Project description/assignment. "Come up with a list of 5 groups of objects. Be sure that each thing has a definite boundary (no rainbows, sky, rivers, fields etc (That's right! No rainbows!))." List five things under each category, and number them. Pick one from each group, considering contrast, texture, etc. Create sketches that are visually dynamic and not grounded.
My intent. Create a visually interesting composition with a lot of depth and variety, and tell a story with these objects that is somewhat open to interpretation, but still reflects my dominant mode of thinking about the world, as determined using the "Four types of thinking" test: Abstract systematic. I also intended to play around with the title of the project: Objects in space.
(Scroll to the bottom for the finished piece.)
Lateral thinking, in this case, five lists of things. I thought about the objects that were the focus of my attention during the summer of 2018, and objects that I commonly encounter around the house.
Fasteners used to connect things, such as:
1. L-brackets
2. Screws
3. Nails
4. Hinges
5. Steel hoops
Tools used on a workbench, such as:
1. Screwdriver
2. Screwgun
3. Flat bar
4. Clamps
5. Razor knife
Cups and glasses found in my kitchen cabinet:
1. Small metal cups from Karamanmaras
2. Medium metal cups made in China
3. Large metal cups
4. Ceramic mugs, small and large
5. Mexican blue glass tumblers
Objects found on my desk:
1. Pencils
2. Pens
3. Notebooks
4. Calculators
5. Hardcover books
6. Laptop computer
7. Power supply (test bench)
8. Superglue
9. Hairbrush
10. Comb
11. An ancient slide rule
12. Stop watch
13. Barometer
Objects found in my gun locker:
1. Boxes of bullets
2. Wire cleaning brush
3. Smith and Wesson .357 revolver
4. Leather holsters
5. Glock 9 mm, small and medium
6. 30-30 and 45-70 lever action
7. Field glasses
8. Safety glasses
9. Paper targets
Sketches (click for full size).
Maquettes (click for full size).
The other students in the class thought that my fourth composition was the most "dynamic." (See the little stars they added when asked to choose among them.) My two maquettes are iterations of this composition.
Finished piece (click for full size).
Comments on the finished piece. I don't think I'm smart enough to write a formal artist's statement, but I can try to describe the intent of the drawing.
The story I'm attempting to convey is one of careful, systematic planning from abstract principles of design and engineering, followed through to the completed project. The drawing emanates from a vanishing point on the right, through an engineer's drawing pencil, papers with theoretical scribblings, a book containing engineering and scientific proofs, a ruler, and a slide rule. Spheres in the background provide depth by variation in size, as well as hints of a motivation (planetary exploration). From there, a screwdriver and machine screw symbolize the construction of a physical object, which is the spaceship directed to the vanishing point on the left.
With repeated early drafts of this piece, I experimented with different combinations of objects, and different methods of expressing depth. I found that fewer objects made for a more accessible composition. Also, I originally included some mathematical expressions in the composition, but was convinced that these made the piece less accessible, since most people haven't studied higher math principles.
Fasteners used to connect things, such as:
