Axiomatic Object
Overview:
Title: Memories Remembered Size: 43cm x 26cm x 44cm Medium: Cardboard Completion date: January 2023 Exhibition text: This cardboard creation, inspired by Shannon Goff, is a scaled recreation of a camera that has been in my family for years. Behind the recreation is a deep meaning. The theme of this piece is memories and family. A camera is used to capture those memories so that they can always be remembered and we can forever cherish those memories. |
Inspiration: Shannon Goff
My inspirations for my cardboard piece come from sculptor and artist Shannon Goff. Goff often works with cardboard for her pieces. This is one of the main reasons I looked into her art works for inspiration. Upon looking at her collection of works, I was inspired by how she is able to manipulate the cardboard to effectively replicate the original object. I was inspired by how the clean and cohesive the pieces look. I also want my piece to look cohesive and well thought out. I took inspiration from the trumpet on the left mostly because of the balance of smoothness and corrugation. In the camera that I created there are many parts of it that needed the corrugation. Overall I would say that Shannon Goff's pieces were an amazing inspiration and reference for me. Looking at these pieces motivated me more to create the best recreation of the camera as I possibly could.
Planning
The first step of the planning phase for me was to brainstorm which object I would recreate with the cardboard. The themes I was exploring was family and identity because these are themes I have used in my past art pieces. I decided that I would create a mindmap of different ideas. This mind map is seen on the right. From this mindmap I was able to narrow my ideas down.
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After creating the mind map and thinking about what would best represent the themes I decided I would recreate the camera. I also knew that the camera would be a challenge for me, which is what I wanted. I wanted to push myself with this project. I then sketched out the camera, having the actual camera beside me as reference, from multiple angles. The angles included the front view, top view, right side view, and back view. These sketches later helped me make sure I had all of the components and also helped me manage the measurements of the original camera, so I didn't have to repeatedly measure.
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Process
Before I could even start constructing the project, I had to gather all of the cardboard that I had collected up to this point. I also had to gather all of the tools that I would end up needing. This included the pencils for marking the cardboard, blade for cutting the cardboard, and I even used a box cutter for the thicker and bigger pieces of cardboard. I also planned on using Elmers glue and a hot glue gun for attaching the cardboard pieces. I also had the actual camera with me for better reference, along with a measuring tape in case I needed to remeasure something. On the left is a picture of the supplies that I used.
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The first step was to create the foundation of the camera. I did this by taking two large pieces of cardboard and carefully cutting out the shape that I needed. I made sure that the scale was 3x for these pieces. After that I cut out a rectangle piece that measured 19.05cm by 129.12 cm (7.5 inches by 48 inches). Then I scored one side of the cardboard. This allowed me to wrap it around the two bases. After this I had the base that I needed. From here I could build off of it with the textures and the other components.
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The next step was to build up the base where the lens would be placed. This was done by cutting 3cm wide strips of cardboard. I placed these in a curved shape and then placed a piece of flat cardboard over them. This made the base for the lens. After this step I would be able to assemble and place the lens. After creating the base, I was able to begin construction on the lens. In order to make the lens for the camera I had to cut different strips of cardboard that I would use to make a circle shape. Then I placed a flat piece of cardboard to make a cylindrical shape. From there I corresponded each of the components to how they were on the actual camera and I attached them together. The last thing to do with the lens was to attach it to the camera.
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I then began to work on the smaller components of the camera, such as the small buttons. For all of the round buttons I used the same method, which was to use a paper towel roll, cut to the right size, and then place flat cardboard over it. For the non-round buttons. I used a thin strip of cardboard and shaped it to the size that I needed. Then placed a piece of cardboard over it.
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One of the last steps to was to attach all of the components that had not yet been attached. Also I had to clean up the edges so that the glue was not visible. I took extremely thin layers of the cardboard scraps that I had and glued it over the creases. This made the project look more clean and put together.
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Experimentation
Before I began my project, I used small squares of cardboard to practice some new techniques that I had learned in class. Since working with cardboard for this kind of project is a newer thing for me, I felt that I should practice these techniques before I began working on the actual project. The first skill I worked on was separating the corrugation. I new that this would helpful when it came to making part of the lens and certain parts of the top buttons. I practiced this technique a couple of times until I felt comfortable with it.
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The next skill I worked on was scoring the cardboard in order to curve it into a round shape. This was extremely helpful when it came to making the lens of the camera because it is round. I think learning how to do this technique was definitely easier than the first one. I caught onto it pretty fast, so I didnt have to practice it too much.
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Critique
Overall, I would say that the inspirations I used were very inspiring for my piece. As stated earlier, I was inspired by how clean and cohesive the inspirations were. I think I was able to look up to these pieces and be inspired for my own. The use of the corrugation in the trumpet piece is very similar to what I did for my piece. Particular parts of my piece needed the corrugation and most parts needed the smooth parts of the cardboard. I think that my piece is very spot on to what I wanted it to look like.
Reflection
This project is probably the hardest one I have done so far. I was challenged in the areas of self management and time management. This project was something that I had never done before, especially on this large of a scale. The techniques that I learned will be very useful for other similar projects that I will have to do in the future. I think that the easiest part of this project was getting the base layer done. Everything else after that was tedious and time consuming. However, I really did like this project even through all of the stress and frustration I faced. If I had to do this project again I would for sure use my time wiser. When I would get frustrated with this project I would just stop working on it, which ultimately led to me rushing on it towards the end.
ACT Questions
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause and effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
With my piece and the inspiration pieces I am able to see a cause and effect relationship in relation to the balance of smoothness and corrugation, especially with Shannon Goff's Trumpet piece. Also with the clean lines and cohesiveness there is a cause and effect relationship, that is apparent to the visual eye.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Shannon Goff is someone who is very familiar with carboard and the techniques that come with it. She is able to take everyday objects and recreate them perfectly to where it is still recognizable.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I think the main conclusion I made is that people seem to find comfort in seeing everyday objects recreated in a material that seems so useless to people who are not very artistic. Cardboard is not a material that people often think of making art with.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme around my research is family and memories. The camera represents capturing moments and creating memories that can be remembered and passed down.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
One of the main inferences that I made while doing research was that making the object would be somewhat easy. I thought this just because of how perfect other people's objects looked. This was very deceiving because it was not easy at all.
With my piece and the inspiration pieces I am able to see a cause and effect relationship in relation to the balance of smoothness and corrugation, especially with Shannon Goff's Trumpet piece. Also with the clean lines and cohesiveness there is a cause and effect relationship, that is apparent to the visual eye.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Shannon Goff is someone who is very familiar with carboard and the techniques that come with it. She is able to take everyday objects and recreate them perfectly to where it is still recognizable.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I think the main conclusion I made is that people seem to find comfort in seeing everyday objects recreated in a material that seems so useless to people who are not very artistic. Cardboard is not a material that people often think of making art with.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme around my research is family and memories. The camera represents capturing moments and creating memories that can be remembered and passed down.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
One of the main inferences that I made while doing research was that making the object would be somewhat easy. I thought this just because of how perfect other people's objects looked. This was very deceiving because it was not easy at all.
Citations
"Shannon Goff." Shannon Goff. Web. 19 Jan. 2023.