Fundamentals of 3D Design, Class Project #2 – Abstract Sculpture w/ Wood & Wire

“Explosive Times” aka “Critical Mass”

Movement & Variety

Variety is shown through the different shapes, sizes, and colors of PLA that form the “face” of the piece, along with the varying lengths of metal coils. Movement is suggested by the coils extending outward, creating the feeling that the structure is exploding and guiding the viewer’s eye around the sculpture.

The core is made from eight 2×4 wood pieces cut with a circular saw and screwed together into a solid cube. It is covered with recycled PLA, a biodegradable plastic made from corn and vegetable starches. Metal coils were cut, spiraled into pigtail-like forms, and attached to PLA covered cardboard pieces to create the “floating” elements. The coils were then screwed into the wooden core.

Originally, the edges were meant to be rounded. However, the reclaimed wood I used turned out to be oak or another hardwood, making it difficult to sand down. Due to time constraints, I kept the cube’s sharp edges. This ended up working well, especially after I had trouble attaching PLA directly to the wood. Since hot glue and super glue were ineffective and I didn’t have epoxy or wood glue available, I added a recycled cardboard layer around the cube to give the glue I had a better surface to adhere to.

The piece invites viewers to explore its details and form their own interpretations, almost like a visual game of “I Spy.”

1. Which principle in the pair that you have chosen is foreground, and how does the other principle support it?

Variety is foreground, with the various colors, sizes, and shapes of the PLA meant to draw your eye initially. Movement supports it through the way the metal coils make it seem as if the structure is exploding outwards, further drawing the eyes to look around the sculpture.

2. How does the piece balance organic vs. geometric forms?

Many of the pieces are standard geometric shapes you’d find anywhere, circles, squares, ect… While many of them are more organic, like some of the tree shaped pieces. All of them are used in conjunction to further drive the Variety part of the sculpture.

3. How does the sculpture communicate a clearly readable content, meaning or energy?

The intent is to show frustration with the current times and state of our world. The sculpture is meant as a representation/likeness of our planet. Diverse, disjointed, and volatile. With different portions of the crust exploding away and out from the planet.