Body cage
27.10.20 - 3.11 20
27.10.20 - 3.11 20
Scroll down for:
27.10.20 Using a metal guillotine
2.11.20 Spot welding
27.10.20 Using a metal guillotine
2.11.20 Spot welding
7.11.20 My intention in making Body cage was for the sculpture to be freestanding but also for me to wear it. I have finally worn it! For photos and videos of this very private performance, in my back garden, visit Body cage, performance.
I am really pleased with the final piece. I especially like the images of it on the ramp outside in the yard behind the metal workshop; it looks old school sci fi, maybe like one of the Daleks on Doctor Who? Against the metal of the ramp it seems to take on some kind of futuristic persona. It definitely works as a freestanding structure, but I think the fact that it can also be, and has been, worn makes it more interesting. It can stand independently, like in the first picture, but maybe predictably, it is quite unstable as the metal is so flexible.
Body cage, finished sculpture, 3.11.20
3.11.20
I'm wondering about combining this sculpture with knitting or cloth, maybe hanging, riveting or stitching on or inside this sculpture so I made a series of holes with the metal punch. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do, but I have plenty of ideas.
I made several adjustments to my initial idea today. I realised that if I wanted to wear this sculpture or be inside it, I wanted to also be able to get out of it independently so I made the lower bands of steel wider. I also made the decision that I wanted it to be as tall as me, or taller. In the end I made it my height, 5'8", 173cm. I haven't yet tried wearing it, but I will in due course. I definitely modelled it on my dimensions. Another self portrait?
I realised, as I was making it, that the structure isn't very stable as the steel bends so easily. I wasn't sure whether it would stand independently, but it did, just about. In the end, I leant it against the wall. Will I ever make a stable sculpture? Maybe that's an important part of my developing practice? I'm definitely not so worried about its stability though as I think it's also interesting lying down and I'd like to try suspending it too, maybe. And I can wear it!
So what next? I want to explore different forms, materials and surfaces to make a soft sculpture to interact with the metal structure. I'm planning to trial pink felted knitting, red velvet and maybe fake fur. I'm especially interested in the contrasts between the forms and surfaces of these two very different kinds of material. I will also endeavour to make it bodily, naturally! And I wonder whether my cast shoes will be involved?
One issue I need to think about is rust. Read my reflections To rust or not to rust? That is the question.
21.11.20 I have also been thinking about 21.11.20 Combining steel and textiles and 21.11.20 Clean and dirty processes and materials. I have also almost finished making a canvas body, based on my dimensions again, which I'm planning to use with my rusting Body cage. I imagine it as a blank canvas which will take on the marks of the rusting metal. As I decided to put Body cage to rust in the garden, I am thinking about also putting the canvas body with it and documenting the marks that appear due to the elements (and any wildlife - we have foxes, badgers and squirrels ... and birds, of course). I need to think about how I'll document it as some of the tutors have suggested, for other works, that the garden isn't a very suitable backdrop. But maybe for this project it is appropriate...and considering the current restrictions due to the pandemic, maybe it will be acceptable.
I'm also interested to see the ways that the canvas deteriorates and how long that takes.
I'm wondering about combining this sculpture with knitting or cloth, maybe hanging, riveting or stitching on or inside this sculpture so I made a series of holes with the metal punch. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do, but I have plenty of ideas.
I made several adjustments to my initial idea today. I realised that if I wanted to wear this sculpture or be inside it, I wanted to also be able to get out of it independently so I made the lower bands of steel wider. I also made the decision that I wanted it to be as tall as me, or taller. In the end I made it my height, 5'8", 173cm. I haven't yet tried wearing it, but I will in due course. I definitely modelled it on my dimensions. Another self portrait?
I realised, as I was making it, that the structure isn't very stable as the steel bends so easily. I wasn't sure whether it would stand independently, but it did, just about. In the end, I leant it against the wall. Will I ever make a stable sculpture? Maybe that's an important part of my developing practice? I'm definitely not so worried about its stability though as I think it's also interesting lying down and I'd like to try suspending it too, maybe. And I can wear it!
So what next? I want to explore different forms, materials and surfaces to make a soft sculpture to interact with the metal structure. I'm planning to trial pink felted knitting, red velvet and maybe fake fur. I'm especially interested in the contrasts between the forms and surfaces of these two very different kinds of material. I will also endeavour to make it bodily, naturally! And I wonder whether my cast shoes will be involved?
One issue I need to think about is rust. Read my reflections To rust or not to rust? That is the question.
21.11.20 I have also been thinking about 21.11.20 Combining steel and textiles and 21.11.20 Clean and dirty processes and materials. I have also almost finished making a canvas body, based on my dimensions again, which I'm planning to use with my rusting Body cage. I imagine it as a blank canvas which will take on the marks of the rusting metal. As I decided to put Body cage to rust in the garden, I am thinking about also putting the canvas body with it and documenting the marks that appear due to the elements (and any wildlife - we have foxes, badgers and squirrels ... and birds, of course). I need to think about how I'll document it as some of the tutors have suggested, for other works, that the garden isn't a very suitable backdrop. But maybe for this project it is appropriate...and considering the current restrictions due to the pandemic, maybe it will be acceptable.
I'm also interested to see the ways that the canvas deteriorates and how long that takes.
Process of making:
I am especially pleased that I have learned a number of new skills and processes and used some different tools and equipment. Learning to spot weld will be especially useful, I think, as it's quick, intuitive, it looks cool and it's a secure way to attach steel. It's also not too hard on my wrists! Once I'd cut all the pieces of steel, the bending and welding was very enjoyable; repetitive and methodical. It definitely led to Csikszentmihalyi's flow, that wonderful meditative state where time flies and which leads to a deep and different way of thinking.
27.10.20 Using a metal guillotine
I used the large metal guillotine to cut a sheet of 0.9ml steel into 3cm strips. I had to stand on the pedal and use my body weight to cut it. It was wonderfully physical. It did make me think again about how much I enjoy using my whole body to make my work.
I used the large metal guillotine to cut a sheet of 0.9ml steel into 3cm strips. I had to stand on the pedal and use my body weight to cut it. It was wonderfully physical. It did make me think again about how much I enjoy using my whole body to make my work.
I then began to bend the steel, making holes with a drill and a metal hole punch and then used a pop rivet gun to rivet the steel into circles. It's a slow process and I began to worry about my hands as it involves squeezing the hole punch and riveter. That action is not good for me as I have some RSI and pain in my hands and wrists (possibly due to knitting too much?) I really like the aesthetics of rivets, but it's no good if it damages my hands....
2.11.20 Spot welding
I turned up, planning to carry on riveting, but Si showed me how to use the spot welder and I realised that it's much more intuitive and also much quicker than riveting. An additional bonus is that it puts absolutely no strain on my hands and wrists. I was hooked! It's rather like using a glue gun, except that it uses an electric current to weld together 2 pieces of sheet steel in small spots. It's solid, but only if you weld 3 or 4 spots. It's like magic.
I turned up, planning to carry on riveting, but Si showed me how to use the spot welder and I realised that it's much more intuitive and also much quicker than riveting. An additional bonus is that it puts absolutely no strain on my hands and wrists. I was hooked! It's rather like using a glue gun, except that it uses an electric current to weld together 2 pieces of sheet steel in small spots. It's solid, but only if you weld 3 or 4 spots. It's like magic.
