Final Draft
The idea of change and transformation have always wildly fascinated me. The very concept that nothing is permanent or constant is
an incredibly hopeful and important ideal to me. Thus, throughout the semester, I have investigated, through different forms and methods, this idea of change and development. Throughout this time I have spent experimenting in the realms of change, I have been pleasantly surprised at the way my work has actualized my perception of change in the way I am currently experiencing and dealing with it within my own life.
I originally was quite stumped as to what I was going to do for my theme this semester. Last year I investigated color combinations and the elements of
surprise within my work. When I analyzed what I actually liked about that, I came to the realization that I loved how glaze and surprise can dramatically
transform the way you perceive an object. Thus, I began by experimenting with taking specific shapes, (a bowl, a vase, ect) and altering them or transforming them in some way. This led to my collapsed bowl projects, hand and thrown clay strip work, porcelain draping, and eventually to my work with flowers and vines. This originally superficial and aesthetic project began a fascination with transformation and overgrowth that I continued to be fascinated by and pursue.
When considering the execution of this premise, I was fascinated by the idea of a man made project (a vase) being reclaimed by nature. Thus, I began to think of my projects as ideas or stages of life. For example, the beginnings of change occur when you plant a seed. By providing the opportunity for change to enter, it begins and once it does, cannot be stopped. Also, I was interested in the idea that society often encourages you to hide your “true self” in order to conform to accepted norms. However, eventually, the real self begins to shine through the façade, which leads to the appearance and blooming of the flowers and vines. They are, in a sense, reclaiming their right to be what they are. Nature does not apologize for being nature, and human beings are infinitely more beautiful when they are allowed to be as their nature intends. I attempted to show this revolution reemergence of the true self through the gradual consuming of the old, stifled self, by allowing the flowers and vines to eventually consume the man-made project. All that will eventually be left is the beauty of the true self that has destroyed, through its transformation, the pressures and limitations of its original container.
Upon reflection of why I chose this theme and the way I chose to represent it, I have realized that my work is a direct reflection to what is currently occurring in my life. As a senior in high school, this is a period of immense personal reflection, growth, and transformation, (the likes of which even I do not yet know the extent of.) I have begun to welcome change and transformation into my life in ways that have profoundly affected the way I see
and interpret the world around me. My worst fear is not change, but rather, the lack of change. While you cannot be what you were yesterday, conversely, you cannot be what you are today without yesterday. My evolution and transformation has only just begun, and I am excited for the moment when my vines and roses finally overcome the shells of doubt and fear that I have battled for so long.
Through my work, I am actualizing my hopes, for both myself and others, for our futures to be a constant state of beautiful metamorphosis and transformation.
an incredibly hopeful and important ideal to me. Thus, throughout the semester, I have investigated, through different forms and methods, this idea of change and development. Throughout this time I have spent experimenting in the realms of change, I have been pleasantly surprised at the way my work has actualized my perception of change in the way I am currently experiencing and dealing with it within my own life.
I originally was quite stumped as to what I was going to do for my theme this semester. Last year I investigated color combinations and the elements of
surprise within my work. When I analyzed what I actually liked about that, I came to the realization that I loved how glaze and surprise can dramatically
transform the way you perceive an object. Thus, I began by experimenting with taking specific shapes, (a bowl, a vase, ect) and altering them or transforming them in some way. This led to my collapsed bowl projects, hand and thrown clay strip work, porcelain draping, and eventually to my work with flowers and vines. This originally superficial and aesthetic project began a fascination with transformation and overgrowth that I continued to be fascinated by and pursue.
