a total of 46 plastic spoons and the fact that I used white made the scales more visible, yet clean and simple.
Artist Inspiration
Gary Hovey
Artist (Sculpture) |
"Since I can't work a regular job anymore, making my art gives me purpose. I want my story to inspire others to look for what they can do despite what has happened to them." Hovey is an inspiring artist who is not able to work like the average person due to the fact that he diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Hovey enjoys his work because the sculptures that he creates are about things that he enjoys, just like nature, wildlife, welding and humor. He accomplishes his sculptures by using stainless steel forks, knifes and spoons; the medium that he uses create different textures throughout his sculptures which focuses on making organic figure out of industrials materials, these were the things that inspired me the most, therefore I decided to take the initiative and also create an organic sculpture made out of industrial materials. |
Pork and Spoons
Medium: Stainless steal spoons
25.4 x 40.64 x 15.24 cm
Medium: Stainless steal spoons
25.4 x 40.64 x 15.24 cm
Reflection
"Your Scales" was a success due to the overall look of the final piece. I was able to find all of the materials needed and create this piece which clearly represented the meaning and was able to meat the goal of making an organic piece out of industrial materials. I was able to accomplish this sculpture by overcoming some obstacles, just like I stated on the experimentation. Some things that I would change if I were to recreate this sculpture would be to experiment more before creating the finals piece, I would also try to cut all of the spoons at once ad not as I glued them together because it was too overwhelming having to cut and glue all at the same time and finally I would create the piece in steps and make row by row, instead of line by line. Overall I am pleased by how this sculpture turned out because I was able to use my artist inspiration work and meaning and incorporate it into my own work, thus "Your Scales" became a great medium to represent and exhibit its meaning.
ACT Questions
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
Your Scales was inspired by Pork and Spoons, which was created by Gary Hovey. It was clearly visible that this sculpture was made out of spoons as well as "Your Scales", this was uniform due to the goal of this sculpture and its meaning. The organic of the spoons and the natural of animals was a perfect balance between both of our sculptures.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
I was able to research Hovey on his own website, therefore he was bias about his own work, but he was also able to clearly explain the medium and the process on which he creates his sculptures.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Throughout my research I realized that there are many people with health conditions who are able to create amazing artifacts and sometimes our culture does not give them a lot of credit. I came to the conclusion that not only this happens in out culture, it happens around the whole world and thanks to Hovey and many more like him, artist with issues are able to be treated as the great artist that they have become over their experience.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The theme that I focused on was oneself vs humanity. My research h was based on how individuals interact with each other as well and some mythical creatures, this research made me realize that they inspiration that I was researching was the best path to take in order to create the best meaning for my piece.
5) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
The inferences that I made while doing my research were that there are many artist, just like Hovey, that no matter their condition they are able to complete and create amazing work that guides them to the path to success.
Your Scales was inspired by Pork and Spoons, which was created by Gary Hovey. It was clearly visible that this sculpture was made out of spoons as well as "Your Scales", this was uniform due to the goal of this sculpture and its meaning. The organic of the spoons and the natural of animals was a perfect balance between both of our sculptures.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
I was able to research Hovey on his own website, therefore he was bias about his own work, but he was also able to clearly explain the medium and the process on which he creates his sculptures.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Throughout my research I realized that there are many people with health conditions who are able to create amazing artifacts and sometimes our culture does not give them a lot of credit. I came to the conclusion that not only this happens in out culture, it happens around the whole world and thanks to Hovey and many more like him, artist with issues are able to be treated as the great artist that they have become over their experience.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The theme that I focused on was oneself vs humanity. My research h was based on how individuals interact with each other as well and some mythical creatures, this research made me realize that they inspiration that I was researching was the best path to take in order to create the best meaning for my piece.
5) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
The inferences that I made while doing my research were that there are many artist, just like Hovey, that no matter their condition they are able to complete and create amazing work that guides them to the path to success.