Embark

This is my most recent Space Research project! A lot of late hours at Bowe St. (the studio) were put into it. Copied and pasted is my artists statement, explaining the project a little further.
                                 

“Embark”

When first given the original assignment, I jumped straight into cutting wood and piecing it together. I didn't have a concrete idea of how I wanted my final product to appear. Somewhere along the line of creating the abstract, seemingly random piece, I began to see resemblances to a boat. I expanded on the navigational theme in the second part of the project by paper macheing the base supporting the boat with the pages of a used atlas. The atlas pages served as my "found object" in the project. Other objects I considered including proved distracting. I think the base of the sculpture is the strongest section of the piece; not only are the ribs of the sphere not physically as sturdy, they are compositionally not as innovative.

I have titled my work "Embark" because of the navigational theme. However, I also relate my personal experience of recently beginning college as the embarkation of my adult life. I plan to explore and travel as widely as I can on my journey. I want to learn about other cultures and commit to lifelong learning.

Since my receiving my critique yesterday, I have removed the ribs of the sphere part of my project and am left with just the atlas-covered base. I want to rework my project, taking the strongest elements and expanding upon them. I have been brainstorming how I could continue the paper macheing process; I am intrigued by art that piles layer on top of layer. Similar to a collage, the layers of paper mache create an interesting texture and in my opinion, give strength to a work.