When considering the execution of this premise, I was fascinated by the idea of a man made project (a vase) being reclaimed by nature. Thus, I began to think of my projects as ideas or stages of life. For example, the beginnings of change occur when you plant a seed. By providing the opportunity for change to enter, it begins and once it does, cannot be stopped. Also, I was interested in the idea that society often encourages you to hide your “true self” in order to conform to accepted norms. However, eventually, the real self begins to shine through the façade, which leads to the appearance and blooming of the flowers and vines. They are, in a sense, reclaiming their right to be what they are. Nature does not apologize for being nature, and human beings are infinitely more beautiful when they are allowed to be as their nature intends. I attempted to show this revolution reemergence of the true self through the gradual consuming of the old, stifled self, by allowing the flowers and vines to eventually consume the man-made project. All that will eventually be left is the beauty of the true self that has destroyed, through its transformation, the pressures and limitations of its original container.
Upon reflection of why I chose this theme and the way I chose to represent it, I have realized that my work is a direct reflection to what is currently occurring in my life. As a senior in high school, this is a period of immense personal reflection, growth, and transformation, (the likes of which even I do not yet know the extent of.) I have begun to welcome change and transformation into my life in ways that have profoundly affected the way I see
and interpret the world around me. My worst fear is not change, but rather, the lack of change. While you cannot be what you were yesterday, conversely, you cannot be what you are today without yesterday. My evolution and transformation has only just begun, and I am excited for the moment when my vines and roses finally overcome the shells of doubt and fear that I have battled for so long.
Through my work, I am actualizing my hopes, for both myself and others, for our futures to be a constant state of beautiful metamorphosis and transformation.
Rough Draft
Rough Draft
TRANSFORMATION:
Physical shape of work and overgrowth themes. Begun from rose idea. Wanted to be good at pulling clay.
Addition of vines and flowers growing over, taking over, changing surface through shadow and contrast. Flat shapes of thrown clay altered by more
3 dimensional pulled and pinched clay.
Change in my life, period of growth. So much constant “blooming.”Seeds planted, begin to grow, rapid, exponential speed of growth. Once you start
you only continue, no turning back or stopping. Do not continue to grow and change, you die! Adaptation.
Things are forgotten, quickly let to go away, to change andtransform without intention or control. Often without notice or power over it.
Morph into things they were not before.
Reclaiming of nature…fighting change and nature for so long,eventually release and allow true nature, true self to immerge. Can no longer
hide or repress true self…divine light of being…Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate…
Metamorphosis, revolution, renewal, alteration, transition,development, evolution
Stagnant: Worst fear is not change, worst is inactivity, stasis, torpidity, apathy, indifference. Never want to stop changing. Welcome to change,
though afraid. Must be strong to change.
Descent vs ascent, constant battle between improving or not changing.
TRANSFORMATION:
Physical shape of work and overgrowth themes. Begun from rose idea. Wanted to be good at pulling clay.
Addition of vines and flowers growing over, taking over, changing surface through shadow and contrast. Flat shapes of thrown clay altered by more
3 dimensional pulled and pinched clay.
Change in my life, period of growth. So much constant “blooming.”Seeds planted, begin to grow, rapid, exponential speed of growth. Once you start
you only continue, no turning back or stopping. Do not continue to grow and change, you die! Adaptation.
Things are forgotten, quickly let to go away, to change andtransform without intention or control. Often without notice or power over it.
Morph into things they were not before.
Reclaiming of nature…fighting change and nature for so long,eventually release and allow true nature, true self to immerge. Can no longer
hide or repress true self…divine light of being…Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate…
Metamorphosis, revolution, renewal, alteration, transition,development, evolution
Stagnant: Worst fear is not change, worst is inactivity, stasis, torpidity, apathy, indifference. Never want to stop changing. Welcome to change,
though afraid. Must be strong to change.
Descent vs ascent, constant battle between improving or not changing.
Outline:
What: vines and changing surfaces, transformation
How: bending space, overgrowth
Why: Change is reflected in my life...how do I show what is happening to me through my work?
How: bending space, overgrowth
Why: Change is reflected in my life...how do I show what is happening to me through my work?
And my theme is... (yes, I know. Finally...)
My theme is the transformation of space and shape through usage of pulled, thrown, and pinched clay.