Main Project: Plans and Inspirations

For my main project, I am still unsure of what I want to do, but I have several inspirations that are guiding me. I plan to do some sort of art piece, with interactive or moving parts. I haven’t yet decided on what type of aesthetic to pursue, but I have a general genre or feeling that I want to capture in the final product. Most of the inspiration photos and ideas that I have capture a small piece of nature, in a sort of quiet and lovely snap shot that has a touch of wonder to it. In this way, I think that I want to create a piece that embodies some fairytale or fantasy elements to it, with natural materials (wood, metal, rocks, nature flora or fauna as subject matter).

I have been inspired by kinetic wooden sculptures. In particular, the one below (left) mimics the motion of a whale swimming via a sectioned sculpture and a crank shaft with support rods, which I find very beautiful. I like the idea of using wood to create mechanical parts, such as gears and drive systems.

A Beautiful Undulating Kinetic Sculpture of Migaloo the White Humpback Whale Swimming Above the Waves Wonderfully Whimsical Kinetic Wooden Automata That Come Alive With the Simple Turn of a Handle

Image 1, Image 2

Similar to this, I have been inspired by laser cutting. I like the idea of laser cutting individual pieces that could be assembled to a 3D sculpture. I also like the idea of laser cutting wooden gears, particularly planetary gears, to allow for interactivity and moving parts. I plan to utilize some sort of laser cut parts in my final project.

Sculptures — YuumeiPin on Laser Cut

Image 3, Image 4

I also was inspired by crystals and rain, and how to sculpt rain. In particular, I am inspired by the dress that Kim Kardashian wore to the 2019 Met Gala. I love how the idea of droplets was conveyed through the medium. I have also been inspired by sun catchers, and crystals, as a beautiful medium that can reflect light.

Kim Kardashian Attends Met Gala 2019 | PEOPLE.comsuncatcher Hashtag Videos on TikTok

Image 5, Image 6 , Image 7

Finally, I have been inspired by a woodsy, mystical aesthetic, that comes from a fairytale or fantasy genre. I like the warmth and happiness of the aesthetic, and that it seems kind and full of light. I feel like this would be a good feeling to pass through any piece of art that I created. I also like the idea of adding some sort of celestial element to the piece that I make, because I feel like it will further embody the feeling of wonder, and a window into a piece of nature that I want to capture.

Fairytale Castle Book Sculpture Book Art Altered Book | Etsywoodland witch aestheticr/NatureIsFuckingLit - ? An African Moon Moths.

Image 8, Image 9, Image 11

I plan to continue to explore these different flavors of aesthetic until I land on a more concrete idea for the final project. I have a general idea of the direction to take, so I will continue to observe and brainstorm more ideas until I can realize a specific path forward.

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4 Comments. Leave new

  • Valerie Welch
    March 7, 2021 11:15 pm

    Hi Jillian!

    I love these aesthetics you’ve identified above. I think it would be great if you could combine them in some way for your final project! Also, I just read a post about graduation, so I’ve got CU on the mind, but if you made a moving Ralphie sculpture the bookstore would HAVE to pay you for the rights to sell it 😉 Just a suggestion haha Keep exploring though, you’ve got some great ideas to work with!

    Reply
    • Jillian Weber
      March 10, 2021 11:23 am

      Thanks Valerie!
      Hahaha, that’s a great idea, I hadn’t thought about doing something like that! I’ll have to see what I can come up with, thanks so much for your help and feedback!

      Reply
  • Andrew Thorson
    March 6, 2021 10:38 am

    I think that you are on a great track with all of the inspirations that you have already for your project. I particularly like your idea of using the laser cutter. I think that by using the laser cutter with wood you will be able to create the woodsy aesthetic, especially if you try to further decorate the wood after laser cutting, for example by staining the wood.

    Reply
    • Jillian Weber
      March 10, 2021 11:26 am

      Hey Andrew!
      Thanks so much, that’s nice to hear. I also am pretty invested in using a laser cutter, and I am hoping for that woodsy aesthetic that you mentioned. I actually hadn’t thought of staining the wood– thank you! I’ll definitely consider that for the final project!

      Reply

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