METAL BOX :) HAPTIC SPACE & MATERIALITY: PROJECT #1
PROCESS DOCUMENTATION & PRESENTATION
RESEARCH IMAGE #1
Creator (Artist, tribe, or culture): Mary Knight Benson (Yokayo Pomo, Mendocino County, California, 1878–1930) Date: ca. 1905 Gallery: 746 South (Art of Native America: The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection), The Metropolitan Museum of Art
ONE-ROD COILED BOAT BASKET
Geographic location (where it was made): California, United States Medium/materials: Willow shoot foundation, sedge root weft, and dyed bulrush root weft. Dimensions: H. 4 7/16 x W. 10 x D. 22 1/2 in. (11.4 x 25.4 x 57.2 cm)
Classification: Basketry-Containers
The choice of material and colour (brown, a warm neutral & earthy colour) successfully reflects the purpose of the basket, to protect and contain while representing simplicity, stability, and comfort. The basket was designed to hold special objects - valuables or items of power - and the shape and size are practical as the volume it could hold is relatively big. I really like the weaving/coiling technique used to produce this piece, however, this technique would not be able to provide as much support and protection as I would like. I can see myself choosing a material that could highlight the intention of my work while considering the choice of colours so that it is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I could also see myself leaning towards a more practical approach so that the work could be used in daily life.
ORTHOGRAPHIC DRAWING OF OBJECT The object I focused on is my DSLR camera (Canon 700D) because I have been using this camera for over 6/7 years and it holds importance in my life. Photography plays a strong role in my life, in how I remember things, people, events, and emotions. I started taking photos and documenting my daily life as I consider myself to have a terrible memory and believed that taking photos would allow me to document memories of my experiences in life. I have also used it for projects, had it with me almost every time I travel, and it is one of the reasons why I became interested in studying art & design.
STRUCTURAL SKETCH 1
LINEAR ITERATION CONCEPT The main idea behind my two sketches is to create a container that protects my camera. The first sketch was designed specifically for this camera and the attached lens. There is a space at the top created for the camera strap and an extra space and wires would be added below the lens to support the weight and to prevent it from leaning forward when it is rested on a surface. It is intended to be close-fitting so that it encloses the camera securely. The second sketch was designed to be more spacious so that there is more room for the camera. I decided to go with structural sketch 2 in consideration of the thickness of wire and the idea of protecting the camera as there is more space for it. If the wire surrounding the camera could easily scratch the camera body and lens, that would go against the original concept.
STRUCTURAL SKETCH 2
LINEAR ITERATION EXPLANATION OF 1ST ITERATION I created a container/carrier for the Canon 700D using two thicknesses of galvanized wire (18 gauge and 24 gauge). I first created the main frame of the container, a base structure surrounding the edge of the camera. Inspired by the pattern Mary Knight Benson created for the one-rod coiled boat basket, I designed a floral pattern to fill the negative space. The flowers are weaved together on all sides and within each other to provide support for the heavy camera body. Clasps were added to the back to created access to the camera.
top view of linear iteration
close up of flower pattern
close up of clasps
PLANAR ITERATION EXPLANATION OF 2ND ITERATION For the planar iteration, I used cardboard to create a simple rectangle form of a box. I decided not to make alterations to the shape of the structure because I want to convey simplicity throughout each step of the process so that the final design and product could be used to contain different objects.
front view of planer iteration
top view of planer iteration
preliminary outer covering template: folded + covering structure
Due to my interest in film photography, I took inspiration from the packaging of a film box and applied the concept of the packaging into the design of the volumetric model. The front and top planes are intended to overlap to create a more secure closure in the front. To create the preliminary outer covering template for the final model, I drafted each measurement on paper and cut and marked each plane to allow easy and clear identification of each piece.
flat 2D template (exterior)
flat 2D template (interior)
VOLUMETRIC ITERATION EXPLANATION OF 3RD ITERATION
preliminary outer covering template: folded + covering structure (top & front plan opened)
final model
FINAL MODEL EXPLANATION OF FINAL MODEL For the final model, I used an aluminum metal sheet as my main source of material, similar to the wires used in creating the linear iteration, to create a strong and solid external structure. The use of mainly one material, and therefore colour, allowed me to keep the design consistent and simple. To put the pieces together, I riveted the aluminum planes together to keep the exterior design clean, adhering to the overall aesthetic of my work. To create the hinges, I decided to use plastic from a binder as it is durable and could withstand wear and not fall apart after being opened and closed countless times. This container is created to not only house this one object but also other objects that could fit into the box. The practicality of this metal box allows it to be used in different ways by various people.
plane cutouts
experimentation with hinges
PROCESS
layout of the template on top of aluminum sheet metal
PROCESS OPTIONAL IMAGES
riveting side planes to back & bottom planes
experimentation with hinges & ways to attach/sew two planes together
FINAL DESIGN
MATERIALS USED
METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION
0.025 inch thick aluminum sheet, aluminum 1/8" (3mm) rivets, Simply 1/2" 3-ring binder (from Staples)
Each plane is scored and snapped from the aluminum sheet, all edges are sanded to create smooth edges, edges of some planes are folded, side & back & top planes are riveted to create a permanent part assembly, two sets of a plane cutout of the binder and metal strips are riveted to the top and bottom planes to create a hinge.
details of hinges
FINAL DESIGN POSITIVES ABOUT THE PROJECT The structure is overall visually aesthetically pleasing, going along with my initial goal and intention of creating a container that represents simplicity. I was able to explore and experiment with different ways of connecting the materials together, for example, creating a feasible hinge between the top and front planes to the back and bottom planes through making hinges and testing ways of sewing the planes together using different materials and techniques. I was able to hide the plastic with two strips of metal, keeping the visible areas’ aesthetic experience consistent. I was also able to investigate how materiality plays an essential part in the content of the work, the significance of material choices, and how it leads to a sense of “feeling” that is embodied in the work.
IMPROVEMENTS / NEGATIVE ASPECTS An area that needs improvement is the alignment of each plane when drilling and riveting the pieces together. Misalignment of each piece could lead to the overall structure being crooked. A more constant use of a clamp could help create a more accurate alignment. If I had thought through the details of the material better, I could have paid attention to the grain direction of the material. Since the grain direction impacts the material’s behaviour, possible cracking may occur when folding the material. To avoid cracking when bending the material and achieve better results, I could be more consistent with the direction when working with metal in the future, cutting parts in a more uniform way so that the quality could be improved.
details of hinges