Finished Science and Nature Project

The following images are of my finished 'Science and Nature Project,' which was photographed in the photography studio located in Millenium Hall (UW-Stout).

Overall, I am happy with the finished 'drawing.' The finished project measures [approximately] 5' wide (from the two furthest points of the fallopian tubes) x [approx.] 3' high x a foot and a half to 2' [where the base (vagina) extends outward]; in addition, it has approximately 10-12 lbs. of wax covered over the surface area, with the majority of the weight from the wax located on the base (vagina/battlefield). I haven't calculated the exact number of army men used throughout the composition, but I assure you, it was a lot!!

I do wish more time would have been allocated to complete this project because of the technical/structural issues I encountered. Ideally, I would have preferred to use wood, rather than foam core, to stabilize the drawing, wax, army men, etc... The foam core, as suspected, didn't withstand the weight of the wax too readily. Complications especially arose during transportation. The problems primarily occurred where the base connects and forms a 90 degree angle (in the 'vaginal/battlefield' region).

If you would like to see more photographs of this project, please see my photobucket account, which is where the images have been downloaded. You may click on either of the images above or click on the following link:
http://photobucket.com/jensstudioart_finishedscienceandnatureproject

Science and Nature Project - Process images

The following images and links provided are intended to give an idea of my process for the Science and Nature Project.  

First, I did an under-drawing of the female reproductive system. It was a pain in the a$$ because of the scale.  I ended up having to use 4 different sheets of paper (i.e. the 22" x 30" artist-quality paper).  To the right are images of the pencil underdrawing(s).

The first underdrawing pic is of the central area (i.e. the uterus, cervix, the 'branches' to the ovaries, the start of the fallopian tubes) and it also shows a few of the reference images I was looking at for this project.  The second image also shows the central area with the addition of a one-dollar bill placed next to the image to give a sense of scale of/to the drawing.  (Note: The dollar is not part of the composition.)

As I went along, I did more experiments with the materials I would be using on this project.  As you may have seen in one of my earlier blog posts, in which, I placed images of two of my pastel/wax on paper drawing experiments; these earlier studies were done on sketchbook paper and were not attached to foam core.  However, the images on the left consist of pastel on [artist-quality] paper which was attached to foam core using 3-M spray adhesive.  The drawing was set with a [pastel] spray fixative, I then used wax to hold the army men in place.  

On the left is an image of some of the egg experiments I did for this project.  Each egg has a gold-colored ball inside of it.  The balls were made using Sculpey clay; then, after the balls were baked, each was painted with (one of two shades of gold-colored) 'Liquitex Glossies' acrylic paint(s).  The egg on the left looks 'foggy' because a different technique was used on it, than the other two (to the right).  My 'normal process' consisted of (1)pouring wax into each 1/2 of an egg mold, (2)placing the ball in one of the sides, and (3)connecting the two sides of the mold together to create the egg.  For the egg on the left, rather than using my 'normal process,' I tried painting in between layers of wax.  I didn't use this technique for my project, but it was still worth the learning experience.  

To the right is my project drawn in pastel, before the vagina was added to the composition.  At this point in the process, the drawing has already been attached to foam core (using 3M spray adhesive).  [Note...I had started to cut it out prior to taking a process pic, which is why there are small gaps in some of the areas.  Also, the blue (painter's) tape was used to connect (hold) the sheets of paper together while I was drawing the image and while I spray-mounted it to the foam core.]  

This last image, on the right, shows the final stage of the drawing process and the beginning stage(s) of applying wax to the piece (as seen on the left ovary and fallopian tube in the image).  The entire drawing has been attached to foam core and, also, has been cut-out (i.e. the white paper behind the image is for background purposes only, and is not part of the piece.)  (Note...The bucket, also, is not part of the composition; it was used to temporarily stabilize the piece while I photographed it because it was a little 'top-heavy' prior to adding the wax and army men.) 

If you'd like to see more of my process images, I have posted the vast majority of them on my photobucket account.  To access/view these images, click on any of the images above, or follow this link:  http://photobucket.com/jensstudioart_scienceandnatureprocessimages

Some of these photos may also be viewed on my flickr account.  To access/view my flickr page, click on the following link:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jensteindl/

Note: If you're viewing images on my flickr page, see the 'sets' entitled (1) "pencil underdrawings," (2) "Egg Experiments," and (3) "Pastel Drawings."

