Evita Carrasco

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

A Natural History of the Senses Relief Sculpture

Mountain of Color
Pom-poms, hot-glue, wood, markers
16 x 18 inches

Artist Reflection Statement

This piece entitled Mountain of Color is a relief sculpture inspired by the readings found in Diane Ackerman’s book A Natural History of the Senses. The specific topic found in the book talks about blindness, and it’s association with touch “skin with eyes”. Historically, works of art can be found that accommodates to the blind like maps. Raised maps allow touch to receive information rather than the eyes.

Taken from inspiration, to visually communicate that, I created a relief sculpture using pom-poms, wood, glue, and ink. Similar to a map, the wood is used as a base with raised pom-pom sculptures in an organic matter. Lined around the pom-pom’s are representations of similar lines found on elevation maps. The raised materials and the texture from the pom-pom’s connect to the sense of touch. While the child-like bright colors relate to sight. Both sight and touch have a connection in the inspiration and here I am able to demonstrate the connection in the relief sculpture.

Inspiration

Troy Emery
https://troyemery.net/

Suzan Shutan
http://www.suzanshutan.com/pom-poms/?ssp_iabi=1683051923592

Berco Wilsenach
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/te-water-gelaat/vgF-4GFGk-EyTQ

Momento

Bonds
Thread, felt, wood
2 inches

Artist Reflection Statement

Bonds is a sentimental piece inspired by a memory I have with my younger sister. When I was in high school and she in middle school, we both had to take the city bus. One day, my sister said she was confident enough to take the bus by herself at the bus stop that dropped her closer to her school instead of going with me. I trusted her and went on my way but only to hear my name called halfway through my walk. I turned around to see my sister with tears in her eye. She wasn’t ready and I comforted her as we walked to the stop together. I was very fond of this moment because it reminds me of being a position of caring for her, compared to now where she grown up and rarely needs me for help.

This piece only has three materials, 2 wooden balls, felt, and red thread. The felt represents the warmth in the moment and remembering the big winter coat my sister wore when I had turned around. The color is significant too as it was a gloomy day where it had rained the morning prior. The thread wrapped around represent the bond I have with my sister and in that moment comforted her in the embrace. Bonds is a significant piece as it shows the duality we had in the moment and how it will remain that way the older we get.

Inspiration

Marco Tirelli
http://socks-studio.com/2014/12/08/i-grew-up-here-but-i-never-felt-entirely-part-of-it-marco-tirellis-tiny-sculptures/

Chris Weaver
http://chrisweaver.co.nz/

Louise Bourgeois
http://artsy.net/

On Longing

Click here to view On Longing post

Experimental Sculpture Collection

Sculpture 1

Dark Waters
Cardboard, gel-medium, tracing paper, ink, thread
8 inches

Sculpture 2

Aspens
Balsa wood, cardboard, Elmer’s glue, ink
10.5 inches

Sculpture 3

Spider Corners
Balsa wood, thread, hot-glue, wire, ink
9 inches

Artist Reflection Statement

The three sculpture collection consisting of Dark Waters, Aspens, and Spiders Corner are all unrepresentative. However, they consistently have a narrative composition. Dark Waters particularly is inspired by a sense of danger, movement, and intensity. Aspens demonstrates repetition. The spaces between each stick relate to the forest and its liminal space. And lastly, Spiders Corner consist of negative space but also displays a chaotic mess of threads that create texture.

These pieces allowed me to explore the different uses of materials and how simple things like glue and paper can turn an object into a story. What I’d like to do differently however would be expanding the pieces, making them a bit bigger in scale.

Inspiration

Julian Watts
http://www.julianwattsstudio.com/

Letta Rich
https://www.saatchiart.com/leisar

Button Durrell
http://marybuttondurell.com/

Monday, May 1, 2023

Visual Symbols

Sculpture 1

Miss America
Air-dry clay, ink, wire
4 inches

Sculpture 2

Nana
Air-dry clay, ink, wire
5.5 inches

Artist Reflection Statement

The first sculpture titled Miss America was inspired by the culture in the entertainment business surrounding women. Primarily in the film industry, the field is heavily male dominate. Throughout history women artist ands actors are subjected to sexualization and it becomes apart of the culture. I intended to visual communicate that with the use of the visual symbol, the star to represent fame. Additionally the blue, white and off colored red connects to the American culture.

My second sculpture entitled Nana was inspired by hispanic family values represented on my fathers side. Women play a big role in being the protectors and “mothers” of the home and family. To represent that, the women is shaped like a home. The ink is meant to look distressed giving a feel of wear-and-tear with time. The additional egg symbols represent fertility and additionally connect to Hispanic culture as eggs are a recurring food in cultural dishes.

Research

Why aren’t there more women film directors?
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20191129-why-arent-there-more-women-film-directors

The article explores the under-representation of women film directors in the movie industry, both in Hollywood and globally. It discusses the systemic barriers and cultural biases that women filmmakers face, such as lack of funding, access to resources, and gender stereotypes. The article also examines the efforts being made to address these issues, such as the rise of female-driven film festivals and the inclusion rider, a contractual clause that requires diversity in the cast and crew. The author argues that it is essential to create a more inclusive industry, where women have equal opportunities to tell their stories and contribute to the art of cinema.

Gender Bias Reveals Consequences For Female Artist
https://www.npr.org/2020/01/24/799163534/gender-bias-reveals-consequences-for-female-artists

The article discusses the issue of gender bias in the art world and its impact on female artists. It cites research studies that show how women artists face discrimination and lower visibility compared to male artists, resulting in fewer opportunities for them to exhibit their work, receive grants, and achieve recognition. The article highlights several examples of female artists who have experienced gender bias, including the case of a museum director who was criticized for exhibiting too many women artists.

Family Values: Latino stories
https://www.npr.org/programs/latino-usa/457373486/family-values

The podcast episode of "Latino USA" that explores the issue of family separation of immigrant families in the United States. The podcast tells the story of a mother who was separated from her daughter at the border and the emotional impact it had on both of them.