Ephemera
Title: Demolished
Medium: Candles
November 2016
Exhibition Text: Demolished is an Ephemera piece that portrays the importance of not loosing connections and our strength. My piece was inspired by Nicki Sucec in which she also used candles. My purpose for this creation was to give form and metaphor to both the vulnerability and tenacity of human life and our relationships with others
Artist Inspiration
My Ephemera piece was inspired by the artists, Nicki Sucec. This artist specializes in sculpting and multimedia instillation. The meaning behind most of her work is based around social stigmatization, environmental degradation and personal trauma or adversity. These works of art are often made from the physical materials that resonate around. For my project, I wanted to portray the way one is similar to a bridge, strong, sturdy, connecting, and stable. However, like any bridge it can be destroyed, burned to the ground. This symbolizes how people can be teared apart and how it is easy for one to fall by destroying the bonds most important to you This is similar to the work of Nicki Sucec because of the use of candles and the bases of personal trauma.
Experimentation:
Before attempting to start my the ephemera piece, I began by brainstorming a variety of ideas, by searching for materials and sketching. I came up with at least three sketches that I knew I was capable of doing. After creating the sketches for the plans I came up with, I looked towards the internet to find research on several artists that had work similar to that of my creation. As I was preforming my search, I was able to narrow my research down to one artist. After I completed my sketches, I began to pick out which materials I was going to use.
At the start of my process, I had come across some difficulties. I had a hard time getting my candles to stick to the pan once I had finished manipulating them. It took me several tries to figure out how I would be able to keep them standing on their own. At first I tried to use tinfoil, hoping it would stick to that layering, but unfortunately this only caused it to slip around and fall. Then I tried to melt the bottom of the candles onto the pan, by placing the pan directly over the stove, heating the bottom. This also did not work because it was melting too quickly, which prevented it from letting it dry.
Process:
1. Gathering ideas
I began my process by first finding some inspiration and ideas. As I was searching through the internet I came across a memorial sculpture, Shopping Cart Memorial done by Nicki Sucec. This piece caught my attention because of the way the artist used candles to manipulate and place them onto the shopping cart. This piece of art was quite similar to one of my sketches that had involved candles, so I pursued it and created a new idea.
I began my process by first finding some inspiration and ideas. As I was searching through the internet I came across a memorial sculpture, Shopping Cart Memorial done by Nicki Sucec. This piece caught my attention because of the way the artist used candles to manipulate and place them onto the shopping cart. This piece of art was quite similar to one of my sketches that had involved candles, so I pursued it and created a new idea.
2. Finding the meaning
After brainstorming my final sketch, I had to research possible meanings behind candles and bridges. I was able to put together the two to come up with the theme of stability. I planned on creating a piece that would portray the importance of connections, and how easy it is to fall apart when you destroy your connections and bonds.
After brainstorming my final sketch, I had to research possible meanings behind candles and bridges. I was able to put together the two to come up with the theme of stability. I planned on creating a piece that would portray the importance of connections, and how easy it is to fall apart when you destroy your connections and bonds.
3. Transferring my ideas
Once I had a solid plan with a meaning attached, I re-sketched what I wanted my final piece to look like. I did this in order for it to be made clear as to what steps I would have to follow, similar to a blueprint.
Once I had a solid plan with a meaning attached, I re-sketched what I wanted my final piece to look like. I did this in order for it to be made clear as to what steps I would have to follow, similar to a blueprint.
4. Gathering Materials
When I finished with the layout of my piece, I began to gather the resources and materials necessary to make my work. This included over 20 candles, a pan for boiling water, a pan to place my candles and a stove.
When I finished with the layout of my piece, I began to gather the resources and materials necessary to make my work. This included over 20 candles, a pan for boiling water, a pan to place my candles and a stove.
5. Manipulating the Candles
The candles I had purchased had come as a straight candlestick, because of this I had to find method that would allow me to easily bend a candle without having it break. Using what I know about making home made candles, I decided to place each of the candlesticks into a pan of boiling water. The boiling water warmed up the candles, making it easy to bend. I took out the candles one by one and manipulated each into a forming arch before it cooled down.
The candles I had purchased had come as a straight candlestick, because of this I had to find method that would allow me to easily bend a candle without having it break. Using what I know about making home made candles, I decided to place each of the candlesticks into a pan of boiling water. The boiling water warmed up the candles, making it easy to bend. I took out the candles one by one and manipulated each into a forming arch before it cooled down.
6. Building Structure
In order to begin forming a bridge like structure, I used the remaining wax that had formed over the boiling water after it had cooled down. I did this in order to get the candles to stick together. This also made it possible for me to stick them onto the pan holding them up.
In order to begin forming a bridge like structure, I used the remaining wax that had formed over the boiling water after it had cooled down. I did this in order to get the candles to stick together. This also made it possible for me to stick them onto the pan holding them up.
7. Ephemera
After I had finished building the bridge like structure, I let it dry completely. Once the wax was fully dry, I peeled it off the pan and moved it over to a flat glass surface. From here I placed it into a dimmed room with a blank solid background and I set up the piece. Then I lit the candles up, one by one, until it was completely lit. I let the candle bridge burn, taking photos of it along the way, until the wax had melted away completely.
After I had finished building the bridge like structure, I let it dry completely. Once the wax was fully dry, I peeled it off the pan and moved it over to a flat glass surface. From here I placed it into a dimmed room with a blank solid background and I set up the piece. Then I lit the candles up, one by one, until it was completely lit. I let the candle bridge burn, taking photos of it along the way, until the wax had melted away completely.
Reflection:
Overall, my ephemera piece was a success. I was able to portray the message I chose in the way I had pictured in my head. If I were to go back and do this project again, I would have liked to gather more resources, in this case being candles, to make the piece bigger. I also would have set up my piece in a better room with more space, so that I could have allowed the wax to drip more. i would have used a camera with a much better quality in order to captured every angle perfectly and clearly. Aside from these few limitations, I am content with my final turnout. Creating this piece was by far the most fun and challenging.