UWEC Drawing Exhibit

Tuesday, February 17 our Drawing III class took a field trip to the Foster Gallery at UWEC to see the drawing exhibit.  The title of the show was appropriately entitled "Drawing Beyond the Edges."  The class was instructed to pick three of the works of art displayed and to take notes on the observations we make about each piece (also instructed to spend 1/2 hr. in front of each of the three works we chose).  Thus, below are the three works I chose, along with my observations. 

Edward Mayer

-Repetition; contrast; found objects; bed/mattress springs; 

-maze/entrapment; different paths one can take; climbing rope ladder (e.g. used in training courses to go over walls)

-heavy vs. light (the foam looks heavier and lighter in different areas because of the color and how it's displayed) 

-chaos vs. simplicity; spiraling effect(s); control of balance

-white-colored central 'springs'/'coils' in middle = nucleus/heart (?) 

-obstacle course; miniature golf course; connections (and transitions) between the various different materials utilized 

-scale (it spans from one end of the gallery to the other)

-interacts with the other artists' work in the gallery (at times, it almost "frames" the other work)

-display/presentation choices -> hanging from rafters, sitting on the floor, taped to the floor, hanging on

 the wall, etc...

(More images of Edward Mayer's work are available on my flickr page -> click HERE)

(Or go to Amy Fichter's flickr page -> click HERE)

(UWEC gallery photos on Amy's flickr account are around pages 7/8 and up)

Cal Lane 

-Religious iconography (crosses; cathedral floor plans, etc...)

-Repetition within and between pieces 

-Playing with contradictions (e.g. feminine vs. masculine; relationship between rectangle and circles; etc...)

-Intricate/delicate/dainty lace motifs around the

 borders/edges [delicate = generally is a characteristic attributed to women]

-Maps w/grids and/or graphs throughout

 images(s) [navigation = generally is a skill attributed to men]

-natural objects on something man-made 

-Imagery Examples -> world map; lace; astrological signs; family emblem/'coat of arms;' castle; trees; mask; compass w/face above it [controlling (blowing) compass direction(s)]; anchor; dragon; doe and buck; human figure (in Buddhist-like pose); semi-truck; foliage; 

-ready-made objects -> cut-open, flattened, transformed, etc...

-specific r/m chosen = significant to the concept/theme/mood of the piece as a whole --> oil drums (and/or cans) [reference to the war in Iraq and religion(s)]

-color = rusty -> gives the work(s) an aged/ancient/old feeling 

-intricate lace motifs around the borders/edges 

-Functional change -> barrel/can with the function of holding oil has been transformed into a decoration-based form 

-three "barrels" on one wall displayed next to each other and three "cans" on a different wall displayed next to each

 other -> create 'triptychs' = symbolic of the 'Holy Trinity'

(To view more photos of Cal Lane's work, visit my flick page -> click HERE)

(Or, visit Amy Fichter's flickr page to see more photos -> click HERE)

(For the UWEC gallery photos on Amy's flickr account see pgs 7/8 and up)

Fraser Taylor 

-sexuality and decay 

-abstract drawings 

-diagrams 

-the letters 'i,' 'o,' and 'u' intertwined in various components of the piece

-display/presentation choices (1)two pieces shown here on the left were sitting/resting on the floor and were also separated from the larger body of the composition (located near one of the gallery

 entrances); which was basically at the other end of the gallery--and--(2) the 'larger body of the composition' was displayed off the ground on various forms of fixture-hanging devices (e.g. 'L's,' nails, hangers, etc...)

-varieties in surface treatments (high gloss vs. matte vs. textures vs. etc...)

-Variety of mixed media (e.g. wood; paper; paint; nylon, jean, & other fabrics; metal; etc...)

(To view more photos of Fraser Taylor's work, visit my flickr page -> click HERE)

(Or visit Amy Fichter's flickr page -> click HERE)

(For UWEC gallery pics, see pgs. 7/8 and up)

Science and Nature Project - Experimental Drawing Pieces

These are a few practice pieces I have done.  My drawings were done in pencil and pastel, then 'Delocroix' spray fixative was applied.  I then used 'GEL-WAX' (a type of candle wax) over top of the drawings.  

 I like how the wax is working (i.e. the visual effects of it).

 However, after letting my 'test pieces' sit over the weekend, there is some sort of oily residue around the images and thick areas of gel-wax.  So, I will probably need to reinforce my paper with something to help stabilize it - because I am guessing that the oils from the wax have weakened  my paper.  As of now, I do plan on cutting away the negative space of the drawing in the final piece (i.e. all areas where you see white paper will be gone).  

