Process
Inspiration and Idea Development
When I was looking for inspiration for this project, I began to think about cubes and I immediately thought about the modern art movement of Cubism. Ideas around the 4th dimension were a major influence on Cubist artists, and so I wanted to start there. I looked for inspiration images that focused on the multi-dimensional aspect of the cube. I became inspired by images of a tesseract, which is the 4-dimensional replication of a cube within a cube. I like its geometric complexity.
I then sketched ideas of how I would be able to create a 3-dimensional sculpture that encapsulates the dimensionality of a 4D object. In order to properly view a tesseract cube, one has to see it in motion. My aim was to create a cube sculpture that displayed unity and balance, while still capturing a sense of dynamism and suggested movement.
Work-in-process
At first I tried using the wooden coffee stir-sticks, but quickly discovered I did not like working with them. I then moved onto tiny cubes. I wanted to show the tesseract’s complexity and momentum, so I created a cube, within a cube, within a cube. I hoped to display the dynamic dimensionality of a rotating cube. I also created a base so that I could tilt the cube sculpture on an angle to really emphasize its suggested movement.
Critique and Reflection
Critiques
- When I was initially trying to create my sculpture, I was working with the wooden coffee stir-sticks, and it was very cumbersome trying to ensure that they were all the right sizes and shapes. A classmate suggested I consider using tiny cubes instead.
- Once I had the cube sculpture complete, it seemed like it still needed something to make it more interesting. A suggestion to consider painting the sculpture came forth.
Reflection
I found these pieces of advice very useful. When I was initially working with the coffee stir sticks, it was very hard to achieve the uniform nature that I was hoping for. I also really liked the idea of using tiny cubes to make up larger cubes. This comment completely shifted me to the direction I ended up going.
The idea to consider painting the sculpture was also very helpful. I decided that I didn’t just want to paint it one colour, but to put a painted geometric design on the sculpture to create a sense of tension. Initially I had to paint the entire sculpture white, and came across a lot of issues because the paint did not want to adhere to the cubes very well. I discovered that the wood was absorbing the paint too quickly. I decided to use a paint with a primer and let the sculpture dry between coats. I finally achieved the white base I wanted. Then I used a black marker to add the desired design.
Throughout the process I learned that a sculpture is not always going to turn out how exactly how you originally intended. This was a difficult lesson to learn at first, but after accepting this fact, it became much more enjoyable to fully embrace the process and explore my creativity.
Product
The goal of my sculpture is to create a sense of dynamism. I hope to imply that my sculpture is in a state of motion and flux. As well, my intention is to create confusion and friction with the geometric design on the individual cubes. I like the idea of having harmony and balance, with an element of conflict.
Artist Statement
Name: Jeremy Wilson
Media: Wooden Cubes
Title: Geometric Dynamism
With this piece I became transfixed by the idea of the fourth dimension and the geometric complexity of a tesseract cube. This sculpture celebrates the constant state of motion and flux required to view a tesseract cube. I hope to achieve a sense of dynamism with the piece by suggesting the sculpture is in a permanent state of movement. I wish to convey a sense of confusion and intrigue, which hopefully offers an added piece of complexity, by incorporating an intricate design on the cubes.
I chose to use wooden cubes to add a further dimension to the idea of the tesseract cube. A tesseract cube is a cube within a cube. I want to take that even farther and create a cube within a cube made entirely of cubes. I had not worked with wooden cubes before, and I found it difficult to create a perfect cube structure because each individual cube has flaws or abrasions, which made it troublesome to keep the sculpture a perfect square.
I like that the sculpture keeps me intrigued and interested, constantly having the eye drawn towards different aspects and moving around the piece. There is a sense of rhythm within the sculpture. It offers a sense of balance and harmony as a whole, but through a juxtaposing nature of friction and confusion.