3D

3Dimensions-Paper Mache

How I would simply describe 3D besides the definition of an image that provide perception of depth. It is an image that is made interactive so that the viewer feel involved with one scene, the experience is called virtual reality. Though my background experience involved as much as clay work only but having had begun this worksop, it had brought forth my previous knowledge and skills to apply in my new idea. Picking a theme for myself has always been fairly quick but no less challenging when ideas I want to deliver are always conceptually complicated. 'Always asking for it' I complained at times and that however, is not what I will encourage my pupils to do because when an idea becomes conceptually complex, executing it well is another matter. Most of the time, pupils tend to overthink because of the lack of confidence or unfamiliarity in the topic. I have been there too and very much so like artists that still faces challenges with uncertainty.  And at Junior Cycle level 2,  from being able to identify their learnings from first year, it is expected of them now to develop independent creative thinking skills to find ways to overcome problems or ways around complexity of ideas. As a teacher, I find that it helps pupils to eradicate the hesitation and fear to progress by constant encouragement. One cannot give another courage and confidence, it needs to be acquired but pupils have to want to do that for themselves. Giving them a sense of achievement to be able to reach the success criteria within their abilities. So it is best to simplify based of level of standards. 

1. First step: conceptualising

My idea comes from a personal place of my culture and self-identity- Zodiac/self-portait. Before executing any plan is to always visualise first. The difficulty that tends to happen in the making is to be thinking in a 3D manner but seeing it in a 2D form.  That's where the habit of practice comes in- drawing. It is an important practice I find as in the process, it eventually becomes a visual aid/guide in achieving accuracy of the desired result that you want. I feel that it is helpful in any aspect of art making. So spontaneously, I did sketches based on my quick selfies of sides of my face including the back of my head. Also, research on the internet does help especially when it comes to anatomical accuracy. 

So initially the reference that had inspired me came from various works: 

Animation by Studio Ghibli-'Princess Mononoke' 

(Alexander McQueen: Fashion)

pintrest

2. Second step: experimenting

Of resources available were:

wood/wires/foam/clay/casting model paste/plaster bandage etc.

I had begun with the standard way of creating a basic form/shape that is round by using newsprint paper which is similar to newspaper and could easily create a shape that you want. To harden the surface around it, I find masking tape works better than the transparent tape because if one decides to put a different material onto it, masking tape has a texture that would allow that.  Secondly, I decided to ambitiously begin my sculpture with new experimentation I have never done. And that is using tissue towel, applying PVA glue which does hardened the surface when it dries. However, the layering would be time consuming and not exactly achieving the texture that I want which is to be slightly smoother than a rough edgy texture. Thirdly, I left it just for a few minutes but the volume was still not big enough which then made me decide to layer up with another material. I tried the moulding clay paste which requires a little mixing- 1/4 cup of water and at least half a handful of paste so it would not be too dry to apply.  What I had no realised is that, the paste does not stay on as well as I hope and it took a lot longer to dry. Not only that, the texture I was getting, looked rocky and would look even more so after it dries.

Eventually, I reached a point where I felt, the most easily manipulated material is clay and it is not as messy as the moulding clay. Also having considered details, I certainly can't do it with the paste. Once there is a strong base, only then you can focus on what the designs of the outer layer look like.

Uncertain of the results of having two different elements mixing together. Turned out, it worked well as the surface was slightly wet allowing me to have more time as clay becomes easier to work with on creating a better shape of what I think the shape of head and skull look like.

I do look back on the drawings for guidance which helps but actual photographs would be better as some details would be clearer. Or better yet look at yourself in the mirror while working on it. I wasn't looking for perfection but in the least, I wanted to present my significant features that people could recognise it is me after all- lips and nose structure.

(Left)Going for an imperfect outlook, it is why I had left the rocky texture of the side of the face-reminding me of the phantom of the opera. The mysteriousness being behind the mask. Well on this face, the mask of which is fused with the skin is to also symbolise the fragility of beauty. Through this experience, it is an interesting journey of self-awareness and self-appreciation. At this age in my mid twenties, to think I have only recently found it comfortable to be in my own skin, doing this was just a refreshing reminder of self-love. Blessed to have all functioning features, one of a kind like everyone else, bearing unique features of which is a mixture inheriting from parents. I find that this in an important lesson for adolescence and at any age to understand especially girls that would become more self-conscious, affected by the beauty norms or stereotypes of today. The difficulty of owning an identity and let alone finding it, I think only when one is exposed to different situations and under right circumstances could then an individual explore through  experiences of what makes them who they really are.

