I designed the Upholstered Puzzle Piece project to introduce my 3D Design students to:
Once the puzzle pieces were cut, padded and veneered with fabric we set out to figure out the best way to arrange them on a large scale.
We started in the Sculpture Lab parking lot.
It didn't seem like we were making the best use of the our collection of elements. There was so much variety from one piece to the next, creating a unified design was tricky. So we headed for the hill in front of the Fine Arts building with the thought that it would be sloped just enough to see the grouping from a distance.
This didn't quite work out. The slope was to gradual to accomplish what we thought we were after. The next stop was the Theater foyer. This was a small enough area that was well cropped with a floor that contrasted our puzzle pieces.
This still didn't seem to work, but it gave us the idea that juxtaposing the elements with some specific architectural features might be an exciting way to work. We headed to the gallery.
The trail of puzzle pieces seemed to be the first configuration that blended the symbolism of the puzzle with the context of the space. From there we decided we best try some things in as many locations as possible. We headed to the (very art friendly) Library.
The multiple views, from both ground level and from the balcony, provided exciting vantage points that helped us better understand the relationship of the viewer to object.
The Carillon is an obvious icon and focal point on campus. Our initial design in this space was based on the concept of a marker on a map. The students felt it was a little to cross-like so they switched to the more whimsical icon of a pinwheel.
We decided to try to make something asymmetrical. The energy level among us all was on the rise. We headed to the music building.
Using the same linear configuration, my students thought that exploring the idea of interpenetration (a design concept we had discussed on other assignments) would work if we could make the piece look like it continued through the window.
We stopped bu the student union to try a few things.
By separating the puzzle pieces and staggering them, the students were able to give them an animated quality. Something none of us expected.
The are some nice architectural features in the Eppley Administration building that had alot of potential.
Rita Henry stopped by to discuss the history and cultural significance of quilt design.
It was clear that we had to design a piece for the Pep Bowl.
A high ranking administrator from Arts and Sciences suggested that we try to integrate the Venus de Milo sculpture into our project.
The last stop was the football field. Below is our homage to the Maverick spirit.
Back to work.......
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