Process
Inspiration and Idea Development
I like the curved nature of the pages in these images. Often books are very uniform and precise, so I like the contrast of adding curvilinear lines and shapes into a square object. I also enjoyed the idea of potentially creating a “black hole”. This speaks to my perception of reading and how I often feel sucked into a fantasy world, leaving reality behind.
Work-in-process
I started by exploring different types of folds, cuts, and rolls to see what I preferred. I explored many different combinations and styles. Once I picked the book I would be using for the sculpture, I noticed it was about biology. This made me think of DNA, cells, and the human brain. I became inspire by these ideas and decided to cut strips of paper in the pages and roll them to mimic the curved nature of these objects in biology.
Critique and Reflection
Critiques
- During the process I received feedback that it seemed quite busy, and that it needed more balance.
- Another critique given discussed the amount of rolls, and whether or not to add more.
Reflection
I thought about the comment pertaining to the piece’s business. I did agree, so I added strips that extended outwards past the boundaries of the book. I feel that its creates movement and draws the eye away from the busy centre of the book. I also like the metaphoric value it adds, and how books are often loaded with information just waiting to burst forth. It looks almost as if information is pouring off the pages.
In the end I did add more rolls, and I feel this benefited the sculpture. I was very happy to receive feedback because it can be difficult to know what your sculpture needs when looking at it for hours on end. It helps to have an objective observer to express what they see visually.
Product
With this sculpture I hope to showcase the powerful nature of the written word, as well as the many thoughts, ideas, and stories all rolled up into a book. When we open a book, we can be drawn into its fantasy world or a flurry of new ideas, beliefs, and information can burst forth. I hope to achieve this message through the elements of my sculpture.
Artist Statement
Name: Jeremy Wilson
Media: Book
Title: A Flurry of Information
The inspiration for this work came from the curvilinear lines often seen in nature. Whether it is DNA, cells, or even synapses in the brain, curves and rounded edges are natural to our environment. This sculpture represents the wealth of information waiting to burst forth from books. There is so much knowledge and vigor packed inside; I want this sculpture to convey the excitement of beginning a new book, and how it can sometimes be an overwhelming experience.
I want to create a sense of texture and contrast within the artwork. The rolled strips of paper add depth and another dimension to the flatness of the book. I added extra strips of paper to emphasize the idea of information pouring off the pages. I had never worked with sculpting a book before, but I used scissors to curl the strips of paper in a similar technique for creating curls with ribbon.
After receiving feedback on the piece, I think it would have been stronger if I had tried to conceal strips with images on them, as they distract the viewer. Overall I am happy with the effect that I aimed to achieve, and I really enjoyed working with this material. It felt overwhelming at first, given how many pages there were, but in the end I feel it helped further my vision of expressing the overpowering nature of the written word. I would love to work with a book again to see what other creative works could be constructed with this material.