I have talked with a few different people who have used wax in the past on various projects; all of whom, either used bees-wax or other varieties of wax which had delicate working abilities (e.g. the wax cracked very easily when it was moved-esp. in cases where the surface area wasn't

 solid or stabilized, the wax chipped easily, etc...).  The gel-wax, I have found, does not crack and; however, it does pick-up finger prints very easily.  

My 'egg' didn't quite turn out like I was hoping it would, thus far.  We'll see what happens...

I've posted more of the photos I took on photobucket.com.  To view these images, click on any of the three images or follow the link specified below.

www.photobucket.com/steindlj_scienceandnature_experimentaldrawings

Group Feedback about 'Science and Nature' Project

My groups feedback, overall, was positive.  I was struggling with a few issues of presentation and received helpful suggestion of different mediums I may want to explore (e.g. 'artist wax').  Discussion of my concept took us in a few different directions, one of which was to U-tube.  Chrissy showed me this video and I absolutely love it!!!  This is a link to it: 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XD6-rcxMiw0

Science and Nature

Within the parameters of 'Science and Nature,' the question I am asking is, "How does the human reproduction process influence gender roles and stereotypes in our society?"  That is, how does the biological behavior of the sperm seeking the egg influence how men and women act in their daily lives?  The areas of science my question is related to are the biology of human sexual reproduction and sexology.  

My exploration of this topic will visually represent the action/process of reproduction (i.e. fertilization of the egg) - bringing the inside process to the outside; which is one theory proposed by certain feminists.  The notion suggested by such feminists is that gender roles are present in the physical biological systems of men and women, specifically in the act of sexual reproduction.  Millions of sperm are ejaculated by the male into the female's vagina, all seeking to 'win' the 'trophy' - which is to 'conquer' by fertilizing the female's egg, and thus, produce offspring.  The female's egg is in a subordinate role as she (i.e. the egg) is stagnant and waiting for the male to woo her (i.e. waiting to be fertilized).  Males, on the other hand, are all aggressively trying to get her first (i.e. fertilize the egg) and will fight (& kill) each other to win the 'war.'  So, if we were to think of this implication in society, men play the dominant role which is aggressive and competitive in nature; whereas women play the subordinate role that is passive and maternal.  The female sexual reproductive organs become a 'battlefield' where the strongest and most worthy male (i.e. sperm) is the one who wins the 'war.'  Men are the 'soldiers/warriors' attempting to be 'king of the mountain' by being the strongest & most aggressive, and by killing all those who get in their way (i.e. they eliminate the competition). 

My representation of this concept will consist of using mixed media.  I am planning on having a drawing of the internal female reproductive organs which will act as a 'landscape' (i.e. the 'battlefield'), and have (3-dimensional) toy soldiers wage war upon each other in their attempts to 'conquer' and 'win' the 'trophy' (the female's egg).  

I am still currently researching for the names of the specific people who have studied similar subject matter with regards to the connection between gender roles and human biological functions during reproduction.  There are many people who have done similar studies.  Darwin's theories, for example, examined human male and female characteristics and gender roles which coincided with his or her sex (e.g. 'sexual selection,' 'survival of the fittest,' etc...).

Past and Present Drawing; Experience, Interest, and Function

In class on Thursday, January 29th, we split-up into groups and discussed questions about what drawings have been used for in the past and what drawings are used for in the present, our experiences with drawing as a viewer and as a drawer, when drawing has been the most interesting to us, and what we think should be the function of drawing. 

Our list of what drawing has been used for in the past included documentation, drafting, under-paintings, maps, decorations, research ('studies') for other projects, recreational, commissions, etc...  We came to the conclusion that many of the uses today are similar; however, through technological advancements many of these have become obsolete.  It has become more conventional to use up-to-date tools (e.g. computer-based programs, documentation w/photographs, etc...).  

Our experiences were based upon design elements & principles and concepts present in drawings, appreciation, and adoration.  As a viewer and a drawer, we learn how to refine our own drawings; we are constantly learning more about how to draw and about what constitutes as a drawing.  Drawing has been most interesting to us, when we have pushed our own boundaries, and in doing so, were able to see the evolution/progression of the work created. Another interesting aspect of drawing, is when you look back at the artwork you did as a child - the simplicity, the freedom, and the use of technical aspects used (which, as a child, you didn't even know existed). The function of drawing is... open ...