October 2024 – Page 2 – Digital Sculpture 1: Fabrication

Caitlin Bucceri – Project 4 Step 3

Caitlin Bucceri – Distorted Sculpture CNC Project Step 2

The sculpture I have chosen is called the Striding Eagle and depicts an eagle with a strong stance and careful stare that gives a feeling of sadness or anger depending on the angle. The wings are partly outstretched and the one foot is taking a small stride forward.

The eagle is a common representation of America since it is the national bird. However, it has also been used as a symbol of victory, longevity, bravery, honor, and more. I think the stride the eagle is taking symbolizes a step forward after a war or a time of trouble, big or small. The power stance looks like that of a soldier or warrior that leads people to freedom or safety. The wings outstretched also gives a sense of protection as it takes this step.

The eagle reminds me of the world and my sorority’s crest that has the head of the eagle. It also is just a sign of history to me not only being present during some major events that have shaped our country but also being used by others like the Romans.

I want to distort this sculpture in a way that portrays the strong, protective feeling. I also think showing its well-rounded use or meanings that are all positive would also be important for the distortion. The type of distortion I want to use is some twisting and duplication patterns to protect an object to display this endangered species being the protector and leader.

Case Sylvester – Step #2 Project #4

Direct, Literal Depiction

I have chosen to work with the sculpture Deux chiens de meute à l’attache, which depicts two dogs, which appear to be hunting dogs, restrained by leashes. The dogs are positioned in a lifelike manner, showcasing their muscular forms and alert expressions. They are both tied down and held back by a tree stump or root. The male dog is on all four legs standing tall and alert, while the female is sitting beside the male more reserved.

Denotation

In my opinion, the sculpture seems to represent the relationship between humans and animals, specifically the role of dogs in hunting and companionship. It signifies the loyalty and obedience of dogs, as well as their importance in human activities, particularly in hunting contexts. As I take into account the postures of the hounds, I also think that this sculpture signifies the idea that dogs are generally curious and protective.

Connotations

The dogs carry connotations of companionship, loyalty, and service. They evoke thoughts of the bond between humans and animals, as they suggest themes of protection. I also think the restrained aspect of the sculpture might represent the tensions between freedom and domestication. The dogs are literally being held back by a more powerful creature and don’t appear to be free. This piece also reminds me of hunting and hunting dogs, as typically dogs are used to help find animals that are being hunted and are held back until the animal is killed so that they can then be released to fetch it.

Relationship of Distortion

In my distorted version of the sculpture, I want to explore the duality of companionship or freedom, with confinement.

Type of Distortion

I really want to exaggerate the dogs’ forms, maybe by stretching and twisting their bodies and creating an almost surreal representation. This distortion will suggest a tension between their natural instincts and the constraints imposed by humans. I may also want to play with cage editing. Overall, I want to exaggerate and expand on their struggle and anxiousness when being constrained by humans…maybe by even exaggerating their eyes and facial expressions.

Project 4 Part 1-3- Kendall Zinn

Part 1:

Part 2: “Thetis” by Casper Gras depicts the Greek goddess Thetis who is known for her feminine beauty and motherly tendencies. She is in a contemplative pose where she is seen in drapings with her hair in an updo. She is sitting and holding a swan-like animal very sternly with a hand around its base and a hand around its throat. Given the context of who Thetis is, I deduct that this sculpture is about motherly protection and sacrifice. While she is seen to be hurting the swan, I think that she is still depicted to be graceful. I think that this sends the message about duality and while women are thought to be pure but they can also be “dangerous”. The drapings on Thetis have the connotation of an ideal being such as a Greek goddess. I also think the drapings give a sense of the importance ancient Greece has placed on beauty and the human experience. The swan only strengthens the connotations of beauty and grace that Thetis already depicts. Also both women and swans signify purity and innocence. I have different ideas of ways to distort this sculpture. One of the ways I think I could distort it is by adding a feminine figure standing behind Thetis offering a supportive hand on the shoulder. By adding this figure, I think it would send a message regarding motherly figures and support. It would represent the ways in which all of our maternal figures are still with us today through the impact they’ve had on our lives. I was also thinking about distorting Thetis through entangling Thetis with the swan. I think that swirling the two figures together could offer an interesting perspective of animal and human cohabitation and the way we interact with each other. Lastly, I think it would be interesting to distort the sculpture by making the swan appear abnormally small, to suggest how we often dominate nature whether that be a good thing or bad thing. Or in reverse, making Thetis small could offer commentary about how we are seen to be the lesser beings from the ways we have destroyed our environment.

Part 3:

Oluwasefunmi Oluwafemi – Project 4 (Write Up)

Thorn Carving – Pounding Grain

What does Pounding Grain depict in a direct, literal sense?

This sculpture depicts a Nigerian woman using a mortar and pestle to pound food, likely grain, for consumption. The image is a representation of an everyday activity that holds deep cultural meaning, as it highlights the woman’s role in food preparation.

What does Pounding Grain denote?

The sculpture symbolizes the value of sacrifice in Nigerian culture, particularly the role of women in supporting their families. The woman’s act of pounding grain is not just about preparing food—it represents her dedication and the sacrifices made to ensure the well-being of her household.

What connotations does Pounding Grain carry — what undertones or associations?

The mortar and pestle evoke personal memories of my childhood, reminding me of my mother’s connection to her homeland. When she received a mortar and pestle from our village, it helped her feel grounded. Watching her prepare meals and later learning to use the tool myself created a lasting sense of cultural continuity.

How do you want your distorted version of this sculpture to relate to the literal, denotative, and connotative ideas you’ve outlined above? Are there any particular ideas you want to explore or resist in your distorted version of the sculpture?

I want the distorted version to emphasize the nostalgia of learning these traditions from my mother and reflect the communal values embedded in this act. It will tie to the themes of sacrifice, cultural preservation, and community.

Please describe the type of distortion you’ll use and explain its conceptual significance.

I plan to add images or symbols of children to represent the passing down of cultural practices. This distortion will explore how these traditions are preserved across generations, emphasizing the cultural continuity I hope to maintain for my future children.

tommy 3 sketches

tommy writing proj. 4

In a literal sense, this statue depicts Queen Margaret of France. She is wearing what appears to be a crown of sorts, and is wearing a cloak. I think the statue of queen margaret signifies wealth and power. Her gaze is looking downward with an expression of disgust or distaste. This leads me to believe her expression is directed towards her subjects from a place of power and privilege. I want to make sure I emphasize the power she holds over her subjects through distortion. By stretching the sculpture to emphasize her downward gaze, I think I can achieve this. There are other methods like making her bust look like a wave or c shape, demonstrating the unreachability of the crown. Going off of the crown specifically, the object that represents her power the most, I could try making it larger or more dominant to emphasize it. I also spoke a lot about her gaze, which gives me the idea that I could make her expression of disgust extremely exaggerated. I could make her look mortified with an almost inhuman appearance, to emphasize her feeling of superiority above humans.