One Fine Box 4th November
Last week's Fine Art was a group session. Our group made a
3D interpretation of the engraving Melancholia I by Durer. Today's lesson was
the first of three that will be my own take on the subject. This was difficult
in many ways; I already had ideas that I put into the first interpretation and
I wanted to make something different to that one, but it still had to have the
same theme as the engraving.
After doing a bit of research, the idea of a maze came into
my mind. I wanted to draw on the fact that depression can be where it feels
like being trapped in a maze, as well as having a weight on your shoulders that
makes it hard to get up in the morning and carry on with the day ahead. Even
with people's encouragement you still cant find your way out of the depression.
This linked in with the angel in the engraving. Despite having the tools around
her to create, she still couldn't bring herself to do anything. With this in
mind I wanted to have a image of a maze, and at the centre would be a figure in
a box. They would be surrounded, wanting to communicate and find their way out
of the depression, but they are unwilling or unable to do so. Hanging over them
would be a symbol of depression, a black dog. It would be heavy and oppressive,
almost as if it might crush them.
While talking to the tutor, the idea of taking the puzzle
side further came up. Instead of making a painting I thought about making it
more of a puzzle, or something the viewer could interact with. We talked about
it being a cube or die, with the sides showing different states of depression.
After talking it through, I had a lot to think about. The idea of the box
really interested me. I liked the idea of being able to lift the artwork and
actually feel and imagine the weight of carrying the depression with you. If I was
to do a box, I needed to get it done today so I could have time to paint it. As
soon as the group knew what they were doing I was off to 3D to make my box.
I'd never made anything in wood before and making a box
seemed like an easy task. I was wrong. It needed precise measuring and a steady
hand to make a cube. It started with measuring. I wanted the box about 14in by
13in, but the problem was finding materials to make it.
After a quick look I found a large piece of wood that was
ideal for what I wanted. It was only slightly smaller then the original size I
had in mind. With the pieces mapped out it was ready to be cut and time for me
to have a go on the saws. It was very much straightforward, all I had to do was
cut the sides and top out making sure I kept everything even. I had two goes
with the saw, once to cut the sides of my cube down so they would fit together,
and another to cut the top off them. This took more time than I thought as I
had to make sure the measurements were all correct before I could start cutting.
After that was done I had to fix my box together. I started by clamping the
sides so I could have them standing upright, then I glued them in place. After
I had done the sides of my box, I could then fix the bottom onto it with more glue.
This was a messy procedure, but it was all worth it. After using a couple of
nails to make sure everything was secure, my box was done.
Thanks to the help of the lovely people down at 3D, I was
able to complete my box by the end of the day. Now all I have to do is paint it
and I'll be finished.
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