Abstract Downtown Milwaukee
Size: 30 cm x 18.5 cm
Medium: Wood, Foam
April 2016
Size: 30 cm x 18.5 cm
Medium: Wood, Foam
April 2016
Exhibition Text: The way I see Downtown Milwaukee many years later, is that it would use more abstract shapes in its' architecture. I used triangles, trapezoids, rhombi, and others to project my vision of the city in this abstract form, while also using the basic structure of a normal building (square/rectangle).
Research:
Before I did any creating or designs, I looked at Downtown's current buildings and designs. Many of the large corporate buildings had a slick, clean, formal look to them. I not only focused on those, but on the small businesses too. These buildings varied, for some looked old with breaking bricks, to others looking new and remodeled. The sizes of the buildings in Downtown Milwaukee also varied, for some were very tall and slim, short and wide, or vice-versa. I decided that I would keep this look in my city, and use some of the current shapes and sizes of the buildings to my own. I also wanted to give the city a futuristic look, since over the years the city's look has looked more and more slick.
|
Brooks, Shanin. 2008. Milwaukee. Milwaukee, WI: Downtown Milwaukee. Web. 18 June 2008.
<http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc46184.php>. |
Artist Inspiration:I was inspired by a building in Japan created by Design for Architectural Biological Urbanization Research Associates (DABURA). The building uses triangles to create the whole structure, however certain triangles are cut open to create windows and allow light to shine through them, and these triangles are placed in multiple areas around the building. During the night, the building's entrance and windows are illuminated, having them stand out compared to the rest of the building.
Image Source: Ikuma, Satoshi. 2014. Japan. |
Cultural Inspiration:
My cultural inspiration was the culture of downtown Milwaukee. I researched photos and facts on downtown Milwaukee, and how it has changed over the years. Many buildings in downtown already have a modern look to them, and I decided that I wanted to keep that in some of the buildings I had wanted to put on my board.
Sketches/Process:
|
1.) After my research, I began drawing my sketches. I created about 5-6 sketches on what lines I want on my board and on what kind of shapes I want to use.
2.) After gathering random blocks of wood with different shapes and sizes, I placed them around my 1 ft x 1 ft board, just to get a sense of what I want it to look. 3.) I then kept the blocks I wanted and hot glued them to my board in the positions I wanted them in. 4.) I also used a small rectangular piece of green foam, and two triangular pieces of white foam. 5.) I was careful when gluing the green foam and the pieces of white foam onto the board since the glue was burning through the foam easily. 6.) As time went on. I added more wood onto the blocks that were already glued down. 7.) I then took photos of my finished piece under a lamp box to have the light go through the void and slits. |
Meaning Behind My Piece:
There wasn't really a meaning behind my piece. All I wanted to do was give a more futuristic look to downtown Milwaukee by using more abstract shapes into the architecture, while also keeping some of the design and look of modern downtown Milwaukee.
Reflection:
After completing my piece, I reflected back on the project as a whole. In the beginning of the project, I wasn't happy with the placement of the blocks I had and some of the shapes of the blocks. I decided to get rid of some and grab new ones. I also used items that were already in my home like flat wooden toothpicks and my glue gun.
Challenges:
Challenges:
- I had a difficult time at first with placing the blocks were I wanted them to go, for I had no clue as to how I wanted my city to look.
- There wasn't enough wood blocks to use at school, so I had to use other materials.
- Did the project later than expected.
- Completed project on time.
- Liked my finished product.