Organic vs. Industrial
Title: Burdens
Medium: Found and Made Objects
Size: 10 in x 6 in
March 2017
Exhibition Text: Burdens is an organic vs. industrial sculpture that portrays the impact of my religious culture. My piece was inspired by Damien Hirst in which he also used the same materials in his artwork. My purpose for this creation was to give form to something organic, to depict my mind dilemmas about my spiritual needs, and the impact that my religious education and culture has had on my life.
Artistic Inspiration
My organic vs. industrial piece was inspired by the art collector, Damien Hirst. He is best known as a main member of the Young British Artists, who's art scene dominated the UK in the 1990's. They were most famous for challenging art concepts and using unusual materials. As a controversial artist, Hirst became of the wealthiest artists in the world, with works that included dead animal displays and spin art paintings. The main factor in his artwork was his religious education. He had an eye and interest for gruesome and grisly aspects of life and was often described as morbid. As a Catholic, Hirst began to incorporate religious aspects into his art pieces, such as the pieces below. I chose Damien Hirst as my inspiration because I too wanted to incorporate my religious culture into my organic vs. industrial piece. As a Catholic myself, I felt as though I really able to connect with this artist and his techniques. It was because of this main reason that I chose to pursue my religious theme.
Experimentation
Before attempting to start my organic vs. industrial piece, I began by brainstorming a variety of ideas be 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 on the internet for research on several artists that had work similar to the ideas that I had. As I was exploring different artists, I was able to narrow my research to one artist. After I completed my sketches, I began to pick out what materials would be necessary to use for my final sketch idea.
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 British art collector and sculptor, Damien Hirst. His artwork caught my attention because of the way the artist incorporated religious aspects and unusual material into his pieces. One of his scultures was quite similar to one of my sketches that had involved needles and razors, 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 needles and razors. I was able to put together the two to come up with the theme of . I planned on creating a piece that would portray the significance of my religious education.
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.
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 sculpting tools, pin needles, razor blades, and clay.
I began my process by first finding some inspiration and ideas. As I was searching through the internet I came across a British art collector and sculptor, Damien Hirst. His artwork caught my attention because of the way the artist incorporated religious aspects and unusual material into his pieces. One of his scultures was quite similar to one of my sketches that had involved needles and razors, 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 needles and razors. I was able to put together the two to come up with the theme of . I planned on creating a piece that would portray the significance of my religious education.
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.
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 sculpting tools, pin needles, razor blades, and clay.
5. Building Form
In order to cautiously sculpt a realistic brain, I decided to use clay, to get the right forming. This material had easy access and was very easy to manipulate which became very beneficial for completing this project.
In order to cautiously sculpt a realistic brain, I decided to use clay, to get the right forming. This material had easy access and was very easy to manipulate which became very beneficial for completing this project.
6. Sculpting the Brain
Once I had the form I wanted for my brain, I began to add the details. I did this by creating long lengths of clay, and then arranging them on the base.
Once I had the form I wanted for my brain, I began to add the details. I did this by creating long lengths of clay, and then arranging them on the base.
7. Adding Razor Blades and Pin Needles
Once I had successfully sculpted the brain, I began to add the pin needles all around for a total of ten pins. After placing the pins, I then added the razor blades and saw razor. I carefully placed them on the brain, in my desired position.
Once I had successfully sculpted the brain, I began to add the pin needles all around for a total of ten pins. After placing the pins, I then added the razor blades and saw razor. I carefully placed them on the brain, in my desired position.
8. Organic vs. Industrial
Once all the pieces were put into place, I assembled the piece onto a stand in order to hold it up.
Once all the pieces were put into place, I assembled the piece onto a stand in order to hold it up.
Reflection
If given the opportunity to complete this project again, the main step I would improve on would be researching. I do believe I had a strong inspiration and theme, however I could have dug in deeper into my religion, faith, and beliefs. This could have further improved my experimentation and ideas, leading to a stronger final piece. What I did find successful was my communication of how my religion burdens me mentally. The razors and wired cross were a nice touch that helped emphasize my pain and confusion on this religious culture is being forced upon me.
ACT Questions
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
My inspiration was Damien Hirst and in his work he uses unusual items that one might find shocking, and it was because of this I decided to use his technique to represent the impact of religious culture.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
My research focused mostly on the way my artist includes uncommon items to create beautiful pieces that represent religious beliefs and challenges. It was explained how Damien Hirst uses a lot of his religious education and as a result, comes up with some disturbing yet beautiful art pieces.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I discovered that religion can greatly influence the techniques and the ideas that comes forth and is created. Religion is one of those cultures that can greatly set standards for people's beliefs, morals, and faith. Whether one believes in a certain religion or not, it always creates an affect on one's life.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea of my inspiration was religion. What you've experienced and believe forms you into the person you are. However, there are times when ideas and beliefs are forced upon oneself, leading to the confusion of one's belief system.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
While performing my research I have concluded that myself, along with any other artists, draw inspiration from our different cultures that then factor into the creation of our art.