Structure

Everyday I went to the foundation lab to work on my dress form. I really love the open space there. I like the equipments, the workers, the making noises, and the big tables there.







Last night there was only me and the technician in the lab. Coke, some cashew, and the sawing machine put me into a good mood. He said I was the only student in the school. Ha! I wish there are more people working there.



Today, after peer review, I finished two refined wood pieces as the supporters for the dress form, and attached the bottom one to the pole. Things went slowly but still made some progress. Now I am stuck with how to drill the second hole on the right position on the second piece.



As you see here, the pole is supposed to go through two pieces of wood inside of the dress form vertically. And those two pieces of wood should place at the right angle to fit the dress form perfectly. It is so hard to locate the second hole precisely.

I also spent time on figuring out how I am going to put all stuff together at the exhibition.
Here is my order to install my project:
1. Make the door set attached to the dress form.
2. Set up the system. make sure it runs well.
3. Put computer and arduino board into the dress form.
4. Attach the upper wood board to the waist.
5. Put dress form onto the lower wood board which attached to the stand.

Tomorrow, I will try to drill the hole.
And shoot videos again.

Base

Body

I have drawn many sketches for the human sculpture with different posture for weeks. However, because of different posture has different emotional and symbolic meaning, I limited myself to a simplest one - standing. I found that with this posture, the equal system of the interaction will be stronger. A viewer will be at a similar height with the sculpture which will look like just a common figure standing there. It will be a relaxing standing rather than a tense one. And it will be a blurry shape rather then detailed one.


Erik reminded me of one of my precedents - to create sculptures with weird postures for viewers to interact with in an awkward position. He gave me this sketching when I was drawing a real-size blueprint for my sculpture. Which made me hesitate about my standing man. Should I make it look more interesting or just keep it simple considering the limited time?


This is how I draw the blueprint on the ground. I printed a human body from web for prpotion and scale reference, and drew my sketch by hand and ruler.


While I was hesitating, Jia made this wire man for me. She said, why don't you make it flexible so you can always change its posture.

So I used this prototyping Erik's sketch.


Then I played with it for a while, trying different positions like laying on the ground, squating down, sitting...ect. As a result, I like this best. Its arms create a boundary between closeness and separation. People want to see the video clearly will have to get into its arms.


Saturday noon, I went to a location recommended by a fine art student who is making a human sculpture painting in the foundation lab. Last weekend I didn't find the secondhand market, but this time I found a lot of paper-made mannequins!!! There are two men selling those special mannequins on the street on 9Ave between 37th St. and 38th St. Price differs from$45 to $100 depending on how big it is. I was looking for a full body large one to put my laptop inside, which need at least 7 1/2" wide at its chest. And I do not want ones that with breasts or pectorals. Although they do have a great amount of collection, most of which are too skinny or too fat women. Finally I found a 2/3 body with enough depth. It costs $40 after negotiation. (Full body is $80.)

Then I brought it back to the lab with other materials, like wood pole and wood boards for making a stand.


I finished the base on Sunday. It is about 14"*14.5".


And put all elements I have on the sketch. The scale matches well.


Then I moved to the foundation lab to cut a door hole on the mannequin's chest.
Before cutting, I drilled some holes for cutting more easily.


I felt like I was killing or forcing someone to open his chest for me while I was sawing.


Done.

Then I sanded the hole to justify it to match the door.


It does not fit well because of the curve of the human's chest. So I have to make it up later. Jia suggested to put the whole door set inside its chest to make it look more natural.


From the bottom view. I put the eee pc into its chest. It fits perfectly. But to put it inside, I have to rotate and lean the laptop while getting through its waist.


Doorway leading to the screen.

Next step, I have to get this flexible mini webcam at K mart.
And finalize the interaction system.
Make the body stand.
Get chicken wire. Build legs and arms and head...
Shoot videos again with green screen next Monday.


Question:
1. What kind of appearance of the sculpture will make a viewer feel more interested and reflect himself onto it? Just a half body or a full body? White and pink? or wood and paper mache's natural color?
2. How can I make the stand connect to my figure body.
3. How can I set a friendly operation for others to switch it on and off easily? Or can the application run through 3 weeks?