(left)At this stage, holding my own head sculpture in my head was odd. Not only the fact that it could be seen to be a dark piece of work without eyes. They say eyes are the windows to the soul and by eliminating this important feature, I am emphasising on the issues of the world that could blind one from everything else like I mentioned, not only adolescent can be affected by the world but even adults who just like me, could be moving all over the world finding the struggle to stick with cultural background that they have when you are adapting in a different environment. Additional to that, this reminds me of a documentary I have watched based on primitive ages when people have made skulls out of human skin but it ends up being a myth(right | above).  
 I have used my hands to smooth out surfaces but when it comes to details,  tools with sharp edges like pencils or one that helps carve out some clay work really well.

3. Second last stage: The rooster | studies of a rooster
With determination, I felt I had successfully captured the resemblance of my face to be able to move onto the second important element. My zodiac spirit animal that shows the Chinese culture where older generations are more familiar with the zodiac calendar of twelve different animals in each month. Having looked at images of rooster, I also learned what makes a rooster different from a chicken which was not something I had considered in the beginning because the message I wanted to deliver was not gender-focused.
Of course beyond the obvious that a hen lays eggs and a rooster does not. Significantly, a rooster has thicker and longer legs/ much bigger wattles etc. I find that the comb makes a rooster very majestic, like a crown worn on its head to show masculinity. Not only that, I have no intention of adding the ears because like the eyes, we could be easily be affected by what others tell us, influencing how we respond to things around us and that is not necessarily good but rather, focusing on oneself and come up with our own conclusion about things happening around us.

The first problem I had faced was attaching the rooster's head to the head as you see, balancing it onto it was a little difficult. What I had thought to resolve this was by forming the rooster's head with its neck with more clay to engulf half of the skull so it could look whole. I like it at this point feeling that I have captured both elements as accurately as I possibly could, despite not giving the rooster its wattle. Due to technical difficulty of the weight and because it could possible block the frontal features of my face, I was not sure if I have the right decision to have left it the way the form is because it looks like a gladiator wearing a warrior helmet. Nevertheless, I have moved on to the next problem. Consulting a lecturer, not knowing enough about possible equipments or materials I can use to keep these two elements from collapsing.  That was when I was introduced to grip fix. 

From what it seemed, grip fix appeared to be a paste that has to be squeezed out from a tube and it worked like super glue, closing all gaps in-between. With the cracks at the bottom of my sculpture, by planting it right on top of the paste I have spread on the wood where I marked would stabilised it.  It would take a complete day to dry as it would need to harden and firmly stay on the board.
Leaving the colour contrast of brown and white would make it look unfinished. So I had to think about the finishing look if I had wanted it to appear in a marble white condition like the statues in Greece or approach a contemporary style, simultaneously cautiously not allowing colours to take that focus away from the message.

And so it begun....

I realised by adding PVA glue onto its surface create a hint of shine which I had mixed with white paint did make it look like a concrete marble with a little transparency to see the grainy look from beneath. However, I felt if the whole outlook was going to be white, the visual impact of the focus would not be as confrontational as I hope. 
I decided to add colours. Due to the cracks as the base of the neck, I had wanted to add rough texture strings around the neck to create coils like the roots on bark of tree. But then again, I did not want to disrupt the form that was done already. My choice of colours was aiming for an almost nature-like but with a hint of golden does create a luminous look, almost glorious looking.

4. last: finalising
 Overall, this was not the outcome I had expected but it was the closest imaginable that portray what I wanted to deliver. The red lips might have certainly determined the gender but because there was no hair or anything to show otherwise, I will leave it open for other interpretations. I think even with sketch drafts, there is only so much you can achieve without truly exploring the possibilities with different materials and applying different techniques, seeing what works best for you. What I would have done differently with this is to play with more materials that I did have in mind that might have possibly enhance the deliverance of the message intended.