36 Textures

Week 2

I am definitely developing a love/hate relationship with SketchUp. I sometimes am just ecstatic about what I can produce in the program and other times beyond frustrated that I cannot make it do what I want it to do.  This is my week 2 assignment.  There were supposed to be 2 sets of stairs with this one and, while I was able to manage getting a set of stairs from the ground level to the upstairs (despite the fact that it does not really work with my design), I could not figure out how to do the stairs to the sub-ground level (you can kind of see my attempt with the spiral in one of the 'bulbs' which was supposed to be the support for my steps).  After tutorial I pretty much started this one over so this is all I have for this assignment.

Stair Sections:

Sketch up model based on below section: Radiate and Saturate

Artists' materials and production

Rosalie Gascoigne, Banner 1

Banner 1 is composed of all vertical pieces of yellow street signs and contrasting blue slats. According to the article Landscape of Shards by Felicity Fenner, the form and arrangements of Gascoigne’s works were determined, largely, by her materials. As Fenner notes:

“The found objects which are the primary components of [Gasgoigne’s] work are typically cut or broken into smaller pieces, but beyond that they are rarely altered. They range from used wooden planks or slats, reflective road signs, sheets of corrugated iron and linoleum floor tiles,” [1]

While unable to find anything specific on this partic

ular piece it, undoubtedly, falls into the same category with her other work as being ‘found art’. Gascoigne would drive to rubbish tips and paddocks to find her materials. She was careful that no meaning be derived from the way she composed the letters and words of her street signs in her pieces; instead Gascoigne was more interested in the visual appeal of the lettering and typography. [2]

Fiona Hall, Nelumbo nucifera; nelum (Sinhala); thamareri (Tamil); lotus, 1999

This work is part of Fiona Hall’s collection Paradisus Terrestris in which Hall manipulated sardine tins into “gleefully immodest displays of sexual pleasure.” The piece is made out of aluminum and steel. This collection had three incarnations; the 1999 re-workings (of which this piece is a part) included both plants indigenous to Australia and Sri Lanka so as to emphasize the theme of “cultural exchange, including trade in commodities,”. [3]  The collection addresses the idea of paradise:

“Within each half-opened can sits a naked human body part, while plant life sprouts above. Beneath these top two laters, Hall adds language. The three systems make us consider what we share with plants.” [4]

According to Stephanie Raddock in the article Trade [The artwork of Fiona Hall] the plant forms of this collection use only the surface area of metal in the sardine tin and there are no joins.  [5]

[1] Fenner, Felicity. 1999. Landscape of shards. Art in America 87 (2): 88.

[2] Fink, Hannah. 1997. That sidling sight: wondering about the art of Rosalie Gascoigne. Art and Australia 35 (2): 200-208.

[3] Davidson, Kate. 2005. The art of Fiona Hall. Art and Australia 43 (1): 14-15.

[4] 2008. Fiona Hall. Australian Government: Culture and Recreation Portal. http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/fionahall/ (accessed March 23, 2009)

[5] Raddock, Stephanie. 2001. Trade [The artwork of Fiona Hall]. Artlink 21 (4): 48-53.

Week 1 - Section and SketchUp

SketchUp Images:

Based on Section 1 below: Radiant and Linear.  Materials used: Stone, glass, brick, and wood.

18 Sections:

1. Upper Left: Radiant & Linear

2. Lower Left: Radiant & Scramble

3. Upper Right: Radiant & Saturate

4. Lower Right: Emerge & Linear

5. Upper Left: Emerge & Scramble

6: Lower Left: Emerge & Saturate

7. Upper Right: Flora & Linear

8. Lower Right: Flora & Scramble

9. Upper Right: Flora & Saturate

10. Lower Right: Linear & Radiant

11: Upper Left: Scramble & Radiant

12: Lower Left: Saturate & Radiant

13. Upper Left: Linear & Emerge

14. Lower Left: Scramble & Emerge

15. Upper Right: Saturate & Emerge

16: Lower Right: Linear & Flora

17. Top: Scramble & Flora

18. Bottom: Scramble & Flora

FIRST POST

BEST PIECE OF CREATIVE WORK AT HIGH SCHOOL:

This was probably my most successful painting in high school studio art.  The assignment was to create our own portrayal of  The Temptation of Saint Anthony, a theme made famous by Hieronymus Bosch and Salvador Dali.  I was 18 at the time of this assignment so I focused on the idea of what deadly 'demons' teenagers are most likely to face.  The temptations I settled on were sex, drugs, and suicide.  The razor blade represents drugs and suicide while the blood is representative of suicide and lust.  The face reflected in the blade is my own and I intentionally depicted my face in unnatural colors to create a division between the adolescent and the temptations.  Obviously this painting is a bit morbid but I still think it's a striking image and an interesting take on an old theme.

GREAT PIECE OF ARCHITECTURE:

This is the Seymour house by Bart Prince in Los Altos, California.  According to the architect's website a portion of the original house on this site was moving down the hill due to earthquakes and tremors so the owners called in Bart Prince to replace everything that was no longer structurally sound.  The mature trees on the site were all carefully maintained (www.bartprince.com).  I really like buildings that have a sense of fluidity and motion; I hate too many straight lines.  I'm a big fan of Frank Gehry and Antoni Gaudi but wanted to find something not quite so famous for this post.  I find this piece particularly interesting because the structure contrasts so starkly with its surroundings but is still quite organic.  I think the trees and the building compliment each other rather than work against each other to create a feel of synergy between the built and natural environment.

ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH OF SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL:

My family owns property in the Shenandoah Valley area in Virginia in the United States; this picture was taken on a walk to the property from the resort across the river.  Shenandoah is an amazing place to holiday; our property is in the midst of hills, lakes, and woods.  This was a quick snapshot and, amazingly, I was able to capture the intense blue hues with absolutely no post-shot manipulation.  I almost didn't take this photo but am so happy I did as it remains one of my favorite personal photos.  I love the color and the juxtaposition of textures between the rocks, water, and lily pads.  I also think it reflects, quite well, the sense of peace you experience when visiting Shenandoah.

FIONA HALL:

FLORA, EMERGE, RADIANT

TRACEY MOFFAT:

REVERIE, ASCEND ,SURREAL

ROSALIE GASCOIGNE:

SATURATION, SCRAMBLE, LINEAR