Motion Project Take Away

I came into this class expecting almost anything could happen. However, my mindset was still set on the stereotypical classroom art setting of sitting around and creating a completed piece. My expectations went out the window as soon as Chris introduced us to a new material, bamboo. I've seen and used them my whole life, but actually working with them was a different story. The limited flexibility presented its own challenges. In the beginning I did not know the limitation of the bamboo, therefore I snapped a lot of them. This caused me to become very frustrated and wanted to give up. However after working with the bamboo for a few projects, I began to work with the bamboo instead of forcing it. Knowing when the breaking point of the bamboo became almost second nature. This taught me a valuable lesson of knowing what your materials are capable of. It is far easier to work with the materials than against it. The bamboo also helped me visually, by presenting a physical piece of work that shows the motions. The loops, line weight, and directions of the lines all play a major role in helping the composition of the piece flow. Details became more important and vital. Small details such as strings dangling from the bamboo could change the entire piece. Working with a three dimensional object also helped me see the importance of perspective. Viewing the piece from different angles completely changes the mood and motions of the piece. I’ve become more aware of the motions and movements within my own artwork. I’ve incorporate color contrasts and lines to guide the eye toward the most important part of the work. Chris wanted us to experiment and take risks throughout this entire project, and because of this I’ve personally felt that I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone more. Asking “what if” and then forcing myself to go through with it instead of just letting it become another random thought. The project has also taught me to let go of my perfectionist views. I don’t have to make a piece pretty. The pressure of having grades placed on my project disappeared. This allowed me to experiment more, to take more risks, and overall to just enjoy myself while working. My peers became an enormous source of inspiration. From just simply walking around the classroom and looking at everyone’s work to class critiques, I was able to push my artwork further than if I had worked on it all alone. I’ve learned so much more than I could’ve hope for within the first week, and I can’t wait for what’s to come.

Olivia Thompson and Hung Le : Bamboo Project

Olivia and I wanted to show the physical motions of the wind and how it affects the surrounding. We accomplished this by using fishing lines tied to the bamboo acting like puppets on a string. The motion then radiates outward from the fishing lines to the bamboo and finally to the surrounding areas. 

Bamboo Interpretation of Ballet Dance

The piece is inspired by the elegant yet very sudden movements of the ballet dancer. It starts from the bottom with loops and crescent shaped waves demonstrating the short hops and glide of the ballet dancer across the floor. The movements are then entangled in the middle with various loops and sharp lines to express the sudden motions created. Finally the energy and movements of the piece is released outward in an explosive motion toward the top right of the piece expressing the final movements of the dance. This piece is also meant to convey a sense of stress and urgency, because the dancer's movements mimic those of a marionette. Therefore in many areas within the piece the loops are bound by string imitating those of a marionette. 

Ballet Dance Movement And Motion Pieces

 Mimics the twirls and short hops across the floor of the ballet dancer.

Demonstrates the various movements of the ballet dancer such as arm circles, twirls, and hops.

The dancer's movements mimicked those of a spider or a marionette on a string. The movements were very graceful, however they also had very sudden stops which create the sharp edges. the circle in the middle represents the center of attention of the dance, the chair. 

Inspired by the ambiguous growth pattern of a plant with the potential to move in any direction searching for sunlight. 

 The movements created in this piece is radiating from a focus point, the middle. With the lines going in various directions outward, however those lines are contrasted with the curves moving inward towards the center.

The two sides contracts each other while still creating movement and balance. The left hand side has circles that never crosses, but instead laid on top of each other. Unlike the right side which overlaps.

Motion Experiment Pieces

Uses a variety of brushes and ink in order to create movement on a two dimensional surface.

The pieces uses a combination of lines and curves pointing in the same direction to draw the viewer's eyes toward the top right portion of the piece. The use of lines on top of each of the loops help contrast the curvy loops and straight line adding more depth to the piece. Shapes such as triangles also help guide the eyes towards the center by mimicking the shape of an arrow. By playing with the shadow and angle the piece creates the illusion of the lines going off the frame and adding more dimension to the work as a whole. There is also contrast between the left and right side of the piece. The left being more unorganized and chaotic compared to the more symmetrical right side. 

1000 Hands Dance

 The 1000 Hands Dance is performed by 63 hearing impaired dancers with the help of 6 choreographers  dressed in white to synchronize them to the music. The mirror motion dances give the effects of movement between the dancers.

Combination Motion

Uses the angle and shadow of the ribbon to add depth and movement,  drawing the eyes towards the center and then outward.

 Uses a combination of curve lines and weaving to mimic the image of a blimp. With the addition of the three lines to draw the eye downward.

The center pattern slowly move apart to show movement. The circle and loop adds dimension and draws the eye back to the pattern.

Outward Motion

Even though the two lines started at a similar location and advances through the same obstacles, their outcome are different. Drawing the viewers eyes from the same starting point and ending up at different endpoints.

The spiral slowly become smaller to test the limit of the bamboo. The disconnect symbolizes the breaking point of the bamboo. Also drawing the viewers eyes to from larger to small or vice versa.

The pattern is held together by the force of each of the bamboo strands and a single pin. Testing the limits of the gravitational force acting upon it.

Inward Motions

The piece mimics the atomic structures of an atom to give off the circular movements and rotations.

The image draws the viewers eyes towards the center with the ribbon becoming smaller and and curving towards the center.

Inspired by an hourglass' endless motions and cycle.