Floating Architecture Assignment

Floating Architecture

Process Pictures

Final Work

Empire

materrials: cardboard, rives white paper,masking tape, black painters tape, brown paper tape, white gesso, black and white ink

dimensions: 1.5" x 2.15" x 1"

Artist Statement

My structure was inspired by the architecture of the Gothic and Byzantine periods. Particularly, I was inspired by the rough, beveled textures of the Gothic period, as well as the unifiying nature of the structures of the Byzantine period.I used the materials listed below the above images in order to create a black and white structure emphasizing architectural traits of the aformentioned time periods. I was also inspired by various floating architecture artists

The rectilinear nature of my structure was inspired by the Gothic period, as the era's archictecture consisted tall, simplistic buildings with ornate, intricate designs and branching structures. I incorporated this theme intto my structure throigh the use ob whie gesso, as well as black and white ink in order to create an inctricate, repetitive design theme in the piece. The circular structures branching off from the structure's sides, as well as the structure being comprised fo three simple platforms surrounding a column also reflect this theme.

I incroporated the Byzantine period into my structure by creating the domes on the top and bottom of the piece. I surrounded the domes with triangles in order to mimic the appearance of spires. These design choices were inspired by the central, unifying nature of the Byzantine period. The time period's architecture consisted of buildings surrounding by smaller structures organized in a symmetrical nature.

My inspirations for this structure are further supported by the research images below.

Visual Research 

Segovia Cathedral

Juan Gil de Hontano, 1522-1577

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Segovia_Cathedral.html

Hagia Sophia

Anthemos of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, 532-537

https://www.ancient.eu/Hagia_Sophia/

Looped Wire Sculpture

https://www.ruthasawa.com/art/sculpture/

On Longing Asssignment

On Longing Assignment

"Capacity of objects to serve as traces of authentic experience."

-Susan Stuart

The quote expresses the belief that any object can act as proof of a first-hand experience. I chose this picture because it represents proof of my time in New Jersey before moving to Florida.

"The body is the primary mode of perceiving scale."
-Susan Stuart

The quote explains that human-like figures are primarily used when measuring and observing scale. I chose this picture, as it contains a human-like structure. The statue serves as a method of measuring the scale of humans in comparison to other objects.

"The souvenir reduces the public, the monumental, and the three-dimensional into the miniature, that which can be enveloped by the body."

-Susan Stuart

The quote explains that visual souvenirs reduce the scope of the meaning of that object. For instance, the above object's ornate meaning has lost its authenticity over time, as it has been seen by many passing individuals ranging from tourists to students.

"To have a souvenir of the exotic is to possess both a specimen and a trophy."

-Susan Stuart

The quote explains that souvenirs, whether they are tangible, intangible, physical, or visual, serve as both initial objects and proof of an experience. I took this picture because it represents that trait, as due to its nature as a tourist attraction, the ornate ceiling within the picture serves as both an object and proof of one observing a well-renowned piece of art.

"The nostalgic impact of the hand-made in a 'plastic world'."

-Susan Stuart

The quote expresses the idea that the meaning of objects can be distorted by nostalgia in a world dominated by possessions and accompanied experiences. I chose the above picture because it emphasizes that objects viewed throughout various time periods eventually developing various meanings influenced by differing experiences.