Distopia & Algorithm

We started with a set of directions, a group and a goal to create a world for objects that dwell. The group I was assigned to sat down and decided an abstract way to come up with a number to start with. We decided to measure the length of our urine each time throughout one day. We then added all of out numbers up and divided that number by 5, because there was 5 of us in the group. The resulting number was rounded to 10.

Once we had our number, we then needed to create another algorithm to create shapes. We took a map of the united states and drew lines connecting each of the states alphabetically. The lines intersected and connected to create multiple geometric shapes in many sizes. These where the shapes we used to inform our structures.

We then created a list of things that dwell and places they dwell in. Including dreams, dogs, air, viruses, food, and people to state a few, our list was quite extensive and inventive.

Once we had our list we used out number to count from the bottom of one list and the top of the other list ending up with strange combinations of dwellers and dwellings.

The three combinations I obtained where, Community center for light, a Court house for dreams and a Mall for keyboards. Ultimately I decided against working as a group and chose to work individually building all three structures on my own,

After building my community center for light, I also felt no connection to the mall for keyboards and chose to reuse the algorithm to get a different combination. which resulted in my 3rd structure becoming a chair for spiders.

Court House for Dreams

Community Center for Light

Chair for Spiders

Artist Statement

Comfort Quilt

Aluminum Cans & Staples

This piece was made by focusing on the repetitive action of collecting a single object and discovering the story that was created within that process. Directed by the narrative history of American Quilters this piece looks at the ways in which consumerism has replaced out heritage. The quilt represents the same ideals embedded in traditional quilts through technique, patter, collection of an item and story telling. However, it is a revealing look at the minimal ways in which we find ways to carry tradition through to the next generation.

While creating this piece i had hoped to create a large scale quilt that would be displayed on a bed with pillow shams. Unfortunately due to time constraints and limited access to materials I was only able to create this 3'x3' sample.

In progress

The quilt is coming along.....
I have laid out a pattern and developed a method for putting it together

Process of project 1: Accumulations

While my project is no where near complete they are the first number of steps I took in creating it.




I collected a lot of aluminum cans. I tried to collect a variety of styles to enhance the final product. I also collected the materials I would be needing to work with. This included scissors, gloves, a rule, a knife, and a stapler.



Once all the materials where gathered, I began by cutting the cans open at the top with the knife. This was to get the opening in the can started. Once the whole was there, the scissors where easy to use.





I made sure to save the tops, bottoms and scraps because I am not sure if they will be useful to me yet throughout this process.



After each piece of aluminum was cut away from the top and bottom of the can, I measured and cut it to a 3" wide strip.



Using the ruler and scissors I then measured and cut each piece into a 3" X 3" square.



Once each square was cut correctly I then made a diagonal cut across creating 2 triangles. I used these shapes in opposing directions to give the effect of a pinwheel quilt pattern.



Using the stapler I fixed them together.

And then placed each square next to each other mirroring the way in which a traditional American Quilt is laid out.

Project One : Accumulations

Historically sculpture has carried with it a permanent and monumental quality using materials chosen for their resistance to weather and decay including bronze, stone, steel, etc. However, contemporary artists have begun to challenge the traditional notion of permanent sculpture by choosing to work with materials in a way that is intended to be only an ephemeral statement, thus freeing themselves from extremely high material and labor costs and working with readily available found objects. This choice, both opens new possibilities for expression, and elevates materials that often times are seen as disposable and without value.

In our first project we’ll be focusing on sculptural installations created through an accumulation of material. As we know, any material carries with it cultural associations, an individual history, function, personal memories, physical properties including weight, color, texture, etc. The focus of our first project is going to be to explore the metaphorical implications of creating sculpture through the accumulation of a single material.

I chose aluminum as my medium.