portfolio2013
James Kokotilo
James Kokotilo, leed green associate
This portfolio consists of a variety of art and design projects completed near the end of 2012 and throughout 2013. They are roughly grouped into the headings of Form, Structure, and Geometric Design, as displayed on the following contents page. The categories describe the primary design focus I had in mind, while completing each project. As well, I have included a selection of life drawings that use a variety of drawing techniques and materials. The photographs that make up the front, back, and front inside covers, show a close up view of a crumpled tissue paper sculpture. The many wrinkles in the paper create abstract paths for light to travel through the material.
FORM
Fibonacci Lumber // 04 Helical Pillar // 08
Crumpled Paper // 06 Windrow Wave // 10
STRUCTURE
2x4 Coffee Table // 12
Paper Prototypes // 14
GEOMETRIC Design
DRAWING
Origami Emotion // 16
Portrait // 18 Figure Study // 19
Jewelry Organizer // 17
Urban Sketch // 18
Fibonacci Lumber
In creating a piece for the 2013 Engineering Art Show, at the University of Alberta, I wanted to create a three dimensional representation of the Fibonacci spiral. I plotted the spiral on a grid, drawn on a sheet of plywood. I fastened square posts, of a specific height, along the spiral outline. Smaller posts were then cut and fastened along the outline of the first layer, cascading outward. As I continued to add layers, expanding to the edges of the plywood, a spiral valley formation resulted.
MOTIVATION: Piece for 2013 Engineering Art Show at the University of Alberta MATERIALS: Framing lumber, plywood, screws TIMELINE: February 2013 – March 2013
Form
Crumpled Paper
The crumpling technique, used to create these sculptural paper forms, involves squeezing tissue paper numerous times, to produce as many creases as possible, without it losing strength and becoming soft. Wonderfully abstract patterns emerge from each piece of crumpled tissue paper and form sculptural works that can never be repeated exactly. A surprising level of detail can be produced when the creased tissue paper is flattened over an object. This creates a ghost-like impression that appears hardened, yet can be blown away by a slight breeze.
MOTIVATION: Personal study MATERIALS: Gift wrapping tissue paper TIMELINE: December 2013
Form
Helical Column
The inspiration for this twisting pillar was the vector equation of a helix, a topic studied in the third level of calculus. I designed this helix shaped column to demonstrate curvature from a material that is typically used for purely linear applications. My father and brother, both of whom are masons, helped me build the pillar using a wood form that offset the angle, by about nine degrees, each course.
MOTIVATION: Personal study MATERIALS: Bricks, mortar TIMELINE: December 2013
Form
Windrow Wave
This sculpture was created in an evening art course in the fall of 2013. A plaster and water mixture was poured into a plastic garbage bag, creating a mold for the liquid as it began to harden. The curved shape of the hardened plaster was created by placing the garbage bag over my thigh. To me, the shape is reminiscent of the wave-like formations created when blowing snow accumulates.
MOTIVATION: Art fundamentals course MATERIALS: Dental Plaster TIMELINE: October 2013
Form
2x4 Coffee Table
In designing a coffee table for my brother’s condominium, I wanted to create a simple table, that complemented the interior design of the living room. I was given two criteria for this design. It was to be, A) constructed out of wood and B) allow visibility to the floor rug. As shown below, I made three initial table sketches and ended up building a table very similar to sketch number three, due to its slender legs. Using construction grade materials gave the table an industrial feel, yet the colors chosen resulted in a contemporary look.
MOTIVATION: Functional use MATERIALS: Cedar 2x4s, threaded steel rod, locking bolts, washers, steel hair-pin legs TIMELINE: October 2012 – December 2012
Structure
Paper Prototypes
Expanding on folding designs, outlined in Paul Jackson’s book, “Folding Techniques for Designers,” I created a series of paper objects that use Jackson’s designs as modular components. Here, I have displayed a flexible lamp shade and a chair that has the size and strength to hold a small child. An endless variety of folding patterns and arrangements, make using paper, an accessible and cost efficient method of model making.
Motivation: Personal study Materials: Cover stock computer paper Timeline: October - December 2013
Structure
Origami Emotion
Motivation: Personal study Materials: Elephant hide paper Timeline: December 2013
Here, various paper folding techniques were used to manipulate photographs of my face with odd expressions. I wanted to see how incorporating origami tessellations, with the photographs, could magnify and hide certain features of my face. What resulted from the manipulations, were some very comical looking head shots.
Jewelry Organizer
This jewelry organizer was built using scraps left over from the Fibonacci Lumber sculpture. I designed and built it for a friend whose necklaces constantly got tangled when stored in a jewelry box. My design solution displays necklaces or bracelets on a wall and acts as a functional piece of art to decorate a room.
Motivation: Functional use Materials: Wood scraps, finishing nails Timeline: August 2013
Geometric
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Portrait
Materials: 4h, 2h, HB, 2B, 4B pencil on 9� x 12� vellum Timeline: 24+ hours
Urban Sketch
Materials: Pen on Moleskin sketchbook Timeline: ~ 3 hours
Figure Study
Drawing Materials: Conte on 18” x 24” paper Timeline: ~ 30 minutes