This summer I am taking a three-dimensional design class at De Anza College taught by Patti Jauch, who also teaches at San Jose State University.
Our second project is to use paper to make folded, glued or molded forms that we then put together into a larger sculpture. My initial idea was to make fungus-like pods that would “grow” out of the wall. My plan was to use reed for the inner structures, cover those with paper, and then paint. As art does though, the project morphed into something different and I went with that. It’s a cyclone made of reed and thread. My plan is to put photos on the cyclone, photos from my life, so it will be an autobiographical piece.
The basic cyclone structure is nearly complete. It needs more reed woven and tied in to make the structure stronger. In the meantime, I’m experimenting with printing my photos on translucent paper, or perhaps translucent cloth. I want them to look ghostly, like memories rather than actual photos. Once I figure out printing the photos, I will do some tests to figure out how to adhere them to the cyclone.
I especially like the threads hanging all the way around the cyclone. They are a fitting metaphor for how fragile life is.
The project should be complete in two weeks.