The World Within

 

The title is inspired by the documentary on Carl Gustav Jung: The World Within

Check it out

Instalation

There is still lots to do. As the pieces are drying and queuing up for the firing, I need to figure out the installation process. I want them to look like they are growing, so I don't want to put them on the plinth or a platform.

I need to fill each piece with aerated concrete, with provisions for the metal rods in place. Making sure that the rods are perpendicular to the ceramic. 

I don't want the rods imbedded directly into the concrete as I'd like pieces to be able to stand up on the ground - which is way more practical for transport and storage, so I'm using clear tubing around the rods. Tubing will stay in concrete, and rods will be pulled out and carefully labeled so I know where they belong.

I will also need to make another template of the whole piece, with holes for the rods marked.

And here we are, on the site at Cottesloe:

 

And finally removing the last template:

Surface

Surface and texture are created with porcelain at leather hard stage. This process is time sensitive; if the piece is too wet texture will run down, and if it is too dry it will flake off. 

The work will not be glazed, it will stay porcelain white, fired to 1280 degrees, oxidation.

Texture is related to overgrown tree roots and neurons in the brain. Both are responsible for carrying information throughout the system. Using electrical and chemical signals, they help coordinate all of the necessary functions of life. 

Forming

I am getting better at shaping the curve, which is subtly changing as pieces are getting shorter and wider. 

Now that I am working "on an angle" rather than horizontal I am happier with the shape:

However, as the shapes change, so do the challenges. I need to prevent slumping:

Construction

After cutting lots of paper and cardboard templates, finally I can start making. I am starting with the tallest piece as (I'm thinking) that one will be the biggest challenge:

First problem is solved - keeping the slab of clay upright and vertical:

Adjusting the thickness of clay that can be extruded for constructing the wall. I like the bevel  edge on the extruder die, it will speed up construction and minimize handling: 

First and second row in the making:

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And another template, this one to keep the curve consistent:

First piece:

My plan seems to be working well so far:

The one on the left is just made, and the one on the right has been refined:

Conception

 How does a sculpture start? For me, it starts with the inner search, “brainstorming”, listening to the inner dialogue, rummaging through the thoughts, ideas, images… picking them up and examining them…. are they good, suitable, interesting, worthwhile, achievable…. what do I want to say and how do I want to say it…..

And slowly, from that soup of chaos a concept starts emerging. It takes time.

This one started with the framing of the space; ellipses reminiscent of the galaxies:

and perhaps of Stonehenge:

It need to grow bigger to have presence in the outdoor setting, however the components could not be bigger than my kiln space. Solution: split them in 2 and create a gap:

It means twice as many pieces, but visually more interesting shape. And

the wider ones should be shorter, and narrower ones taller:

It is a good start.

The World Within, Sculpture By The Sea Cottesloe

 

Sculpture by the Sea is an amazing event. This year it celebrates its 20^th birthday at Cottesloe, Western Australia. It has an older sister event at Bondi (check David Handley’s SxS story here).

Previously I have applied and participated in 5 SxS exhibitions in Cottesloe and 2 in Bondi.

This year I had the honour to be invited to participate at the big “20” at Cottesloe, and without that invitation this sculpture would not exists, I would not push myself to and over the limits to transform the intangible into the tangible.

If you are in Perth WA, come and see the exhibition. It has an enormous creative energy and it nurtures and supports many local, national and international creatives and artists. Not only the exhibiting artists, but also the tour guides, educators, volunteers and site crew. Most of them are artists themselves. See you soon at Cottesloe!