Bens work:
In todays class me and Josh decided to improve on my Spinning Fan by creating a cage around it to stop the paint from going everywhere and making my machine more accessible and enjoyable to use. This was an improvement from my first prototype as I was completely covered in paint after the first 2 attempts at my machine, but now it is more friendly and you can stay clean. I also made a wooden plank that replicated the frame sitting on the fan that allows people to attach their own piece of paper to the board and create their own art on my machine during our interactive presentation. (Both Examples Shown Below)
I then ran through an example piece to see if it was successful and I believe it went well and is ready to add into our presentation on Thursday.
Joshs work:
The first two weeks back in studio were an introduction to art machines. The term art machine covers a very wide variety of things depending on your definition of a âmachineâ. For the purpose of the brief an art machine was somewhat defined, as the interaction of an artist and some object or contraption.
Our group did a few individual experiments to get ideas. I wrote down a few ideas but decided to go with building trebuchets, a siege weapon from the medieval era. I wanted to do this because trebuchets are cool, but also using a war machine as a method to create art was an interesting juxtaposition.
I then got to work designing my trebuchet. I started with a drawing to map out the shape, size and features. After that, I took my design down to the 3d labs to create a file so I could lasercut my trebuchet.
This was the first lasercut of the plan. It was a test to see how it worked and what I needed to change/fix.
After adding some parts to the plan and tweaking others, they were scaled up and lasercut again.
The finished trebuchets.
How I set them up to use in our group space. I made some sponge balls so that you could soak them in paint and fling them at paper or a canvas.
Kaylas work:
After thorough brainstorming of ideas, materials, and artists I immediately knew I wanted to include light in my machine in some form. As a kid I adored observatories, especially the rooms that were transformed through light and displayed plants, stars, constellations and space I wanted my work to reflect this. Through artist research I found major inspiration from Yayoi Kusama and Cornelia Parker. These two artists also had specific works that thoroughly impacted my ideas and thought processes these being Parkerâs âCold Dark Matter: An Exploded Viewâ 1991 and Kusamas âInfinity Mirrored Roomâ 2013. Both of these artworks impact the entire surrounding space, illuminating everything in its presence. Kusamas work gives an eery light feel throughout the piece while Parkerâs plays with light and dark, manipulating light to create shadows and highlights. Through research of Parkerâs piece and coming to the understand that it plays with the âlight and darkâ concept sparked the idea of yin and yang with lead to the idea of a Chinese lantern.
To experiment I used cardboard that was laying around at home, I found this difficult to cut stars out that were crisp and clean. This meant a lovely Gordon Harris trip where I found cardboard that looked much more aesthetically pleasing. Once I started to cut out stars the process was much easier, and I had cleaner cut outs.
Once the stars were cut out I shaped the cardboard into a tube. Using the thickest wire I could find at Gordon Harris I was able to create a make shift mobile which allows the cardboard to spin I found the wire to still be too flimsy so this required a few tries, eventually with input from others in my group we were able to create a functional mobile.
When setting up all the elements together in preparation for open studio I realised there would be another obstacle to overcome, this being the studio lighting negatively impacting the lighting on my machine. We proceeded to make our own secluded space within the studio acting almost as a small room, this allowed us to control the lighting in our space more. This control over the lighting gives the stars more definition and we are provided a more saturated hue from the lamp. Enhancing the mood and energy in our space.POSTED ONJULY 21, 2021
Art Machines â Week 2
Back in the studio this week! On Tuesday my group came together to discuss ideas, experiments we had created and ways to move forward. We came to the conclusion to create an instillation that relates to the concept of a âfactory lineâ this factory line consists of three art machines that will be interactive for the audience alongside my art machine which isnât interactive but creates a moody energy for the space of the instillation. An interactive instillation allows the audience to create artwork from our instillation that they can take away.
Through elimination of resources and a strict time line, I decided to create a rotating lantern with cut out stars. Inside will be a lamp which projects light through these cut out stars, creating a machine that projects stars on top its surrounding surfaces. I intend to have the lantern spin so that it gives a more life full energy.
To experiment I used cardboard that was laying around at home, I found this difficult to cut stars out that were crisp and clean. This meant a lovely Gordon Harris trip where I found cardboard that looked much more aesthetically pleasing. Once I started to cut out stars the process was much easier, and I had cleaner cut outs. Once the stars were cut out I shaped the cardboard into a tube. Using wire I was able to create a make shift mobile which allows the cardboard to spin.
The first art machine in our factory line is Dices Schrodingers art machine in which the original design of it was to start fires though Dice has altered this to be able to create art as opposed to starting a fire.
The second art machine in our factory line is Bens, Spinning fan machine. He has replaced the fan blades with a canvas which allows the paint to spread out at random to create art pieces.
The third art machine in our factory line is Joshâs trebuchets, they were laser cut from MDF and assembled in the workshop. They fire sponges which can be soaked with paint or ink to create splatter marks.
The fourth art machine in our instillation in my large scaled star lantern which winds up, circulating stars.
I love the idea of an interactive instillation as I find it is the best way for a deeper engagement with your audience and instillation, giving a memorable experience to the audience. Interactive art to me bridges the gap between artists and non-artists, interactive art gives the audience a memory to take away, and in the case of our instillation, a piece of art also.
To tie all these ideas together weâve used colour, this being red. To me the lantern reminds me of a Chinese lantern, use of red enhances this idea. Ive painted the exterior of the lantern red though as I was doing this I had the idea to why not have the lamp illuminate a red glow instead of a soft yellow. Using paint on the bulb I was able to achieve this.
Lantern art machine in motion
POSTED ONJULY 16, 2021
Art Machines â Week 1
For the first week of semester 2 we were introduced to the concept of an âArt Machineâ this being blah blah blah. Due to personal circumstances I was unable to be present for the first week. Though used this time away from studio to grasp a clear, concise understanding of this assignment. Though due to circumstances I was still able to collaborate for this assignment. I love the use of a collaborative assignment especially with a very hands on project as it allows room for creative growth, new knowledge and and new thought processes from other artists.
My group decided that amongst the 5 of us it would be most beneficial to split for the first week to experiment on our own concepts and then come back together in the beginning of week 2 to share, explore and discuss our ideas and concepts. From there we currently plan to choose a concept we would like to develop on for our final product of an âArt Machineâ.
The first step in approaching this assignment, especially while being away from the studio was to thoroughly read through recommended artists to research. Being away from the studio meant I would struggle with inspiration as I find myself to be inspired by other artists in my class as I feel my mind thrives in an environment full of creatives, this was something to overcome. I proceeded to brainstorm everything that was coming to my mind.
Due to being away, experimentation was very limited therefore I thoroughly drew up plans, researched and listed resources available to me, and took into consideration the time Iâd have to execute once I came back to studio. I came to the conclusion I wanted to include lights or any from of illumination.