Soap Carving

In Process Photos:

Sculpture Happening: Reflection

Artist Statement

For my body sculpture happening, I focused on reflection. I used broken mirror pieces, CDs, glitter, and aluminum foil tape to create the reflective effect. In the photos and video, I reflected natural and artificial lighting onto the piece. I expressed self-reflection, which is essential in the continuous development of the mind, body, and soul. The broken mirrors express distorted body images created by socially constructed ideas of 'beauty.' I used the CDs to add vibrant colors, which overpower the negative side of self-reflection that is portrayed by the broken mirrors. Together, the broken mirrors and the CDs reflect the light sources beautifully, as well as resemble positive self-reflection.

Video Link

Close up

In Process photo, reflecting natural light

In process photo

Close up of detail

Reflection on ceiling

Architectural Relief

Inspiration:

Gothic Architecture details (Photo taken by artist)

Gothic Architecture (Photo taken by artist)

Art Deco

In Process Photos: 

Artist Statement

For this project, I was inspired by Art Deco and Gothic architecture. I had a lot of fun finding inspiration for this particular project. I even had a chance to visit a cathedral in Columbia, South Carolina, where I took pictures for inspiration. Unfortunately, I am not satisfied with the final outcome. I was satisfied with the pieces separately, but they did not work out together as well as I had imagined. 

On Longing

"The body is the primary mode of perceiving scale."

"Capacity of objects to serve as traces of authentic experience."

"The souvenir reduces the public, the monumental, and the 3D into the miniature, which can be enveloped by the body."

"Nostalgia cannot be sustained without loss."

 "To have a souvenir of the exotic is to possess both a specimen and a trophy."

 "The place of origin must remain unavailable in order for desire to be generated."

Memento

My hometown is Charleston, South Carolina. When I was seven years old, at lot of free time was spent at the beach that summer. One of my most found memories occurred at the Isle of Palms beach. My sisters, older cousins and I collected sand dollars and flew kites all day. The kites were tangled up easily because of the wind, so my older cousins helped me untangle them. I remember looking up to my cousins and thinking how great they were. This memory is a an important reminder about how grateful I am to be surrounded by such amazing people to admire and learn from.

The Three Materials:
Driftwood
Represents the beach and also serves as a base for the object.
White Thread
Represents the kites my cousins and I flew. I wrapped it around the driftwood to represent how the kites would get tangled up.
Broken Sand Dollar
Represents the memory of collecting sand dollars at the beach. I chose a broken sand dollar to represent the distance I feel between being seven years old when this memory occurred.

Soap Changes

Before any changes were made to the soap panda. (Changes were made to the one on the left.)

Step 1: I cut the panda into 4 different parts with a utility knife. This step is subtractive because pieces of the soap fell off in the cutting process

Step 2: I painted the head and the mid section blue, and the parts with the legs pink. I also mixed the two paints, adding purple here and there; Additive

Step 3: In this step I used superglue to reattach the pieces in an inverted way. This step is subtractive because by reattaching in an inverted way, I took away the panda's original form.

Step 4: I stuck pins into the panda; Additive

Step 5: I wrapped white thread around the now deformed panda. The pins helped to secure the thread; Additive

Step 7: Dripped green paint onto the sculpture; Additive

Steps 8 and 9: Stuck in the microwave for 30 seconds and sprayed with blue spray paint; Additive

Step 10: Covered in tin foil and placed in boiling water for 5 minutes; Additive

Step 11: After removing the pins, I stuck the panda in the microwave for 30 seconds; Additive

Step 12: Poured pink paint onto the soap- Additive

Step 13: Sprayed blue spray paint; additive

Step 14: Poured rainbow sprinkles on; Additive

Step 15: Microwaved for one minute; Subtractive

Step 16: Added more sprinkles and pink paint; Additive

Step 17: Microwaved for 60 seconds; Subtractive

Step 18: Microwaved for another 60 seconds; I consider this one to be additive because it expanded and a puffy texture developed.

Step 19: More sprinkles and pink paint! Additive

Step 20: Placed into clear bowl, added green, pink, and yellow paint.  I also stuck the pins back in. Additive