2009年3月2日 星期一

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?

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