WHAT I DISCOVERED: That I have things about this lamp that I'm willing to change and things that I'm not. Some of the suggestions I got I really didn't like and thought they ruined my original concept. I'm going to stick to my guns and I'm ok with that- there are still a lot of things that i agree need to be changed. I have a very limited experience constructing 3D objects and everytime I do I learn a little bit more about what mistakes I made and what tools I should use/what's available. For one thing, the shade wobbles because I drilled the hole for the lamp nipple too large. Oops- won't make that mistake again. As far as the shade and the painting- I chose paint because I feel comfortable working with it and I chose canvas because I knew I could paint on it. Those were not the right choices for the effect I originally wanted. I guess you don't kow these things until you try it though.
WHAT'S NEXT: Since I don't have a clear idea of how I want to redo the lamp (which is super annoying because I'm running out of time.... aaahhhhhhhh!) I've started brainstorming different shapes which either sit on a table or hang on a wall and use wood, metal, and shade. What I really need to do next is a material test. I need different fabrics and I need to experiment on them with things like ink instead of paint and see how each one looks when illuminated. I have no money at the moment so I may have to wait until I can buy some materials to do this. However, this would be a good thing to do while I'm deciding on the shape. I've included some sketches of different shapes and I'm sure there will be more- there's just too many options. Here's a few sketches:
ERICA: I looked for you in the studios 3 times yesterday and couldn't find you- I should've just talked to you right away- i'm a dummy. Anyways I hear you're into fabrics so if you have fabric suggestions for shades let me know. I'm looking for something that will hold paint or ink, has a higher thread count, and has some give to it so it can be stretched over a frame without perfect sewing. Any suggestions of things to try?
Here's my lamp- try #1: The first pic is without any diffusion material which made the painting look horrible :(
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteIf you want to reference the human body, then go with the more organic shapes- but don't get too literal (the hand/arm designs are a step too far). Likewise, some of your designs look like stretched skin: dead rather than alive. This lamp is intended for a tatoo parlor, not a morgue- keep that in mind.
Definately try sythetic materials- as they stretch more fluently than fabrics or canvas (plus they feel like skin). I keep thinking of the latex they use for turniquits- I think that comes in sheets?
If it is intended to be placed in a tatoo parlor, then think about its function in the tatoo parlor. Is it there to light the person's skin getting the tatoo? Is it lighting the book of designs to choose from? Is it on the counter, lighting checkbooks? Is it there just for ambience? Think of its function, then choose a design. Maybe you just make a shade for an existing light?
I think it needs to be more personal. Instead of standing in for a buisness, have it stand in for a specific tatoo artist. Get specific; right now it is too general to really be engaging. There is a whole history of furniture standing in for people: specifically chairs and lamps. Look up Ed and Nancy Kienholz and the word: metonymy (think about its application in terms or metaphor).
You're 99% there, I hope you feel the same way!
-Sean