one more rendering

to get a better feel of what I want my space to be like, I combined my renderings of my light fixture and bench.  Its nice to be able to see at least roughly how they'll interact. 

Here's a rendering of what i've decided on for my bench portion of my show.  It consists of a stool and a bench, playing off some of the same social/public space ideas that I've been working with in my other pieces.  The seat will be upholstered plywood (cut on the CNC) and the base (as much as I've decided so far) will be plate and tube steel.

My light fixture has also been starting to take shape.  The images shown are:  

Templates used for making the shade and cap portion

Plywood mockup of shade with cap

Actual shade with veneer and plexi showing the connection method (steel rod and small o-rings)

Veneer as it looks with light shining from behind

(Soon to be) wall mounted plywood box (same veneer as shades) that the lights will be suspended from

In addition to these things, I have also completed fabricating the steel tube pieces that will be fixed to the wall mounted box, though have yet to photograph them.  I will post images as soon as this happens.  

the molds for my glasses have been wrapped in plaster, dried, and then cut open.  This just leaves the inner portions which will be turned on the lathe.

Position Paper Outline

I.  Introduction

-Thesis Statement -- Functional Objects with ulterior motives/Design as a means of communicating ideas

II.  Visual Influences

-Everyday "ordinary" and "unassuming" objects

-Historical/Classic designs

-citing artists/designers that have influenced me/why/how have I interpreted their work

-Color and material used to emphasize function or formal element

III.  Conceptual Influences

-Sociology/public interaction/social dilema/sharing/compromise/isolation

-citing research done on this topic as well as personal observation and experience

-Ordinary objects -- what they are vs what they're capable of

-Light heartedness/humor/ sense of playfulness and curiosity

-why this is important in my work/why I feel it is important in design in general

IV.  Working artists/designers that I am influenced by/can relate to... 

-Droog

-Marti Guixe

- why these artists and designers? 

(Note) I may or may not use this topic in my final paper... I haven't decided yet whether its important to the overall argument

V.  Conclusion

-How and in what direction I would like to see my work continue

-How I feel my work relates to the bigger art/design picture

fun with silicone

Here is an in-process shot of making my molds for my line of glassware.  I've decided to try to cast them as opposed to doing a found/altered object.  Something about the act of making them makes them feel more mine, also I think visually they will be more effective as a group since I have control over color, texture, etc.  As of right now, the plan is to make them clear, but a discussion I had today about what possibilities or implications might lie in adding color has made me reconsider.

the begining

Objects included:

A line of accessories 

A lamp for social spaces

A bench/group seating of some kind

My senior show will consist of two distinct lines.  The first will include a light fixture and seating arrangement intended for public/social use, and the second will be a line of household accessories.

The lamp and group seating will deal with being in public, situations that arise, and how an object can impact how you interact with the people around you as well as the object...  in a way an experiment to see if an object can break the ice between strangers.  The lamp concept I have in mind involves and adjustable "compromise" lamp.  The user pulls down on a fixture directly above their head to get better light, but as the light is pulled down a light on the other end of the same cord is pulled up, giving another person less light, so a compromise must be reached between the two.  The bench/seating is still in the concepting stages, but will deal with similar issues.  My research for this has been reading on the theories of sociology and public etiquette, as well as personal observations and curiosities.  

The line of accessories is titled "This seems like a bad idea." It consists of every day objects whose functions have been altered, giving a first impression of a dysfunctional object until closer observation reveals a new function.  Ex. a drinking glass with a small hole in the side prevents the user from filling it all the way to the top without spilling, but the amount it can be filled up is actually a unit of measure.  The intent is to have the viewer take a second look at objects they take for granted, to have them reconsider what other possibilities lie in everyday things.. in the most lighthearted way.

Generally speaking, my work comes from two separate trains of thought, one not taking precedent over the other, so it would be inappropriate for me to choose only one way of working to display in my final show.  Though these two lines deal with different issues and will be aesthetically quite different, they both deal with breaking down of assumptions, whether it be in public places or ordinary objects, so I feel that conceptually they are already tied together.  In my show space, they will interact as one cohesive grouping, perhaps in how I choose to display them.